Long-lasting homeware that won’t break the bank

Ever feel like you’re on a never-ending merry-go-round of buy, break, replace in your home? You’re not alone. It’s a sad fact that affordability and long-lasting quality don’t often come together these days.

If you’re tired of throwing money away on cheap but trendy items that don’t survive daily use, why not try a new approach?  Check out these top buys for the home that are designed to last for the long haul and often pay for themselves in the long run!

Solid wood furniture

It’s true that solid wood furniture generally costs a fair bit more than budget chipboard, ply and MDF options, but quality carpentry that’s properly looked after can last longer than a lifetime.

There’s a reason the furniture in antique stores is almost all solid wood. It’s incredibly hardy when it’s looked after, can be made in any style you can dream of and is super versatile because it can be updated with nothing more than a coat of paint.

The good news is, you don’t have to shell out a fortune to get solid wood furniture, either.

“Trawl your second-hand stores and community sales websites and you’ll find a ton of affordable wooden – or wood-framed and upholstered – items,” They may need a bit of elbow grease to get ship shape, but make for great investment pieces that you can hand down to your children and grandchildren in years to come.

Granite countertops

Granite is one of the most hard-wearing surfaces around and makes beautiful kitchen and bathroom work surfaces that look brand new for decades. Like most investment pieces, granite is more expensive than Formica or melamine,  but spending more now could be well worth it in the future.

Granite not only lasts well and looks great, but also adds value to your home. It’s a mark of quality and is very popular with buyers.

If you’re keen to maximise the value granite tops add to your home, opt for classic kitchen and bathroom designs that appeal to a wide variety of people and don’t date quickly. Avoid bright colours and bold patterns.  Add your style and personality using updatable finishes like wall paint, artwork, and appliances.

LED lighting

LED lighting is a classic example of spending a little to save a lot, and it’s an excellent way to cut down on maintenance as well as day to day expenses.

There’s nothing more annoying than having to regularly change lightbulbs in awkward places on a regular basis.  LED lights last tens of thousands of hours longer than traditional bulbs. They cost a little more at the outset, but since they use far less electricity and barely ever need replacement, they  make up for that initial outlay in savings over their lifetime.

What’s the secret?

The secret to breaking the cycle of poor quality purchases is to curb your desire for instant gratification.

We’re constantly bombarded with magazines, websites and bloggers telling us we’re behind the times if we don’t have the latest item in the latest colour in our homes.  There’s this pressure to buy now, update now, and since most of us aren’t made of money, we often sacrifice quality to be able to do that.

Rather than falling into this trap,  take the time to save up for good quality, big-ticket items.

Buy wisely and buy once – it’s more affordable than you might think.