I'm an interior designer – five items that aren't worth forking out on…the cheaper versions are just as good | The Sun

ANY homeowner will know just how expensive it can be to re-decorate your space.

But according to an interior design whizz named Carmen Javier, there are five things that you shouldn't splash the cash on in your home…because you can get cheaper versions that are just as good.

In the clip shared to TikTok (@carmenjavierco), she begins by saying that she'd never fork out on linen bedding or bedding in general.

"I really think you can get amazing quality bedding from places like H&M & Zara home," she says.

"Moreover, you just know you can go there at any season, any time of year and they're going to have amazing neutral colours ranging from taupe to sage green to terracotta.

"This is one place I always look."

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Next up, Carmen urges people not to spend hundreds of pounds on expensive books for styling coffee tables and shelves.

"Now I know a lot of people love buying the 'AD at 100' book or 'Live Beautiful' or any of those really popular interior design books and don't get me wrong, I have all of those," she explains.

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"I especially love reading them for design inspiration, but they can be really expensive.

"That AD book is £70 so instead, what I prefer to do is I'll hit up any type of charity or second hand shop and I'll go to the book section.

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"There, they'll usually have a section for home or garden or whatever type of interest you have.

"And my trick is to take off the plastic covering on top of the book and look at what the actual cover underneath it is.

"A lot of these books will have beautiful linen covers hidden underneath the plastic – that's where I've really found some of my favourite books."

Carmen then moves on to discuss vases or any sort of ornament.

"Now I've been one to spend money on a vase – especially if it's supporting an artist which I really love," she says.

"But if you have open shelves and you've just moved into a home and have a lot of empty space to decorate or to fill, then I'd go and look second-hand.

"Go to any charity shop or look on Facebook marketplace – go to garage sales, you can find really cool vases.

"And even if you don't like the colour pattern that it comes in but like the shape, you can always paint over it.

"I've done that hundreds of times with faces."

She continues: "Etsy is another great place to find affordable vases or ornaments."

Finally, Carmen points out that high-end mirrors are not worth the money.

"When did mirrors become like £1 – £3k?" she asks.

"I know that part of the price is just because they're a little trickier to shop, but I'd prefer to go to Ikea and get their cheap Hovet mirror if I need a really large area mirror.

"If I'm going to be spending thousands on something, I'd way rather it be wall art or support an artist who can do a painting instead of a mirror."

Carmen captioned the post: "Things that I still will buy affordable for myself and interior design clients."

The video has since gone viral, racking up thousands of views and several comments from social media users.

"Just got Zara’s natural linen duvet cover and it’s so nice and soft," enthused one.

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A second penned: "I miss Zara Home stores in Canada. They had beautiful bedding."

A third praised: "Thanks Carmen! Love your videos."

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