Clockwise from top left: Heather Clawson, Habitually Chic; Erin Gates, Elements of Style; Kim Johnson, Desire to Inspire; Alissa Swedlow, The GOODS Design; Julie Carlson, Francesca Connolly, Sarah Lonsdale, Janet Hall, Remodelista 

It used to be that stylish ladies matched their shoes to their purse to their lipstick. These days, we understand that such rules are made to be broken. Sharon Stone caused a stir back in the early ‘90s when she wore a Gap tee with a taffeta ball skirt to an awards show. Today, (tasteful) creativity is expected. It’s practically gauche to rock a single designer head to toe. Rather than pulling outfits straight off the catwalks, celeb stylists are concocting individualized looks, and often rely on vintage finds to add flair.

Ditto for interior designers. Where it was once chic to hire a decorator to transform a house into a showplace, these days, most seek a more subtle approach. A more “collected” look is in vogue; one that might incorporate family heirlooms (formerly known as hand-me-downs), store bought purchases, hand-crafted items, and collections that are built over time. Designers aren’t solely relying on brand name merchandise found exclusively in design centers. Rather, they’re scouring flea markets, sites like eBay, and even mass market chains to provide a more financially as well as aesthetically balanced approach.

What’s the best way to get a bang for your buck? And when’s it worth it to splurge? Here’s an inventory of items and opinions:

Sofas

Most argue for spending a decent sum on a sofa, since the goal is comfort and quality. Blogger/designer Heather Clawson, who writes Habitually Chic, points out that you can stretch the investment of a high end sofa even further by choosing upholstery in neutral solids in heavy weight fabrics. “That way,” she says, “you can change out the patterned throw pillows as your style evolves.”  Blogger/designer Alissa Swedlow of the blog The GOODS Design finds that a midrange sofa can suffice if it’s comfortable, especially with some creative customization. She says, “I purchased an affordable sofa for my den from CB2, but I am taking it up a notch by having the seat cushions reupholstered in a funky pattern.” Kim Johnson, co-blogger of Desire to Inspire used to be an advocate of the spend on a sofa club, until she embarked on a DIY project that resulted in “the best and most versatile sofa” she’s ever had.

Chairs

Chairs can go either way. Interior designer/blogger Erin Gates, who writes the blog Elements of Style, likes to spend money on a well-crafted table, but surround it with modern affordable chairs from IKEA. Others, like The GOODS Design's Swedlow, argue that chairs can be as much a piece of art as what you hang on your wall. Plus, she points out that chairs are a portable investment. “If you move, you can always take them with you!” The team at Brooklyn-based blog Remodelista are proponents of spending big on seating, especially iconic stools, reasoning, “stools can be moved from living space, to your dining table, or to the side of a sofa to act as a table.” While Desire to Inspire's Johnson agrees that such pieces are worthy, she points out that vintage versions are often less expensive (and probably better made), so be sure to look for those first.

Dressers, Consoles & Credenzas

Habitually Chic's Clawson and Swedlow agree that when spending big money on home décor, the best strategy is to spend more money on items that have a big visual impact, like an entry table that sets the tone when people first come in, or a console that acts as a focal point. Clawson tells us, “For a recent bachelor pad project, we splurged on a very expensive Ralph Lauren dresser that elevated the bedroom to a whole new level.”

Lighting, Art & Accessories

In that same bedroom, Clawson hung a vintage abstract painting that she bought on eBay for $60. She says, “I buy a lot of vintage paintings and watercolors on eBay, some of which I reframe in thin matching black vintage frames to create the look of a custom collection.” Swedlow agrees that vintage finds are the best way to personalize a space. For instance, she likes to customize inexpensive furniture with interesting hardware. She also mentions vintage keys, which she will mount on a wall with a mix of picture frames. The Remodelista editors cite lighting as great way of updating a room. They are especially into clip lights at the moment, which come in all price points.  

Gates, of Elements of Style, sums it up best by saying “Spend the most money on the things you love; the stuff that keeps you awake at night it's so good. You’ll have those pieces forever and they’ll serve as inspiration for the rest of the room.”

We asked these design five bloggers, some of whom are also interior designers to shop eBay for “high” and “low” finds.

SHOPPING HIGH

1. Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic: Antique Louis Phillipe French Commode Chest of Drawers (buy it now price, $2,950)

2. Kim Johnson of Desire to Inspire:Modern Italian Black Leather Sectional Sofa and Chaise (buy it now price, $1,399)

3. Erin Gates of Elements of Style: Pair of Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Barcelona Chairs c.1970 (buy it now price, $4,695)

4. Remodelista Editors Danish Modern Walnut and Leather Spider Leg Stool (buy it now price, $225)

5. Alissa Swedlow of The GOODs Design: One-of-a-Kind Faux Bois Artist Designed Adirondack Table (buy it now price, $1,275)

SHOPPING LOW

1. Heather Clawson of Habitually Chic: Ron Rizk Signed 1970 Original Abstract Oil Painting (buy it now price, $250)

2. Erin Gates of Elements of Style: Pair of Uzbek Silk Embroidery Suzani Pillow Covers (buy it now price, $24.99)

3. Remodelista editors Danish Modern Stools (buy it now price, $89)

4. Kim Johnson of Desire to Inspire: Black Set of 2 Panton S Chair Office Chairs Non-Glossy (buy it now price, $248.95)

5. Alissa Swedlow of The GOODS Design: Vintage Mallard Duck Solid Brass Door Knocker (buy it now price, $79)

Marni Elyse Katz is a Boston-based writer and editor who covers style, art and design for a variety of publications, including the Boston Globe Magazine, Boston Home and her own blog, Style Carrot.