Having a luxurious-looking home – one that looks like it belongs in the pages of a high-end interior design magazine – can seem like an unattainable dream for anyone who is on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are many ways to achieve that luxurious and high-end look you dream of, regardless of how limited your budget is.
Over the years, we’ve acquired a number of expert interior design secrets that have given homeowners some insight on how to create their dream homes without breaking the bank. Today, we’re here to share seven of those secrets with you. Interested in breathing some new life into your space without having to spend thousands of dollars? Well, keep on reading to find out more.
1. Mixing Textiles, Textures, and Threads
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Textiles, textures, and threads can have a massive impact on the look and feel of any room. A sofa, throw pillows, and drapes that are all in the same texture, fabric, and color are a surefire way to make your space fall flat. Is your color palette composed of very similar shades? If so, you can interrupt the consistency by changing up the textures of any fabric in the room. Some of the most obvious elements of texture in any space include furniture, throw pillows, blankets, and carpets or rugs. However, remember to look beyond the obvious areas of fabric and don’t leave your curtains, blinds, and lampshades out of the equation.
Expert Tip: Hang inexpensive floor-to-ceiling drapes if you want to add a real sense of luxury to your space. For a variety of different window treatment options, be sure to check out QuickfitCurtains.
2. A Splash Of Paint
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Never underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint. Choosing the perfect shade for your walls can be a tricky task, but if luxury is what you are after, there are certain colors that are sure to add instant glamour to your home. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to stick to a mixture of neutral hues (think ivory, light greys, and whites) that are guaranteed to never go out of style.
Painting your interior doors black is also a fantastic idea that will automatically create an expensive feeling, without causing much damage to your wallet. If you choose this option, be sure to include a variety of black accessories and decor to tie the overall design together.
3. Consider Refurbishing Old Furniture
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If you have dated items of furniture in storage, one of the easiest ways to instantly transform even the oldest of pieces is to spend a day or two strippings, sanding, and refurbishing. This is by far one of the most cost-effective ways of transforming your existing furniture and is a great way to ensure that you end up with luxurious results that are in line with your interior design vision.
Furniture Refurbishing Basics
Step 1: The first step to refurbishing any old item of furniture is to give it a good clean with a product such as Simple Green. Wipe your piece down with a microfibre cloth to get rid of any remaining dirt or dust. Remove existing hardware and set it aside.
Step 2: Using medium grit sandpaper, be sure to sand your piece down to create a smooth canvas for your paint. Use a vacuum or microfibre cloth to clean up any remaining dust or debris before you move on to the next step.
Step 3: Apply a coat of primer to your piece. For solid wood pieces, we recommend a water-based primer. If you are working on MDF, your best bet will be to use a Shellac-based primer such as Zinsser Bin. Allow the primer to dry for at least a few hours.
Step 4: Apply multiple coats of Chalk Paint to your project, allowing each layer to dry fully before applying the next. Chalk Paint is a fantastic, inexpensive option and is ideal for beginner furniture painters. While the paint is drying, clean the removed hardware or spray paint it for a new finish. For a luxe look, we recommend using matte black or gold spray paint. Allow drying.
Step 5: Apply a clear coat to protect your newly painted furniture. We recommend opting for a matte clear coat for a modern and luxurious feel. Allow drying fully before reattaching spruced-up hardware.
4. Decorate With Greenery
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Another incredibly cost-effective way of injecting luxury into any space is with the help of plants and flowers. Plants don’t have to cost that much to make an impact and although you can, of course, go all out with your expensive and exotic greenery, you certainly don’t have to. In fact, some of the cheapest plants are the ones that make the biggest impact. Options such as a large Fiddle Leaf Fig tree or a bushy Monstera Deliciosa are great ways to inject a touch of elegance and style into any room in the home. The best part is that these plants usually cost under $100 and are available at almost any nursery or garden shop.
Don’t forget to choose gorgeous planters and pots for your plants too – department stores such as Kmart and Target are your best bet when it comes to luxurious-looking pots on a budget. Some of our favorites include rattan pot stands or inexpensive glazed pots that look a million bucks.
5. Switch Out Your Fixtures
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Updating the fixtures, especially lights, in your home can be the easiest way to create a fresh, new luxury home interior. Pendant lights have been incredibly popular over the last few years and are a great way to add a little opulence to your home design and décor. Other luxe lighting options that you can consider include chandeliers, wall sconces, and light suspensions which are sure to add a wow factor to any room.
When it comes to changing fixtures, consider switching out the draws and pulls of your kitchen cabinets to match your brand new interiors. Some very classy options when it comes to hardware include matte gold, matte black, and brushed nickel. You can find inexpensive fixtures and fittings at most local hardware stores, and installing them is often a breeze.
6. Kick Out The Clutter
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It will come as no surprise that one of the cheapest ways to transform your space is to kick out the clutter and keep things organized. You’ll never see a luxury home littered with clutter or covered in dust, so keeping your home neat and tidy is one of the easiest ways to make it look and feel more expensive. Aside from keeping clutter at bay, don’t forget to pay attention to tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, and regular cleaning your sofas, carpets, and fabrics – you’ll be amazed at how much difference this keen attention to detail will make in the overall ambiance and feel of your space.
7. Make Smarter Purchases
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Last but not least, one of the best ways to acquire luxurious furniture or accessories for your home on a budget is to look out for liquidation or clearance sales. There are a wide variety of such sales that offer brand new furniture, accessories, lighting, and more at an incredibly discounted price. Some other sources of discounted luxury furniture include Facebook marketplace, showroom sales, and direct from manufacturer purchases.
Don’t think you can afford the luxury home you want? Well, think again! With a little creativity and know-how, designing an expensive-looking home on even the tightest of budgets can be made possible. We hope that this article has given you a few new ideas on how you can achieve a luxe look for cheap. What are some of your favorite ways to make a space look expensive? You can check out more luxury interior design ideas and styles in this article by Swiss Interior. Be sure to drop a comment and let us know!
