It can be pricey to design a space from scratch—especially the bedroom. From bed frames to dressers and nightstands, just the essential pieces can add up. But since we spend so much of our lives snoozing, lounging, and getting ready in the bedroom, it’s not an area you want to restrict yourself in.

Luckily, there are ways to give your bedroom all the love it deserves without breaking the bank. It’s simply a matter of investing in the right items and saving where you can. After all, some furnishings and decor can even benefit from a lighter price tag—or a thrifted version.

Ahead, three designers share the bedroom items not worth splurging on, and what alternatives to focus on instead.

Rugs

A good quality rug is often associated with a hefty price tag, but that’s not always the case. Interior designer Mary Kathryn Wells suggests opting for a 100 percent wool rug, since synthetic fibers and cotton rugs wear faster.

“Because bedrooms tend to get less heavy-duty shoe traffic, you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot on a rug for this room, and you can absolutely find a decent 100 percent wool rug that doesn’t cost a lot on discount websites like Wayfair, Target, or Rugs.com,” Wells explains. “I have inexpensive rugs in most of the bedrooms in my own home but they are all 100 percent wool.” 

Emily LaMarque, founder and principal of Emily LaMarque Design Studio, also finds that you can get creative with which types of rugs you use.

“Instead of a large rug that can get costly, use sheepskins on the floor on either side of the bed to give your feet a cozy landing spot when getting in and out of bed,” LaMarque suggests. “IKEA’s inexpensive sheepskins are a favorite staple.”

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Lighting

Lighting is another category you can use your imagination with to get a stunning look on a budget. 

“From a small table lamp to a plug-in wall sconce, there are a multitude of affordable lighting options out there that look fantastic,” LaMarque notes.

Wells in particular recommends World Market and Pooky for budget-friendly lighting options.

“I’m absolutely obsessed with Pooky for lamp offerings that look way more expensive than they are,” she elaborates. “I love a good patterned lampshade in fun colors and Pooky offers them in some really [great] combinations—at an unusually accessible price point considering how much those lampshades tend to cost.”

Or, you can sprinkle in some DIY touches.

“Buy a cheap lamp base from Target but upgrade the lampshade with something other than a plain white shade,” Wells suggests.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are always worth investing in, but that doesn’t mean you have to shell out a ton of money for them. Wells, for one, finds that the IKEA Racka curtain rod set, paired with affordable drapes, works wonders.

“In fact, I have a client who has relatively high-end taste but had never had real window treatments in her primary bedroom, and she was shocked at how much an IKEA rod and drapery panels elevated her bedroom,” Wells says.

If you enjoy waking up to the morning light, you can even forego window treatments altogether and welcome the natural light that pours in, LaMarque notes.

“If light doesn’t bother you, but privacy is an issue, you can always add a simple and minimal drapery rod with a premade sheer panel that obscures the view to the outside,” LaMarque adds.

Artwork and Accessories

Designers agree that excessive artwork in the bedroom doesn’t need to be a priority.

“The bedroom is a place that can be more calm and restful, and often clutter and excessive visual stimulation can amp up a space rather than decompress it,” LaMarque explains. “Less is generally more in the bedroom–go for one statement piece of art and reduce decorative accessories.”

The same goes for larger items. 

“For example, mirrors, lamps, and throw blankets are all great items to tie the room’s design together without breaking the bank,” Marissa Nelums, founder and principal designer of Glasshouse Interiors, says. “I would even recommend thrifting these items to get a better quality for a fraction of the price.”

Headboard

A bed frame without a headboard often brings to mind images of scrappy college dorm rooms. But the truth is, headboards can cost a chunk of change—and can be substituted for equally impressive alternatives.

“A bedroom can still look great without a headboard or bed frame,” LaMarque notes. “Instead, splurge on a quality mattress that will contribute to great sleep and hang a large textile above the bed in place of a headboard to bring in color, pattern, and visual interest.”