Smart Tips to Save Money on Interiors (With Practical Examples)
Interior design can easily cross your budget if not planned smartly. But you don’t need to compromise on quality or aesthetics. Here’s how to get the best value for every rupee spent:
Use Laminate Finish Instead of Acrylic or PU
Why it saves money:
Laminate costs ₹80–₹120/sqft
Acrylic starts from ₹250/sqft, and PU paint costs ₹300–₹450/sqft
Where to use:
Wardrobes, TV units, kitchen cabinets
Practical Tip:
Use 1 mm matte or textured laminate for a premium look at low cost
Brands: Greenlam, Century, Merino
2. Mix Modular and Ready-Made Furniture
Why it saves money:
Modular furniture (factory-finished) saves on-site labor cost
Readymade furniture is often cheaper during sales
Where to use:
Sofa sets, dining table, TV units, wardrobes
Practical Tip:
Use IKEA, Pepperfry, Urban Ladder, Amazon for online deals
For TV units or wardrobes, consider modular factory-made items from local interior vendors
3. Keep False Ceiling Minimal
Why it saves money:
False ceiling costs ₹130–₹180/sqft (gypsum);
skipping 200 sqft saves ₹30,000+
Where to avoid:
Kitchen, bathrooms, or small bedrooms
Practical Tip:
Do only a border/cove design with LED strip in the living room
Use ceiling lights or surface panels instead of embedded spotlights
4. Use Texture Paint or Wallpaper Only on Accent Walls and primer on Except them
Why it saves money:
Texture paint costs ₹100–₹150/sqft
Applying it on one wall instead of all saves ₹10,000+
Where to apply:
Behind TV unit, bed back wall, or dining area
Practical Tip:
Use Asian Paints Royale Play or Dulux Velvet Touch for accent walls
Try removable wallpaper (₹50–₹80/sqft) in rental homes
5. Choose Budget Lighting Smartly
Why it saves money:
Designer lights cost ₹3,000–₹6,000
LED panels, surface mounts, and track lights cost ₹300–₹1,000
Where to use:
Use designer lights in the living room only
Use LED batten lights for utility areas
Practical Tip:
Buy from local electrical shops or online (Crompton, Syska, Philips)
Mix warm white (living/bedroom) with cool white (kitchen/study)
6. Avoid Over-Customization
Why it saves money:
Custom-built furniture = high carpenter cost + material wastage
What to avoid:
Curved wardrobes, sliding doors, round kitchens, built-in sofas
Practical Tip:
Use standard-sized modules for wardrobes (6×7 ft), kitchen units (2 ft depth)
Stick to L-shape or parallel kitchen layouts
7. Buy Materials Yourself (If Possible)
Why it saves money:
Contractors add 10–20% margin on material purchases
What to buy:
Plywood, laminates, tiles, hardware, light fittings
Practical Tip:
Visit local wholesalers or B2B stores (like Plymart, Kajaria warehouse, CERA outlet)
Buy in bulk or during Diwali / monsoon clearance sales
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8. Plan Room-Wise Budget in Advance
Why it saves money:
Prevents overspending on one room and shortage in another
How to plan:
Room Suggested Budget
Living Room ₹1.5 Lakh
Kitchen ₹1.8 Lakh
Bedrooms ₹1.5–2 Lakh each
Bathroom ₹35K–₹50K
Practical Tip:
Allocate budget based on priority — focus more on kitchen and wardrobes than décor
9. Buy Decor & Soft Furnishing Online
Why it saves money:
Local shops often sell bedsheets, curtains, lamps at 2x price
What to buy:
Bedsheets, pillow covers, artificial plants, clocks, runners
Practical Tip:
Buy from Amazon, Myntra Home, Dmart Ready, IKEA online
Watch for combo deals, coupon codes, and season-end sales
10. Avoid High-Maintenance Materials
Why it saves money:
Reduces long-term cleaning & repair costs
What to avoid:
High-gloss white acrylic, fabric sofas, grooved panels, open shelves
Practical Tip:
Go for matte laminates, closed storage, easy-to-wipe surfaces
Use PVC marble sheets or WPC panels instead of expensive tiles for walls
BONUS TIP:
Hire a Smart Designer or Use a Layout Planner
> Sometimes, spending a little on expert planning saves lakhs in execution.
If you can’t hire a designer:
Use free design software like SketchUp or Floorplanner
Visit home décor expos to get quotes and ideas