As a Designer, I Know Exactly Where to Invest – and Where You Can Save: The 5 Key Elements That Transform a House into a Home That Feels Effortless, Beautiful, and Truly Exceptional

Interior designer Jess Cooney is one of Homes & Gardens' new Editors-At-Large for By Design, sharing her thoughts on decor through her lens of soft light, vintage pieces, and a sepia-tinged palette. See the rest of her articles here.

A renovation often begins with a feeling. Your vision for your home doesn’t always align with the space as it currently exists. There are things you love and things you’re eager to change, and you know your home could serve you better. You know how you want to feel in the space – but bridging the gap between reality and your dream home can feel overwhelming.

The key question becomes: Which choices should you prioritize to add lasting value? How do you invest in elements that support your goals for the space while ensuring beauty, function, and durability for years to come?

The truth is, you can’t predict every interior design trend or taste shift. Some elements will inevitably feel outdated over time – but that’s okay. Items like throw pillows or playful wallpaper can bring joy in the moment, even if they’re replaced down the line. Part of designing a home is embracing those moments of fun without worrying about permanence.

Our role as designers is to help you distinguish between fleeting trends and true investments in your home. We guide you toward decisions that are timeless, enduring, and aligned with your vision, balancing beauty, longevity, and budget. We help you lay the foundation for a home that not only elevates your lifestyle but also honors your personal story.

High-quality millwork is among the most transformative elements in a home. Custom cabinetry, paneled walls, interior doors, and built-in storage shape a home’s architecture in ways that often go unnoticed – but their impact is profound. Millwork brings quiet order, unifies spaces, and delivers daily functionality that off-the-shelf solutions simply cannot match. When thoughtfully designed and expertly crafted, it becomes part of a home’s identity – aging gracefully, solving practical challenges effortlessly, and grounding each room with a sense of permanence.

The same principle applies to the kitchen, the heart of the home where daily routines and family gatherings converge. It is the hardest-working room, used from morning until night. Quality cabinetry, durable surfaces, intuitive layouts, and reliable appliances are not about indulgence – they are about creating a space that supports the way you live.

A kitchen designed with intention becomes the anchor of a home, where function and beauty coexist seamlessly. Flooring deserves this same level of consideration, even if it is often overlooked. As the largest continuous surface in a home, it sets the tone for every room. High-quality materials – whether site-finished hardwood, natural stone, or handmade tile – offer warmth, durability, and a visual continuity that cheaper alternatives cannot replicate.

Flooring is a long-term investment; while inferior options reveal their shortcomings quickly, carefully chosen materials only grow richer and more characterful with time.

Reclaimed wide-plank flooring is a prime example of this philosophy. With the character of age already imprinted in its boards, it patinas beautifully over time. Reusing these materials gives them new life and a depth that cannot be achieved with any modern substitute. For flooring like this, cutting corners is never an option.

Another piece of advice: don’t skimp on what goes behind the walls. Thoughtful lighting ideas soften corners, highlight textures, warm the mood of a room, and set the emotional tone for everyday living. Its impact may be subtle, but it is profound. You have one opportunity to get it right – before the insulation goes in and the walls are closed for good.

Lighting and electrical planning are some of the most influential elements in a home. Beautiful lighting not only brings architecture to life and creates ambience but also allows for seamless integration of technology, security, and task-oriented functionality where it’s most needed.

Equally important, yet often overlooked, is the primary suite. This is the one part of your home designed entirely for you – a retreat within your home. You’ve worked hard to create a custom space for your family, your guests, and yourself, so make this room a sanctuary. It should be a place of comfort and quiet: a bath, a few hours reading by the window, or even a restorative nap. Investing here is investing in your daily well-being.

Ultimately, a home renovation is defined not by how much you spend, but by where you choose to invest wisely. Millwork, the kitchen, flooring, lighting and electrical upgrades, and the primary suite form the backbone of a home that is both functional and enduring. These are the areas where thoughtful investment continues to pay dividends long after the renovation dust has settled, shaping spaces that feel intentional, cohesive, and deeply lived-in for years to come.