How I Save Thousands on Home Renovation Projects

Renovating a home is exciting and well worth the effort, but it gets expensive quickly. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money and stretch the budget! After renovating multiple homes over the years, I’ve learned that saving money isn’t about buying the cheapest option. It’s about knowing where to shop, when to wait, and where it’s actually worth investing. Some of these tips have saved us a couple hundred dollars. Others have saved us thousands. Whether you’re planning a full scale renovation or simply replacing a few pieces around your house, these are the strategies I use over and over again. Even if you’re not renovating at the moment, this is a good post to save for later. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did. Click through for some of my tips and 10 ways to save money on major home buys…

While this post is about saving, some items are worth investing in— be sure to read 10 things interior designers always splurge on… and before you begin spending, here’s how to find your home design style. When you understand your aesthetic, design decisions feel clearer, purchasing with your hard earned money feels easier to justify, and your home begins to reflect not just good taste, but your life. Now, here’s how I like to save…

1. Find a Scratch & Dent Warehouse

I was surprised to receive so many messages after sharing where we purchased our laundry units. When we moved into our home, we needed a washer and dryer immediately. Given our budget and timing, I knew the best solution was a quick trip to the local scratch and dent warehouse for a set. Nearly every city has one, and they’re absolutely worth visiting. I just googled “scratch and dent” and found multiple appliance stores in my city.

Our Maytag washer has a scratch on the backside that no one will ever see. The dryer couldn’t be sold as new because the shipping box was damaged. After careful inspection, we couldn’t find another flaw. Years later, they’re still working like a charm. If you’re shopping for appliances, this is always one of the first places I’d recommend looking. Cosmetic imperfections can save you hundreds of dollars without affecting performance. We saved a ton of money buying our appliances this way.

2. Shop Outlet Stores

Outlet stores are another favorite resource. They sometimes get a bad rep, but I’ve found incredible deals on furniture, lighting, plumbing fixtures, rugs, and decor over the years. You can find some amazing deals if you’re willing to invest the time to dig. When living in Ohio, I often visited the Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn outlets.

Many items are customer returns, discontinued styles, or overstock inventory, which means they’re often deeply discounted. One of my favorite finds was a Kohler farmhouse sink that originally retailed for around $750. It was marked down to $200 simply because it had been displayed in the showroom. Shopping at outlets takes patience, but that’s often where the best deals are hiding.

3. Buy Vintage or Secondhand Furniture

You had to know this tip was coming! My favorite way to save money is by finding vintage, thrifted, or secondhand items. I actually devoted an entire post to 5 ways to score quality, high-end furniture on a budget. Older furniture is often built better than many new pieces, and it adds so much character that you simply can’t buy off a showroom floor. Some of my favorite pieces in our home are vintage finds, and ironically, they were also the least expensive. I think that’s because I know what to look for when shopping for vintage furniture.

The same goes for used items… you’d be surprised what people get rid of and how little they ask for the price. Antique stores, estate sales, Facebook Marketplace, and local classifieds are full of solid wood furniture. Here’s how to find and shop home estate sales, by the way… it’s easier to hit the good ones than you think! If you’re willing to put in a little extra work here’s how to reupholster antique chairs.

4. Ask About Floor Models

One afternoon I stopped into Pottery Barn on a whim and immediately regretted it. Our exact sectional (same configuration, but slightly different color), nearly identical to the one we had, was being sold as a floor model for half of what we’d paid for it. Lesson learned. Many retailers rotate their displays seasonally and get rid of floor models. I’ve since learned to ask the store manager when displays will change. I’ve even put down a deposit on a floor model before it officially became available so I wouldn’t miss out. It never hurts to ask. It’s another easy way to save money!

5. Don’t Overlook Remnants

Remnants are one of the best kept secrets in renovating. Whether I’m looking for stone, fabric, or any other material with excess, it’s an amazing way to save a lot of money. I always ask what remnants are available before ordering full slabs or bolts. I bought nero marble remnants for our guest bathroom countertops and they turned out beautifully. I actually have a post dedicated to this exact topic: how to save money and shop stone remnants in a slab yard.

I do this for fabric a lot too. Designers typically buy a bolt and often have leftover yardage after completing custom drapery projects. Those pieces may not be large enough for another window treatment, but they’re perfect for pillows, bench cushions, or smaller upholstery projects. It’s an easy win— designer fabric for A LOT less.

6. Always Search for Discount Codes

This has become second nature for me. When shopping online, I always scan the internet for a discount code or coupon before completing my purchase. Sometimes it’s a seasonal sale. Sometimes it’s an influencer coupon. Sometimes I’ll even buy coupons from eBay… yes- that’s a thing! You just have to do the math to see if it’s worth it. Occasionally it’s a first purchase discount for joining an email list. Those savings may seem small individually, but they add up quickly over the course of an entire renovation.

7. Mark Your Calendar for Warehouse Sales

Some of the best shopping happens only once or twice each year. Many furniture retailers host annual warehouse sales where they clear discontinued inventory, showroom pieces, photography samples, and returns. They literally open up their warehouse and mark everything down, making room for new inventory. It’s basically like a big yard sale for product they need to get rid of quickly.

I like to scout the warehouse sales in advance, mark my calendar, and get there early for the best deals. It can be a little crowded and chaotic, but the savings are worth it. I still remember shopping my first McGee & Co. and Alice Lane warehouse sales years ago. It was really fun! There were food trucks, long lines, and plenty of excitement, but there were also incredible bargains that made the early morning worthwhile. Who doesn’t love a shopping day- especially when bargains are involved? If you have favorite home retailers, sign up for their emails so you know when these events are happening.

8. Invest in Quality the First Time

This is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years. Emmett and I have a simple rule when making major purchases. We discuss it with each other before buying, but most importantly— we stick to our philosophy. If it’s something we’ll use every day and we can afford the better version, we buy quality the first time. Even though it’s easier and cheaper to buy an inexpensive item of lower quality, we always opt to spend more for something we won’t need to replace in a couple of years.

We purchased our very first sofa from West Elm, which was in a lower price range. We liked the way it looked, but it wasn’t very comfortable… and it didn’t hold up very well. The cushions shifted and warped, and we basically hated it. Lesson learned. Immediately after moving into our second home, we doubled our budget and bought a custom sectional. We splurged for quality material, a slipcover, and comfortable down cushions, made in North Carolina. Had we purchased the more expensive sofa first, we wouldn’t have wasted money and we would’ve been more comfortable for years. Buying cheap, low-quality products sometimes costs you more in the long run. Quality doesn’t always mean choosing the most expensive option. It means buying something that’s well made, comfortable, and built to last. In many cases, spending a little more upfront actually saves money in the long run. Here’s how to order custom upholstery like a pro.

9. Do It Yourself When It Makes Sense

One of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to renovate multiple homes is that we’re willing to learn new skills. We tackle almost every project ourselves, meaning we pay only for materials instead of labor. You can save a lot of money tackling projects yourself. Of course, some projects belong in the hands of licensed professionals.

We’re big advocates for expanding our skillset and taking on new challenges; the icing on the cake is saving a lot of money. In the event you do need a contractor, shop around. Here’s how to find and hire a reliable contractor.

10. Buy More to Save More

If you’re renovating multiple rooms, consider increasing your total quantity rather than buying supplies room-by-room. Many suppliers offer better pricing when you purchase larger quantities, whether for flooring, plumbing fixtures, lighting, or appliances.

Emmett and I were appliance shopping on Black Friday before beginning our kitchen renovation. During a Black Friday promotion, Lowe’s offered discounts when customers purchased multiple appliances together. Since we were buying five, we negotiated a price even better than the advertised sale. We weren’t planning to buy all five right then, but the savings proved worthwhile. Planning ahead helped us save significantly more than buying everything individually.

Questions?

Related Posts

Looking for more ways to save money or make your home look more expensive? You might find some of the following posts helpful! Give these a read…

• 50 Traditional Home Finds From Amazon That Look Expensive
• The Best Budget Curtains That Look Custom
• 20 Things That Make a Home Feel Expensive
• How to Thrift Books Like a Designer
• How to Turn Inexpensive Framed Art Into Custom Artwork
• 5 Ways to Score Quality, High-End Furniture On a Budget
• How to Save Money and Shop Stone Remnants in a Slab Yard
• 10 Budget-Friendly Ways to Instantly Refresh Your Kitchen
• How to Make a Basic Ottoman Look Custom and High-End

Renovating your home doesn’t have to mean blowing your budget. Some of my favorite rooms have come together because I waited for the right deal, bought secondhand, or found a creative alternative instead of paying full price. The biggest savings usually come from being patient and knowing where to look— not from cutting corners. Hopefully a few of these ideas help you stretch your budget a little further on your next project. Are there any other ways you save money on major home or renovation purchases? I’d love to hear your best money saving tips in the comments below!