Many designers don’t like the word “budget.” To them it implies limitation and restriction, and they prefer to think of design as an investment—in your lifestyle, entertaining and family comfort. Still, it is important to be realistic when deciding how much you plan to spend on your design project. (Don’t go by what you see on TV-show makeovers!) Here are some tips for setting a target amount for your design investment:

 Make an overall plan for a room, assuming that money is no object. Start by filling in the key pieces such as the couch, chairs, coffee table, armoire, etc. Then add the next layer of items, such as drapes, window treatments, rugs, end tables, lamps and large artwork. After that, add accessories, throw pillows, secondary art and wall items, and any other accent furniture. Set a timetable for your project (a few weeks, several months or even years) and add these things step by step.

 If you are not going to do the project all at once, decide which pieces are most important to you—your must-haves—and focus on those.

 If you don’t know how much you want to spend on a project, think about how much you don’t want to spend first.

 Make allowances for construction costs and product upgrades. You can generally bank on a project going over what you expect to spend, so realize that from the beginning instead of being surprised at the completion. 

Invest in quality, and add items as you can afford them. You can update your look inexpensively with accessories once you have large pieces of furniture that you can live with for years.

 When looking through magazines and compiling your list of “wants,” don’t exclude something due to the cost. As you plan your project, you may find you are able to afford that luxury item you thought would blow the budget.

Designers say the cost for the complete interior design of your home starting from scratch—furniture, rugs, window treatments and accessories (excluding fine art and antiques)—should equal about 20 to 25 percent of the cost of your house. Within that number, about 75 percent should go toward furniture and other major elements, with 25 percent put toward accessories.