A custom home represents a fresh start – and a future of unlimited potential. While you will select a host of amenities throughout the design and build process, there are inevitably some items that you need to buy or plan for as construction is underway and after moving in. 

When it’s time to get your new home up and running, you will want to be ready with all the conveniences and comforts you need as well as a cohesive design. We’ll share a list of the most common purchases custom homebuyers make so you can prepare to integrate them into your home and your budget.

Realizing Your Dream Home Room-by-Room

For those who have just built a custom home, post-move expenses typically fall into two main categories:

  • Furniture
  • Soft Goods & Décor (e.g. bedding, pillows, throws, cloth window treatments, area rugs, artwork etc.)

Of course, you most likely have furniture and décor from your current home that you intend to take with you and incorporate into your new home. As you go through the design and build process, keep in mind how these pieces will work together and fit in the spaces of your custom home, as well as what new pieces you will need to complement them. If you are upgrading to a larger home, you may have entire rooms that need to be furnished, so it is best to be prepared. To give you a sense of what it may cost to furnish and decorate your home, we have created a breakdown of your key rooms

The Living Room

This is typically the largest room in the home, and it is often a central meeting/entertaining space. Must-haves and common price ranges:

  • Sofa: $2500 – $5000
  • Living Room Chair: $1000 – $3000 each (recommended: 2)
  • Coffee Table: $1000 – $3000
  • Side/End Tables: $500 – $2000 (recommended: 2)
  • Lamps: $350 – $1500 (recommended: 2 table lamps, 1 floor lamp for larger room)
  • Rug: $2000 – $8000
  • Pillows: $400 – $1500
  • Cloth Window Treatments: $800 – $5000
  • Art/Mirror: $1000 – $5000
  • Accessories: $500 – $1500
  • The Dining Room

Another focal point of a custom home, the dining room will become the scene for family gatherings, holidays, feasts, and celebrations.

  • Dining Table: $2000 – $5000
  • Dining Chair: $200 – $1500 (recommended: 6)
  • Buffet/Sideboard: $2000 – $5000
  • Rug: $1500 – $8000
  • Art/Mirror: $1000 – $5000
  • Chandelier: $1500 – $5000
  • Sconces: $1500 (recommended: 2)
  • Cloth Window Treatments: $800 – $5000
  • Accessories: $500 – $1500
"When it’s time to get your new home up and running, you will want to be ready with all the conveniences and comforts you need as well as a cohesive design."

The Bedroom

  • The bedroom should be a calm, beautiful oasis. Make sure it is with:
  • Bed: $2000 – $5000
  • Bedding and Pillows: $600 – $2000
  • Rug: $1500 – $8000
  • Bench: $2500
  • Dresser: $1500 – $3000
  • Nightstands: $1000 – $2000 (recommended: 2)
  • Table Lamps: $200 – $1000
  • Cloth Window Treatments: $800 – $5000
  • Mirror/Art: $500 – $5000
  • Accessories: $500 – $1500

*Costs will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the room, number of pieces, your style, specific manufacturers, the price points of artworks, etc.

Curating the Perfect Look

Curating the look you want in your home is not just about buying furnishings and soft goods. It’s about using your space in an intentional, meaningful way, about setting the scene for the experiences you want to enjoy in your home – and in your life. Consider the items that you will need to bring your vision to life as we go through the design and build phases. This way, it is not an overwhelming task upon move-in. Rather, it is another enjoyable, satisfying step of the process.

We have seen dreams become reality for many homeowners. Here are a few tips for your journey:

  • Try spreading the expense of your new items out over the time during which your home is being built. Move-in items won’t be a surprise. They will be integrated into your project budget.
  • Consider offloading old items that may not fit into your new house. Usable items in good shape can be sold online (Craigslist, Nextdoor, Decluttr, 5Miles, Facebook Marketplace, and LetGo) or at a yard/garage sale. (If you prefer, you can also donate items to your local church, shelter, daycare, or other organization that could use them. Receipts are available for tax deduction purposes as well).
  • Focus on central rooms first, such as the living room, dining room, and bedroom(s). You can use the time to find the right look for other rooms and gradually create (and curate) your ideal looks.
  • Work with a designer. An interior designer’s services may cost $2000 – $5000. These professionals can provide terrific guidance and suggestions, and they can also help you source interesting, unique, and cost-effective pieces from their network of vendors and suppliers. Integrating interior design services into your project at the early stages can help you maximize your budget – and minimize your stress.

The team at G&G Custom Homes wants to ensure you avoid the stresses involved in the average custom home build. Your living space should be a reflection of you, and when you add furnishings and features that surround you in beauty, warmth, and comfort, your custom house truly becomes a home.

Let Us Help

Determining and planning for cost is one of the most challenging aspects of building a custom home. To help, we created a handy Budget Calculator to help you learn how numbers typically break down and to prioritize finishes that are most important to you. As always, we are here to answer any questions.

Are you looking for the right custom home builder to help you bring your unique vision to life in a house that is built for living?

At G&G Custom Homes, our team is committed to helping you customize your home, contact us for a free consultation to get started.

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