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Community Corner

Which Home Items Are Worth the Splurge?

More of us are choosing between big-ticket home items, proving a little luxury goes a long way when your interior needs a facelift.

Written by Julia Halewicz

The center of the home moves from the yard to the family room this time of year, which means you’re probably noticing more than a few pieces of furniture and home appliances that need a change after a summer of neglect.

But which items are worth the splurge? The National Retail Federation (NRF), which tracks consumer spending habits, is calling this an “either/or economy,” meaning, we’ll spend on one big-ticket item or on discretionary items, but not on both.

Shoppers are thinking carefully about how they spend, according to the NRF, so what are your priorities? 

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Will you buy an inexpensive couch so you can replace your oven, which tends to last longer? Couches can range from $319 for this Ikea version to $9,828 for an Eames Sofa. Ovens have surprisingly similar price ranges, costing $349 for a Hotpoint from Home Depot to $12,053 for a Viking professional grade oven range from BuyRite.

Or do you think spending $4,000 on a Williams-Sonoma Home area rug will turn your grandma’s coffee table from garage sale candidate to mid-century modern and ultimately save you from a complete room makeover? 

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Or maybe you’ll forgo the couch altogether so you can buy a 38-inch TV for approximately $460, which was the average cost at the end of 2011.   

TELL US: Which home items are worth the splurge? And what local retailers offer the best value for your money? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.

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