10 things you can cheap out on without regretting it

Some things are worth investing in. Others—honestly—aren’t. Whether it’s materials, tools, or decor, there are certain areas where you can save money without paying for it later. These are the things you can usually skimp on without regret.

Paint Rollers

Unless you’re painting textured walls or ceilings, you don’t need a high-end roller. Most mid-range ones get the job done just fine without shedding or streaking. The key is to choose the right nap for your surface.

You’re better off buying two decent rollers than spending top dollar on one that gets clogged with dried paint after a few uses. As long as you clean them promptly, they’ll hold up well enough for most projects.

Lawn Tools for Small Yards

If you’re maintaining a small suburban yard, you don’t need commercial-grade tools. A basic push mower, manual edger, or even battery-powered gear will usually be plenty.

Some folks overspend on gear they’ll only use a few times a month. As long as you keep up with maintenance, you can get by with more affordable options and still have your yard looking good.

Light Fixtures in Secondary Spaces

Hallways, closets, laundry rooms—those aren’t places where you need designer lighting. Basic flush mounts or even builder-grade options can do the job just fine.

Save your budget for rooms where it’ll actually get noticed. A cheap light in the laundry room won’t make a bit of difference to the feel of your home overall.

Drawer Pulls and Knobs

Unless you’re going ultra-high-end with your cabinets, you don’t need $10 knobs. Affordable metal or even resin options can look great and function perfectly well.

There’s so much variety in the lower price ranges now that you can usually find something that fits your look without spending a fortune. And if you want to upgrade later, it’s an easy swap.

Extra-Large Rugs Under Furniture

If most of the rug’s going under a sectional or bed, you don’t need to splurge on a thick wool option. In those spots, texture and pattern matter more than feel.

A printed synthetic rug can fill the space and look good without needing to hold up to heavy foot traffic. Save the high-quality stuff for places you actually walk barefoot.

Closet Organization

You don’t need a fancy system to keep a closet organized. Inexpensive bins, hanging shelves, and tension rods can make a huge difference on a small budget.

As long as you’re consistent with how you use the space, budget-friendly tools can keep everything in line. It’s more about habit than hardware.

Ceiling Paint

Ceilings rarely get touched or bumped, so you don’t need the priciest paint formula. A basic flat white will usually do the trick—and no one’s inspecting the finish up close.

What matters more is that it’s a flat paint that hides imperfections. You’re not going to be washing your ceiling weekly, so don’t overspend there.

Outdoor String Lights

Most people end up replacing them every year or two anyway, thanks to weather damage or squirrels. Go with a cheaper set and see how it holds up before investing in anything too fancy.

As long as they’re UL-listed and safe for outdoor use, the cheaper options usually look just as nice once they’re up.

Curtain Rods

As long as they can hold the weight and don’t sag, you can usually get away with budget curtain rods—especially in rooms where you’re not opening and closing them every day.

Nobody’s inspecting your rods. Put the money into nice curtains instead.

Drawer Organizers

Plastic or bamboo drawer organizers from budget stores usually work just as well as the pricey custom versions. The goal is functionality—keeping things separated and easy to find.

As long as it fits your drawer and stays in place, no one will know or care how much it cost.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.