Who doesn’t want to live in an elegant and luxurious house? And while you may aspire to live in a home that looks more extravagant than your current space, you can still achieve that look without blowing your budget.
With a few little tricks and clever interior design tricks, you can create a stylish home that looks like a million dollars. From decluttering hacks that don’t cost a dime to selecting a few beautiful objects that add impact, you can achieve a luxurious home that looks impressive without breaking the bank.
Here, we share 7 interior ideas to improve your home on a budget that’s more about focusing on the details than spending too much.
1. Eliminate clutter
You can free up your space for free; all it will cost you is your time. While it’s nice to have personal items on display (after all, you make your house your home), too many knick-knacks can make it look cluttered, leaving you without a clear focal point.
Tidying up your home It’s a basic interior design trick that allows you to create an elegant and expensive aesthetic without spending a dime. When it’s free, you have nothing to lose and you’ll end up with a calmer, tidier space.
There is a lot of sorting methods to help you get started. Then, once you’ve achieved a tidy space, you can keep it on track by following the instructions one in, one out method.
2. Open the windows
A greater feeling of space can be achieved by expanding the windows. Without having to pay for extensive construction work, the illusion of grandeur can be achieved by raising the height of the curtain rod and expanding its width. This will expand the window area and make it look more luxurious. The curtains can then be opened to show more glazing, while the extra-long curtains will create a sophisticated draping effect on the floor.
3. Get rich with fabrics
Velvet, silks and faux furs are highly tactile fabrics that add a rich and sumptuous aesthetic to an interior. And since they’re not cheap, there are some clever tricks to get that look without paying a lot.
Fancy a pair of silk curtains? How about opting for a Roman blind? You’ll still get the look, but you won’t need as much fabric for the curtain treatment. And even if you decide to spend money on silk curtains, you can make them a focal point in the room and store them elsewhere. I previously invested in a pair of chinoiserie silk curtains for my bedroom and enjoyed the design so much that I never regretted the price.
However, with fabrics it’s not about going big or going home. You can add small touches of velvet and faux fur to cushions and blankets while turning to a less elaborate textile option for your sofas.
4. Light up and match
Interior designers love to use lighting to add a sense of drama and glamor to a room. Think big, bold ambient lighting that shines and illuminates the entire room and carefully placed task lighting to provide more subtle light.
For a ceiling shade, try this matte black tapered light shade with a brushed brass interior ($50, Rejuvenation). I have something similar on top of my dining room table and the metallic finish adds a touch of glamor without being too flashy.
Interior designers also like to work in pairs when lighting a home. Have you noticed how two identical table lamps are often placed on a table inside a show home? Tall lamps with sleek, clean lines create a sophisticated aesthetic. This pair of gold lamps has elegant crystal bases ($89, Amazon).
5. Renew your furniture
You don’t need to spend fortunes on furniture to create an expensive aesthetic. Instead of spending a lot less on big-box store deals with the opposite effect, update what you already have or search local thrift stores for a solid piece of furniture.
Picking up a can of paint can also do wonders for freshening up a table or dresser that’s past its prime. I recently I renovated my guest room and I painted the top of a budget console with Farrow & Ball paint, adding gold trim to the edge. The cost of painting is minimal compared to purchasing new furniture.
And if painting isn’t your thing, a simple hardware change can completely change the look. Again, for a sleek look, keep the design simple and choose a matte or brushed metallic finish. These satin brass cabinet knobs ($5, housing deposit) are elegant and discreet.
6. Think in scale
The golden ratio in interior design is based on the theory of thirds and can be found throughout nature. It is based on creating an aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye and is often known as the 60-30-10 rule and is a must if you want create a show home aesthetic in your own home.
The golden ratio helps balance the proportions of a room, from striking the right balance of furniture to properly hanging artwork and balancing dominant and accent colors. When the proportions are perfect, you will get a room that is perfectly balanced and pleasing to the eye.
Take the living room for example; Furniture should cover at least 60% of the floor space. If it is less than 60%, the room is likely to feel too empty; if it is above 60%, it will feel messy.
Start by focusing on proportion rather than size and how well the items in your home fit together. A sofa won’t look as good if it’s too small or too big for the space or if a beautiful rug takes up a fraction of the floor space.
7. Go fresh with flowers
Fresh flowers are an inexpensive way to add a touch of style to your home. Creating a boutique hotel look, they add a touch of class to any room and leave a beautiful scent test.
Whether you opt for glass or ceramic vases, keep the expensive look and choose styles that have clean lines and minimal patterns.
Ikea’s Konstfull range of vases are designed by Ilse Crawford and start at just $7, with the green and brown version looking especially stylish ($19, Ikea).
- Read 5 interior design ideas that can improve your mental health
- And 7 indoor plants that will make your house smell better
- Plus, I used Feng Shui to balance my home – here’s what I learned
