Budget Splurges vs. Saves in Our Custom Build
- Dani
- Jan 29
- 4 min read
When you build a custom home, everyone tells you the same thing:
“Pick your splurges wisely.”
What they don’t tell you is how hard that actually is when every single decision feels permanent and expensive.
Looking back, there are choices we’re so glad we splurged on — and others that were beautiful, but not necessary. If you’re building (or dreaming of building), here’s a real breakdown of where our money was well spent… and where we probably could’ve saved without sacrificing the overall look or function of our home.
The Splurges
These are the things we notice every single day and would 100% do again.
Custom shower doors
I will never not talk about these so I'm sorry if you've read this at least ten times on my blog. 😂 This was one of those upgrades that felt extra at the time... but now? SO worth it. The clean lines, custom sizing, and overall polished look elevate the entire bathroom without even trying. Stock doors would’ve worked, but these make the space feel finished and intentional. My husband will love that line hahaha. He thought I was insane at the time. Probably still does.
Decorative tile
We only did this in three small areas of our home which made it less "splurge-like" (bathrooms and laundry room), but it's such a fun detail I'm proud we picked. Tile is one of those areas where a little personality goes a long way and choosing tile we truly loved made the spaces feel custom instead of builder-grade.
Heated tile floors
Yes, it’s a splurge. No, I will never apologize for it. Cold tile in the winter is criminal, and heated floors make mornings infinitely better. This is one of those upgrades you don’t realize how much you’ll love until you have it.
Taller ceilings
Higher ceilings instantly make a home feel larger and more open. Even without changing square footage, the added height gave us that airy, custom-home feel especially in shared living spaces like our dining / living / kitchen area.
High pile carpet
We upgraded to a high-pile, plush carpet with premium padding in our kids’ rooms, and it was one of the best comfort splurges we made. It’s soft, cozy, and genuinely luxurious underfoot — perfect for playtime, reading on the floor, and early mornings. We didn’t need it throughout the entire house, but for bedrooms? Absolutely worth it.
Large front doors & statement entryway
I mean… HELLO BEAUTIFUL. The front entry sets the tone for the entire home, and this was one of our favorite design moments. Every time we walk in, it feels special. Low key I've dreamed of this entry way since I was a kid. And it over looks a view I couldn't even imagine would be ours one day. So grateful.
Black windows
For us, black windows were an upgrade but they completely changed the look of the exterior and interior. They added contrast, modern character, and tied in with the overall aesthetic we were going for.
Retractable sink faucets
This feels small, but it’s one of those functional upgrades that makes everyday life easier. Cleaning sinks, rinsing kids’ messes — all better with this feature. I have it linked on my storefront if you're on the hunt for a new sink faucet!
Back deck with stairs
We debated waiting on this, but we're glad we didn't! Also when building a house, you always say "let's wait" and it never happens... so we went for it. This was both a lifestyle and resale splurge (however I never want to resell I love this house so much). The stairs made the yard more usable, connected the indoor and outdoor spaces, and created a natural flow for entertaining. Zero regrets!
The Saves
These are things I still love — but if we were cutting the budget tighter, I know we could’ve lived without.
Light fixtures
This one surprises people, but hear me out. Everyone will tell you that you have to go to a lighting showroom, but you don’t. I found high-quality, beautiful fixtures right on Amazon, and they’ve been perfect. Shopping online saved us time, money, and decision fatigue, and the quality has honestly been great. This is one area where you can absolutely save without sacrificing style.
Mirrors
Same story as lighting. There are so many affordable, beautiful mirror options online, and they make a big impact without a big price tag. Specifically the ones on my Amazon storefront we used!
Cabinet pulls & handles
This is one of my biggest “save” recommendations. Hardware is such an easy DIY upgrade, and you can completely change the look of cabinets later for minimal cost. We did black handles on everything and it was much more cost effective on Amazon!
Tubs
My tub is literally from Menards and was on sale. You don't need to spend thousands on a fancy tub! We looked at so many that were upwards of $5,000. Like why?!? Spend that somewhere else, in my opinion haha.
Faux wood flooring
This one is controversial these days but faux wood flooring has come a LONG way. It’s durable, kid-friendly, and budget-conscious. In high-traffic areas, it made a lot of sense for us. And honestly, I don't think you can even tell the difference in our floor!
Custom cabinets
Okay, confession time: they are GORGEOUS. But if I’m being honest? We could’ve lived without full custom cabinets and still loved our home. Semi-custom or upgraded stock cabinets would’ve saved a significant amount without sacrificing functionality. BUT this is our forever home, so we went all in.
Recessed ceilings
We did this in our master bedroom… and I’ll admit it — I was being a princess 😅. They’re beautiful, but not necessary. If we were trimming costs, this would’ve been an easy place to pull back.
Final takeaway: pick what you live with, not just what you look at
If there’s one thing I learned from this process, it’s this: Splurge on what you touch, use, and feel every day. Save on what you can change later.
Your dream home doesn’t have to mean blowing the budget, it just means being intentional.
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