218 FURNISHING COSTS AND BUDGETS

HOME-FURNISHING BUDGETS

The money to be used for furnishing must be carefully appor-
tioned to the various rooms. Budgets are given here, but they are
merely suggestions because the size and needs of the family and all
the features of the home affect the budget. It is difficult to con-
sider kitchens in making theoretical budgets because in many
rented houses and apartments the refrigerator, stove, and cabinets
are provided, whereas in others they are not. Kitchen furniture
and utensils comprise about 15 per cent of the total cost of furnish-
ing a new house. No figures are given here for a radio, dishes,
silver, or linen because such requirements vary greatly in different
families. The following budgets should be treated as elastic, but
they might well serve as guides, particularly to the inexperienced.
During periods of inflated prices considerable adjustment of these
lists may be necessary.

PROPORTIONAL ROOM PERCENTAGES

2-room 3-room home home
4-room home
5-room home
6-room home

Living room ......
67% 45%
40%
32%
30%

Master bedroom .........
33 25
20
21
17

Dining room » . . . . .......
. . . . . ......... 22
20
19
17

Hall ....................
.............. 8
6
6
6

Guest room (or) ..........
..... 1 .................
14
14

Child's room ............
..... )

1 10

Sun porch or nursery ......

8
9

Total.

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

FURNISHING BUDGETS FOR 5-ROOM HOMES

Budget of Budget of Budget of Budget of
$450 $1,000 $1,800 $3}000

Living room ........ ,..„...
, . > . $180
$400
$720
$1,200

Master bedroom Dining room ......
90
___ 90
200 200
360 360
600 600

Child's or guest room ..*,..
63
140
2S2
420

Hall or sun porch ..........
27
60
108
180