DIY & Crafts, Home & Garden
8 Simple, Affordable Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive
These days, we’re spending a lot of time hunkered down at home. And while coziness is key, aesthetics can be important, too. Now might be a good time to consider making a few upgrades to elevate your interior — a new lamp shade here, a throw pillow there. Don’t worry, you don’t need to hire a decorator or spend a fortune to make your humble abode slightly more sophisticated. Here, we share some tips on how to make your home look expensive without breaking your budget.
Get Throw Pillows and Plush Blankets
When it comes to throw pillows, there’s only one rule: You can never have too many. Whether you’re decking out the living-room couch or making a guest suite extra inviting, choose plush options of varying sizes, materials and textures. Pick solid-colored pillows and ones with intricate patterns to create a layered look. While you’re at it, snap up a few super-soft cuddle-worthy blankets to drape over sofas and beds. This is one of the simplest (and softest) interior decorating ideas.
Moroccan Style Wedding Blanket Throw Pillow
Curate Your Accessories
If you’ve got knickknacks aplenty, prepare to curate your own collection. You might adore all your decorative mementos, but, when it comes to accessories, less is more. Clutter is out, minimalism is in. Edit your beloved items, and highlight the best of the best, so you can actually see and enjoy the things you put on display. Better yet, KonMari-ing your decor is one of the more inexpensive ways to update your home—because it requires nothing other than time and effort.
Find New Window Treatments
Want to add an element of sophistication to your interior? Window treatments are often overlooked but certainly not overrated. You might not be able to put your finger on it, but window treatments can have a dramatic impact on the overall look of a room. If you have basic blinds or curtains, consider upgrading to woven wooden shutters, metal blinds or draping curtains. Be mindful that window treatments can run a bit pricey, so be sure to shop with Rakuten to earn Cash Back on your purchase.
Wood Blinds
Go for Statement Pieces
You certainly don’t have to spend a lot to upgrade your home, but some splurges might be worth your while. When making significant statement purchases, opt for classic pieces that won’t go out of style, like elegant tufted couches and intricately faded area rugs.
Saville Tufted Sofa
Alexander Home Tremezzina Printed Medallion Rug
Embrace Elegant Moldings
Want to give your home character and charm? Intricate moldings can add instant panache to a room, ceiling, mantle or corner, and make your home feel luxurious.
Display Vases Full of Bouquets
Want to know how to make your home look elegant with minimal effort? It’s incredible what fresh flowers can do to transform your home. Beautiful bouquets of roses and seasonal blooms can brighten up a room and make it look warm, inviting and classy. Plus, a gorgeous glass, bronze or textured vase adds an element of luxury.
Adra Vase
Replace Old Fixtures
Want to spruce up a space and make it look more modern in mere minutes? Replace old door knobs, cabinet handles and light fixtures. Old, rusted or outdated handles are one of the things that make your home look cheap. You won’t believe the difference a simple swap can make.
DIY a Backsplash
Looking to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom, but don’t want to hire help? A simple textured tile peel-and-stick decal can transform your space at a fraction of the cost of a contractor. It’s an easy DIY and, best of all, it’s great for those who don’t want to commit to a long-term design.
White Pearlized Hexagon Peel And Stick Tiles
Making your home appear luxe and chichi doesn’t have to be difficult. Easy DIY projects, statement pieces and a few simple tricks are key. So, cozy up on your soon-to-be replaced couch, and do a little online shopping with Rakuten to earn Cash Back on your home-improvement purchases.
Lauren is a digital editor, freelance writer, and Instagram aficionado with a feisty five-year-old boy and a sassy two-year-old diva at home. With a passion for family, travel, style, and alliteration, she spends her days chasing children, chugging coffee, and daydreaming about sleep. As a veteran lifestyle editor and media mom, Lauren loves to find ways to make the aspirational attainable for all the overwhelmed parents out there—because we really need to stick together! Lauren lives with her husband and kiddos in the suburbs of New York City.
Join The Conversation