How to Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget
Are you someone who loves the look of designer homes but finds it difficult to achieve the same look on a budget? There are things you can do to make your home look expensive for less. These tips and tricks will guide you through the process one step at a time so you can enjoy the journey of making your house a home.
10 Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive
Do you love browsing Instagram or home decor magazines for inspiration but struggle to achieve the same look in your own home?
If there are ways to update your home for a fraction of the cost, I’m always in! Sometimes, just small changes can take the look and feel of your home from builder-grade to custom.
So, if you’re looking for ways to make your home look more expensive without breaking the bank, these simple tips can help. You might be surprised at how easy some of these changes are, and one or more of them might be exactly what you’re looking for.
1. Create a Cohesive Look
Are you wondering what it means to have a home where each room blends and flows into one another? This approach can help make your home look visually pleasing and spacious; many designers aspire to achieve it.
However, it doesn’t mean that each room should look the same. To maintain harmony, you need to determine your design style first, which will help you create a cohesive look throughout your home.
In the images below, Bria Hammel beautifully designed the Minnesota Classic Cottage. The colors and textures blend seamlessly, creating a cohesive flow between each room.
2. Mismatch Furniture
Yes, avoid matching sets. Remember your design style, but bring in different colors, fabrics, textures, and wood grains through your furniture.
It will give your room character to have a mismatch of furniture. Keep it classic, modern, or vintage. They will come together in your home and create a more expensive look.
Studio McGee is known for its exceptional design skills and beautiful style. The combination of leather chairs with a soft white sofa and wooden accent chairs in the living area below is perfect. Additionally, the texture of the wicker back chairs blended with the softness of the linen chairs make the room feel cozy and welcoming.
3. Frame the Room with an Area Rug
Nothing can explain the comfort that an area rug can give a room. It takes the surrounding pieces and pulls everything together, making the room feel more complete.
Double up your area rugs for a designer trick, or keep it simple and use one. To make your home look more expensive, ensure the carpet is the right size for your room. The incorrect rug size can take away from the investment and make your space feel unfinished.
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4. Use the Right Throw Pillows
I enjoy using throw pillows to decorate, but it can be expensive to switch them up frequently. To make it less expensive, I purchase the pillow inserts and change out the covers seasonally.
Always choose a good insert that is full and soft. You can find great pillow covers at Ikea, and you can find beautiful designer-style pillow covers at Etsy.
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5. Hang your Curtains High and Wide
Use this trick to transform your room. First, try extending your curtain rod 3-6″ from the window frame. Then, ensure the curtains are two to two and one-half times the window width for fullness.
You want your curtain to extend past the window and onto the wall. Consider hanging curtains as close to the ceiling as possible to bring the eye up, creating an openness to your space.
Curtains should be about half an inch from the floor, or they can puddle touching the floor. Either way, it will give your home that expensive designer look you want.
Below are perfect examples of how to hang curtains. You can see and experience how positioning them closer to the ceiling draws the eye upward.
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6. Update Kitchen and Bathroom Hardware
If you make a small change, like updating your kitchen or bathroom hardware, it will make a big impact. When we painted our bathroom cabinet, we updated the hardware, and wow, what a difference it made.
There are so many hardware finishes to choose from and different price points. Although I have ordered some of my hardware updates on Amazon, I sometimes find going to a local hardware store and looking at the options in person can be more helpful.
Below are some inspirational photos of kitchen and bathroom hardware, and you can find so many more on Pinterest.
Related Resources:
- How to Paint a Bathroom Vanity Tutorial
- Brushed Antique Knob in our Bathroom
- Brushed Antique Brass Cup Drawer Pull in our Bathroom
7. Add Architectural Details
Bring in architectural details by upgrading your moldings or trim, and add a feature wall with board and batten, wall panels, picture frame molding, stone, or brick.
Giving your home a more custom look is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make your home look expensive. Look how beautiful the door molding is below; this simple update can make a home look expensive at a fraction of the cost.
There are also many tutorials available on how to add different architectural details to your home yourself to save money.
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8. Create Accent Walls
Easily create accent walls in a room with wallpaper or paint. You can paint your architectural wall a different color to stand out or use pretty florals or designs through wallpaper designs to give impact to your room.
If the idea of wallpaper makes you cringe, the new peel-and-stick versions are a beautiful option. They come in a variety of design styles to match your personal taste.
I wrote an article on accent wall ideas that can instantly transform your room. Check it out below.
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9. Add Mats to Photo Frames
There is a big difference between a photo in a standard frame and one surrounded by a mat. Most definitely, the matted frame will give your home a more expensive look.
A gallery wall is a great way to showcase your photos and add a touch of style to your space. By looking at the images below, you can see that you have the option to mix and match different photos or keep them consistent in terms of color and size.
Either way, it can create a beautiful and personalized look for your room, making it feel more luxurious.
10. Use White Linens
Crisp white linens can give a luxurious feel to both the bedroom and bathroom, but they don’t need to come with a high price tag. It’s easy to find quality towels and sheets at reasonable prices, with stores like Ikea and Target offering great selections. You can also find sheets and towels with the desired look and quality on Amazon.
For those concerned about keeping white towels clean, oxygen bleach is the answer. I buy my laundry supplies from Aspenclean, but the brand Oxiclean is also effective.
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Like me, you may be unable to do all these things simultaneously. If you are slowly updating your home, remember these tips and enjoy the process.
These are practical, functional, and fun ways to make your home look expensive in budget-friendly ways.
10 Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive
- Create a Cohesive Look
- Mismatch Furniture
- Frame the Room with an Area Rug
- Use the Right Throw Pillows
- Hang Your Curtains High and Wide
- Update Kitchen and Bathroom Hardware
- Add Architectural Details
- Creat Accent Walls
- Add Mats to Photo Frames
- Use White Linens
If you are all in and are looking for more information on this topic, you should check out 30 Ways to Make Your House Look Expensive by Bless’er House. Lauren has amazing content inspiration from her own home!
And for even more decorating tips & tricks, don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter below. I would love to keep in touch!
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