How to Bring Luxury on a Budget
Large windows, high ceilings, loud artwork—though we dream of a fancy home, those luxurious touches just aren’t in the budget. Well, that’s no longer a problem! It’s time to give your home that lavish upgrade it deserves, all without dipping into your savings.
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1. Focus on the Exterior
Landscaping plays a big role in how your home looks—it also drives up resale value when it’s time to move. Upon arrival, your door is the first thing people see, so a fresh coat of paint or a maintained garden out front does wonders.
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2. Pay Attention to the Backyard
Don’t leave your backyard on the back burner! It deserves just as much TLC as the rest of your home, and a proper refresh can take your home from drab to fab. Outdoor furniture, string lights, and even a freshly mowed lawn can wow guests.
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3. Declutter Your Space
Every home has clutter, but you don’t see stray toys or rogue book piles on magazine covers. While you don’t need to hide every aspect of your life, a good tidy makes any house look more expensive.
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4. Hide Those Wires
Speaking of clutter, invest in cable organizers! There’s nothing more annoying than fighting through the jungle of wires behind the TV—organizers make your life easier and your home better looking.
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5. Have a Neutral Color Palette
We know, we know. Neutrals are a little boring. However, strategic use of neutral palettes gives your house some flair. Avoid any asylum white walls, but do invest in neutral fabrics or cream paint for your space.
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6. Invest in Art Pieces
No one says you should spend thousands of dollars on an art installation! You can, however, invest in larger canvases for the living room or even chip away at a gallery wall in the hallway. A little artwork makes a big impact.
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7. Have Fresh Flowers
Who doesn’t love the smell of fresh flowers? Break out those roses and nurse your succulent back to life because plant life adds a touch of class to any home. Try to keep away from the fake stuff, though.
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8. Statement Lighting
While you don’t need to replace every light fixture in the house, you can slowly install statement lighting in your kitchen or living room. Browse artistic fixtures or stick with a traditional look—either way, refreshed lighting brightens the whole room.
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9. Invest in Area Rugs
A good area rug is far from affordable (though they’re built to last), but you can still invest in copycat looks. Area rugs add a pop of color and make the perfect statement piece for communal areas. They also easily blend into your color palette.
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10. Look Into Backsplashes
Backsplashes can cost a pretty penny—but we’re here to save you money! If a proper installation isn’t in the cards right now, turn to peel-and-stick sheets for a chic, expensive look that won’t break the bank.
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11. Accent Walls
Accent walls are whatever you make them. From paneling to a completely different color, these statement pieces draw everyone’s attention, giving your house a more expensive look at half the cost.
12. Lavish-Looking Fixtures
The devil’s in the details, though in this case, that’s a good thing! Accents, like rose gold kitchenware or even artistic vases, make any home look more expensive. Hey—you can always fake it, too! Try gold spray paint on picture frames or plant pots for the same effect.
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13. High and Wide Curtains
Luxury homes have high ceilings and large windows, a look you can easily nab for yourself with proper curtain placement. All you have to do is hang floor-to-ceiling curtains above window frames and wider than window trims.
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14. Show Off History
You don’t need to look further than your memory box for good decor. Vintage items or hand-me-downs deserve to be displayed, and incorporating them as decor gives your home a great vintage feel.
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15. Thrift for Vintage Finds
On the other hand, not everyone wants to display vintage heirlooms—and that’s okay! Use this opportunity to thrift accent pieces and display those instead. Anything from furniture to bookends improves the decor.
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16. Swap Out Hardware
Renovations aren’t the only way to spice up your space. Simply swapping out cabinet knobs can make any room look more expensive. Depending on what you find, they’re also great conversation pieces.
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17. Throw Pillows
Throw pillows and blankets tie a room together, often matching color palettes and bringing a touch of personality to your space. You can also mix textures with silk throw pillows—or really throw caution to the wind with velvet!
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18. Don’t Go Nose Blind
Believe it or not, your home’s scent contributes to its overall appeal. Sports equipment or pet dander leaves all kinds of unpleasant odors, so keep air fresheners handy. Good scents and good looks go hand-in-hand.
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19. Crisp White Linens
Bedsheets are surprisingly expensive, but that luxurious look is easy to fake. White linens will never go out of style, helping you achieve the pristine aesthetic of expensive homes.
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20. Paint Those Doors
Keep that paintbrush! Painting interior doors a different color makes your space look and feel more expensive. Whether you go for something bold or keep it classy, contrasting palettes are worth the investment.
