7 ways to make your house look expensive
You can create a living space that looks straight out of a catalogue while on a budget
There’s no denying that finances are a major part of renovating your house. From installing sockets to purchasing furniture, ample amounts of money, energy and thought goes into deciding how to set up the perfect house. However, on the brighter side, you can create a living space that looks straight out of a catalogue while on a budget. Compiled from Reader’s Digest, here is a list of seven ways to make your house look classy, expensive and a home for you and your loved ones.
Decor: Design that’s actually within reach
1. Treat each room as a blank state
Take note of the preexisting features in your house you can highlight. Architectural details such as crown molding, wooden beams, hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves and mosaic-tile backsplashes are all worth focusing on. These details don’t just look expensive; they are expensive. Make them as prominent as possible — keep them clean, clutter free and the focal point of the room. For example, don’t splurge on an expensive painting just to have it compete with a show-stopping fireplace.
2. Add a pop of colour
“Paint is extremely inexpensive and makes a big difference,” says Florida-based interior designer Keysha Jillian. “Whether you need to tone down a shade or add a bold one to liven up your space, colour is great for changing the overall feel of a room.”
3. Pick towels you’re actually excited to use
It’s time to get rid of those dingy old bath towels— discoloured whites and bleach-stained tones make your space look dirty and cheap. “Proudly display crisp white, fluffy towels like the kind you would find in a fancy hotel or spa,” says another interior designer, Drew Henry. “This will immediately trigger a feeling for your guests, and they will have a more luxurious feeling towards the space.”
4. Hang art on the walls
From family photos to DIY art, framed works can make a house feel like a home. Before mounting any work, homeowners should figure out where everything should be placed and the proper way to hang it. “If you feel creative, a great way to get inexpensive artwork is to create your own. Head to your local craft store and you can find everything you need to create a beautiful canvas or framed custom artwork,” adds Henry.
5. Update old fixtures
A quick and easy way to decorate on a dime is to update old fixtures, especially in the kitchen. Knobs, handles, drawer pulls, and light switch plates are small, inexpensive details that give your home a high-end sheen.
6. Give the illusion of higher ceilings
If you can’t raise your roof, literally, you might consider raising your window treatments. Jillian suggests raising window panels to create an illusion of height and give it a grander feel.
7. Keep your home clean
Follow the rule of threes (objects look best when organised in odd numbers, especially threes) and leave a generous amount of white space on your walls and surfaces. When it comes to looking luxe, less is always more. File paperwork out of sight, find a home for everything, and clear the clutter.
Wrought-iron vs wooden furniture — What is your choice for home decor?
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.
Decor: Design that’s actually within reach
1. Treat each room as a blank state
Take note of the preexisting features in your house you can highlight. Architectural details such as crown molding, wooden beams, hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves and mosaic-tile backsplashes are all worth focusing on. These details don’t just look expensive; they are expensive. Make them as prominent as possible — keep them clean, clutter free and the focal point of the room. For example, don’t splurge on an expensive painting just to have it compete with a show-stopping fireplace.
2. Add a pop of colour
“Paint is extremely inexpensive and makes a big difference,” says Florida-based interior designer Keysha Jillian. “Whether you need to tone down a shade or add a bold one to liven up your space, colour is great for changing the overall feel of a room.”
3. Pick towels you’re actually excited to use
It’s time to get rid of those dingy old bath towels— discoloured whites and bleach-stained tones make your space look dirty and cheap. “Proudly display crisp white, fluffy towels like the kind you would find in a fancy hotel or spa,” says another interior designer, Drew Henry. “This will immediately trigger a feeling for your guests, and they will have a more luxurious feeling towards the space.”
4. Hang art on the walls
From family photos to DIY art, framed works can make a house feel like a home. Before mounting any work, homeowners should figure out where everything should be placed and the proper way to hang it. “If you feel creative, a great way to get inexpensive artwork is to create your own. Head to your local craft store and you can find everything you need to create a beautiful canvas or framed custom artwork,” adds Henry.
5. Update old fixtures
A quick and easy way to decorate on a dime is to update old fixtures, especially in the kitchen. Knobs, handles, drawer pulls, and light switch plates are small, inexpensive details that give your home a high-end sheen.
6. Give the illusion of higher ceilings
If you can’t raise your roof, literally, you might consider raising your window treatments. Jillian suggests raising window panels to create an illusion of height and give it a grander feel.
7. Keep your home clean
Follow the rule of threes (objects look best when organised in odd numbers, especially threes) and leave a generous amount of white space on your walls and surfaces. When it comes to looking luxe, less is always more. File paperwork out of sight, find a home for everything, and clear the clutter.
Wrought-iron vs wooden furniture — What is your choice for home decor?
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.