Budget Breakdowns: What It Really Costs to Furnish a Room

Anastasia Studio
Dec 9
3 min read

Furnishing a room from scratch can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to understand what things should cost. Whether you’re buying everything new or mixing in existing pieces, having a realistic budget helps you make smarter decisions, avoid surprises, and create a finished space that feels polished and intentional.

In this post, I’m breaking down what it really costs to furnish one of the most important rooms in the home when it comes to comfort and time spent—the living room. I’ve broken these down to three common budget levels: Essential, Elevated, and Luxury. These aren’t exact numbers, but they’re accurate ranges based on today’s market and the quality I recommend to clients.

Living Room Budget Breakdown

The living room is the heart of the home—and often the most expensive room to furnish. I always tell my clients to invest in good upholstery pieces, and the living room is no exception – especially for the high-touch pieces that you use daily. Quality matters here: you get what you pay for, and the wrong items (especially a poorly made sofa) can cost you more in the long run.

Here is what you can expect to spend.

Level 1: Essential Budget ($6,000–$10,000)

Great for: starter homes, first-time furnishings, rental-friendly spaces

Typical Costs

Sofa: $1,200–$2,500
Coffee table: $200–$700
Side tables (2): $150–$350 each
Rug (8x10): $300–$800
Media console: $350–$900
Accent chairs (1–2): $300–$700 each
Floor + table lamps: $150–$400 each
Accessories & art: $300–$800
Window treatments: $300–$700

What this budget gets you:

Solid, attractive pieces from well-priced retail brands. Expect simple construction, synthetic fabrics, and smaller-scale pieces. It’s absolutely possible to create a beautiful room—you just need to prioritize. You could also invest in a well-made sofa and then scour the second-hand market to find reasonably priced coffee tables, side tables and chairs.

Level 2: Elevated Budget ($17,500–$40,000)

Great for: homeowners investing for the next 5–10 years

Typical Costs

Sofa: $3,500–$7,000
Coffee table: $1,000–$3,000
Side tables: $500–$1,000 each
Rug (9x12): $2,000–$5,500
Media console: $1,500–$3,000
Accent chairs (2): $1,000–$2,500 each
Lighting: $1,000–$2,300 total
Custom pillows + textiles: $1,000–$2,200
Accessories & art: $1,500-$5,000
Window treatments (custom): $3,000–$5,000

What this budget gets you:

Higher-quality fabrics, better frame construction, natural materials, and semi-custom options. Scale and proportions will be more refined, and the room will have a more “designed” look.

Level 3: Luxury Budget ($45,000–$95,000+)

Great for: forever homes, custom builds, or refined, curated interiors

Typical Costs

Sofa (custom or trade): $8,000–$20,000+
Coffee table (custom or stone): $3,000–$10,000
Side tables: $1,000–$3,000 each
Rug (hand-knotted): $7,000–$15,000
Media console (custom millwork): $7,000–$15,000
Accent chairs (designer/trade): $3,000–$8,000 each
Lighting (decorative designer pieces): $2,000–$5,000
Artwork & accessories: $5,000–$10,000
Window treatments (motorized or designer fabrics): $5,000–$15,000

What this budget gets you:

Exceptional craftsmanship, heirloom-quality materials, designer furnishings, and fully custom pieces tailored perfectly to your home. Every detail is elevated.

How to Decide Which Budget Level Is Right for You?

A good rule of thumb:

Invest more in the pieces you touch and use every single day (sofas, vintage rugs).
Spend less on purely decorative pieces when the budget is tight.
Plan the whole room at once, even if purchases are phased over time. The space will look more cohesive and gives you a framework when making purchases down the road.
Be sure to add some unique pieces that make you smile as these items will bring you joy daily. Your friends will notice, and they’ll be the most talked about items in your living room.

A thoughtful, intentional plan always leads to better results.