Ask Your Brother: Should You Save or Splurge on These Home Renovation Projects?
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
We all know that affordable home renovations and remodeling projects are hard to come by. Between buying new appliances and finishes, all the flooring choices, and the smaller details like lighting and decor, it can really add up. That’s why making smart money choices is so important. You want to make your home reno as budget-friendly as possible without compromising the quality of the work. So, it’s important to have the right tools and home renovation budget tips to ensure you’re making the smartest decisions—that’s where Drew and Jonathan’s advice comes in.
Drew and Jonathan’s biggest tip in the latest Ask Your Brother? Splurge smart. “Mostly everything is a splurge, but you have to splurge the right way,” Drew says. “Just don’t go spending ridiculous amounts of money because of ego or you want to show off for your friends.”
“There should never be a situation where you’re putting something in that you know is going to get ruined,” Jonathan adds. “Why put in real marble when it is the easiest thing to stain? Put in an incredible porcelain product. Put in something like quartzite.”
Splurging on your renovation is all about making smart choices for your lifestyle and longevity—not just for vanity and looks. So, Drew and Jonathan did a deep-dive discussion to give you their perspective on specific splurge-worthy projects and home renovations, and which ones are actually worth your money. And Drew and Jonathan’s renovation budget tips aren’t all about big projects, either! They’ve included some renter-friendly upgrades you can use to spruce up your space, too, like upgrading your lighting or decor. (Psst: Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube for more of Drew and Jonathan’s advice!)
SPLURGE: LED Lights
“The chandelier in my dining room is actually about 50 or 60 lights,” Drew says. “If those were all incandescent, that’s a lot of energy that it’s wasting. So splurge on LED lights.”
“I also believe in future-proofing your home when it comes to electrical,” Jonathan says. “So, getting something like a smart panel or running conduit so you could run future electrical when things change.”
SAVE: Paint
This is an affordable renovation project that won’t take much to have a huge impact. “Get a good quality paint, but don’t feel like you have to go and spend an absolute fortune,” Jonathan says. “In fact, sometimes there’s projects you can tackle yourself and, you know, save a little extra.” When you’re ready to tackle it, you can follow our step-by-step guide, too.
SAVE: Decor and Artwork
Another one of Drew and Jonathan’s renovation budget tips? Save on the small stuff if you can! “When you see our shows—all the decor, a lot of the stuff, photography we put up—we do that for very little money,” Jonathan says. “You can get a beautiful aesthetic for not a lot of money.” It’s true: there are plenty of affordable art ideas out there!
SPLURGE: Luxury Vinyl Flooring
“I am going to say no splurging on hardwood,” Drew says. “If you have a contractor husband, four dogs, and six kids, you’re going to trash those floors in no time.” Instead, he says, “Splurge on some great floors like luxury vinyl. Because it looks like hardwood if you get a quality luxury vinyl, and it will last a long time.”
“Definitely spend on good quality floors,” Jonathan agrees, “but don’t overspend on something that you’re going to trash in no time at all.”
SPLURGE: Everyday Furniture
“This is a splurge item because you should get something that is going to last,” Jonathan says. “This is a piece of furniture every single person uses every single day when they sit down in your living room.” Furniture like sofas can really take a beating, so “you should invest in a good quality anchor piece,” says Jonathan.
Drew & Jonathan Marquee Leather 6 Pc Triple Power Reclining Sectional
Drew & Jonathan Huntington 5 Pc Leather Dual Power Reclining Sectional
SPLURGE: Appliances
“Yes, you should splurge a little to get something that’s going to make life easier,” Drew says. “For example, a front-loader washer/dryer stacked is a good use of space. It could do a load of laundry in 15 minutes. That saves time for families.”
However, these are also items that have frequent sales going on. “Plan in advance,” Jonathan says. “Even if you are maybe a year out from being finished with a project but you know you’re going to need appliances, start shopping now. I bet you there’ll be some big sale, and you could save like 30–40%.”
GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer/Dryer with Ventless Inverter Heat Pump
Ask Your Brother: Drew and Jonathan’s Easy Decorating Ideas for Renters
You’ll keep your security deposit, don’t worry!
Read More
