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If you don’t plan and track your home decor store budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for home decor store owners, we saw a lot of store owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial revenue.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your home decor store's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for home decor stores
Most home decor store owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for home decor stores
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a home decor store, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for retail space | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for lighting and displays | $600 | $7,200 |
| Water | Water usage | $100 | $1,200 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $150 | $1,800 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $100 | $1,200 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $50 | $600 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $400 | $4,800 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Store Manager | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Assistant Manager | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | $30,000 |
| Sales Associates | 3 | $2,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Cashier | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 | $21,600 |
| Stock Clerk | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 | $21,600 |
3. Inventory Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | Sofas, chairs, tables, etc. | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| Decor Items | Vases, wall art, clocks, etc. | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Lighting | Lamps, chandeliers, etc. | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Textiles | Curtains, rugs, cushions, etc. | $1,500 | $18,000 |
| Seasonal Items | Holiday decor, seasonal themes | $1,000 | $12,000 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $500 | $6,000 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $200 | $2,400 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $100 | $1,200 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $150 | $1,800 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $200 | $2,400 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of store equipment | $300 | $3,600 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms | $100 | $1,200 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, permits, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $150 | $1,800 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $500 | $6,000 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $200 | $2,400 |
Some home decor stores make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best home decor stores in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a home decor store?
Be mindful of these potential pitfalls. Here are five major costs every home decor store owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Inventory CostsDecor items can be expensive, and trends change quickly. You’re dealing with a variety of products, from furniture to small decorative pieces, and prices can fluctuate based on demand and seasonality. To keep these costs in check, focus on inventory management, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize overstock. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for high-end items that don’t sell quickly.
- Staffing CostsYour staff is essential for providing excellent customer service and maintaining the store. Paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always significant because you need a knowledgeable team to assist customers and manage the store efficiently. Optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and UtilitiesPrime retail locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers. Utilities like electricity, heating, and water are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient lighting and climate control systems. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too large or too upscale for your needs.
- MarketingGetting the word out about your home decor store is crucial, but advertising can be expensive, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we recommend. Overspending can occur if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Store Fixtures and Maintenance CostsThis includes everything from shelving and display units to lighting and decor. These are expensive because quality fixtures and regular maintenance are crucial for an appealing store layout and customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, versatile fixtures and maintaining them regularly to avoid costly repairs. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech displays you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your home decor store?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a home decor store owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Inventory Costs | Partner with local artisans for unique, high-quality items at competitive prices. |
| Labor Costs | Implement a scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime. |
| Utilities | Install LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your store and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste. |
| Display Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of display units. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Packaging | Use cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts for customers bringing their own bags. |
| Store Fixtures | Purchase high-quality, durable fixtures that can withstand frequent use. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle excess materials. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional devices and utilize inventory management software. |
| Decor and Display | Partner with a cost-effective decor service and consider reusable display elements. |
| Catalog Printing | Use digital catalogs or QR codes for product access to reduce printing costs. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital order systems. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce overstocking. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Ambiance | Use a streaming service for background music and host local artists for in-store events. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best home decor stores in the world!
There are home decor stores that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a home decor store
Yes, some expenses for your home decor store are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing sales or enhancing the customer experience.
| Home Decor Store Expense | Reason It's Unnecessary |
|---|---|
| Overly Lavish Displays | Extravagant displays don't necessarily attract more customers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Brand Partnerships | Unless you are a high-end store, most customers are satisfied with mid-range options. |
| Excessive Product Variety | A large inventory increases storage costs and leads to more unsold items. |
| High-End Fixtures | Top-of-the-line store fixtures are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your home decor store. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for magazines or design tools often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Product Lines | Using rare or exclusive product lines can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Furniture | High-end furniture for store displays is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Bags | Personalized shopping bags are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most customers are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Delivery Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating store decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Store Centerpieces | Elaborate centerpieces are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Display Items | Luxury display items are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Catalog Designs | Frequently redesigning catalogs is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Event Equipment | Specialized event equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your home decor store!
Managing a budget for a home decor store when funds are tight can feel overwhelming. It's like being trapped in a cycle where any unexpected expense can throw you off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in new inventory or marketing efforts, leaving you always scrambling to cover costs. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, pinching pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more flexibility and more resources to invest back into your business.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of home decor stores just like yours. Get them now!
Make your home decor store more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best home decor stores in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
