How to Make Your Home Look Expensive- Where to splurge and where to save
I know, I know…I’m not a budget blogger, but I do understand that every project has a budget of some sort. Today I want to help talk you through tricks you can use to stay under that budget and still achieve fabulous results. So let’s find the answer the topic “How to make your home look expensive”.
Today marks week 3 of the New Year New Room Challenge Refresh hosted by the ever so talented Stephanie from Casa Watkins Living. Today I want to show you progress on the room and preview some of the accessories that I will be using in the reveal
The Safavieh products mentioned are sponsored, but the opinions are 100% my own.
Don’t forget to check out the links to the other talented participants at the end.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 1
Own it Babe!
Does every single item in a room need to be high-end in order for a space to look expensive? I mean… it helps 🙂 LOL. The honest answer is not necessarily. The very most important thing, in my opinion, is to know and own your style (and the style of your home of course) and be consistent and cohesive in your application. What that means for you may look very different than it does for me, but regardless, don’t try to decorate your home to look like what everyone else is doing (unless you absolutely love it). Instead, surround yourself with things that you are consistently attracted to and then totally ROCK IT. Homes don’t get published in Architectural Digest because they look like something bought 100% at a big box store. No sir, to get a high-end magazine feature your home needs to be gutsy. It is that bold confidence and swagger that will make it look like you hired a designer to decorate your home.
Ok, that’s your pep talk. You’ve got this. 💪
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 2
It’s all about the mix
What not to do:
Don’t walk into your favorite store one afternoon and purchase an entire room full of furniture. PLEASE avoid this at all costs!
What to do:
Recognize that homes take time and are constantly evolving. Plan to add/upgrade pieces when you find things (new or used) that are so unique or well built that you can’t live without.
While it is absolutely ok to have a piece or two from your favorite company, you don’t want your entire room to look like page 12 of their catalogue. Expensive looking rooms are gathered, collected, and visually interesting. Bonus: this helps trend proof your home as well. If you 100% by into every trend in 2021, your home will look completely dated in 2026.
Good news! That means that you can alleviate any self-imposed pressure of trying to perfect a room overnight. Instead, splurge on something epic, maybe that is your sofa, your table, or your bed, and shop smart on the rest. Then, as you find treasures along the way you can upgrade.
Some people, notably those with much more of a spartan nature than me, might suggest ONLY to buy what you love. I’m very impressed with people who will go a year without a sofa. That’s dedication. I, on the other hand, see value in purchasing items that bring you immediate satisfaction as long as it looks great in your space. If mixed with unique pieces, your room will look elevated…even if your sofa didn’t cost $10k.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 3
GET YOUR THRIFT ON
I can’t over-emphasize the importance of incorporating soulful pieces to your space. These pieces don’t have to be expensive, though obviously splurging helps. Maybe you have the budget to source these items at Chairish, or maybe you choose to save and pick it up off Marketplace, Craigslist, or a consignment store. It really doesn’t matter if you know what you are looking for…remember…unique, soulful, and something that speaks to you. As I am writing this, I am thinking about a 6 panel Chinese screen that I saw two weeks ago and really should go purchase. LOL
So how do you know where to save and where to spend? The answer, like so many things, is that it depends. Let’s take my upcoming son’s bedroom I am working on for the New Year New Room Challenge. While nothing beats a hand knotted rug, my child would not appreciate or protect a splurge on such an item, at least not at his age. Instead, I selected the inexpensive Safavieh rug temporarily seen above here (though it will migrate upstairs as soon as his floors dry): I also chose a Safavieh throw blanket and pillow because seasonal items are a great place to save. Ask yourself if the purchase you are considering is a “forever buy” or a “huge improvement for now” buy and that will help guide where to direct funds.
I often hear parents say that they want “nice things” but they don’t want to waste money on something that will get peanut butter smeared all over it within the first year. My advice in this scenario is to splurge on something out of reach, think art, wallpaper, or lighting, and save the custom sofa for when they are older.
When all included in a mix of vintage pieces, a variety of textures, and a couple of splurges these affordable pieces look more expensive. It is the eclectic nature and execution that deliver a high-end and more timeless look.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 4
CUSTOM IS KING…but you may have the skills to fake it.
Nothing beats a custom piece of furniture, art, or cabinets that were made just for you. If, however, you are reserving money for a statement making splurge and are a tad bit handy, you may find that DIYing can give you high-end looks. Here is an example of something that I made from an IKEA Malm dresser. Although I am about to replace it with something else, it was a good two year solution that provided me happiness and functionality.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 5
IT’S HARD TO BEAT ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
When able, one place to consider splurging is on the bones of your home. Moulding, door handles, flooring have such a big impact on a space. I just wrote a comprehensive post about moulding that can help guide you through this process.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 5
I HEART WALLPAPER
One of my favorite statement making splurges is wallpaper. It makes the room instantly dramatic and isn’t that hard to DIY. Here are a few examples:
dining room
If wallpaper isn’t in your budget you can paint murals, use a stencil, or pick a fun color for a dramatic effect.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 5
Unequivocally, lighting can elevate a space, and even lighting can be a mix of high/low. In several of my rooms I have a statement making chandelier (this definitely falls in the splurge category), but I have mixed it with inexpensive sconces or table lamps. People are so enamored by the “splurge” that their eye doesn’t even notice the “save”. Plus, brands like Mitzi deliver high style at a more affordable price point.
How to Make your Home Look Expensive: Tip 6
THINK DETAILS
Don’t have a budget for custom drapes or shower curtain at the moment? Try Ikea drapes hemmed, lined, and trimmed with something special.
LOVE Art but don’t have the cash to drop on a houseful of art right now? That is ok. A great art collection happens over time. It is ok to have “filler art” until you find something worth splurging on. This filler could be vintage or sourced from sites like Jefferson Home Print Shop, Unsplash, Minted, and Society 6. IKEA Ribba frames are a safe bet.
If you can sew your options are endless, custom bedding, pillows, drapes, table cloth, linens…and the list goes on and on.
Also, think finishes. I am a big fan of mixing metals in a room. Too much brass starts to feel one note, but a mix gives a gathered feel.
I like to add elements that FEEL expensive, even if they are a second hand item. These include marble, burl, lucite, and rattan/caning.
I hope these tips help you on your quest to help your home look more expensive. Come back next week for the big closet reveal.
Thank you for sharing Jewel 💓💓💓!!!
Thanks, this is really well written. In spite of having totally different design styles, you are my favorite designer. Your rooms are so well thought out and carefully balanced, while looking effortless. At this point hand tied rugs are really inexpensive at auction sites. I recently bought an 8 by 11 semi antique in good condition for a hammer price of 185. It was a color combo I had been looking for from when they were hand dyed. Your closest one is probably Quinn’s in the DC area. Others within a few hours are Richard Opfer in Baltimore, and William Bunch north of Wilmington. They all are full service, meaning they don’t just do antiques, and post weekly auctions where the best prices are.
May I ask where your art is from over the couch? It is exactly what I have been looking for??
Hi Peg!
Dang, sorry! I made it. LOL. I’m no help. You know who is better than me though is IG: Lauragunnart. She’s the real deal
Love these eclectic rooms! Would love to add the roped trim on my couch and bed skirts, any suggestions as to where I can buy it at an affordable price? I tried googling, but not even sure what you would call it.
Hi Ruthie
We get our bullion fringe from Fringe Market. They have a fantastic selection and you can email them for prices.
The art piece over the blue sofa is gorgeous–I also would like to know the source, if you could be persuaded to share it!
Thanks Sue! I created it but IG:LauraGunnArt does similar custom pieces. Good luck!
Such a great tip. Looks like a fab resource. Thanks for sharing❤️
Thanks so much Gladys❤️
Under the ‘dining room’ photo. Bold black and white rug, there is a fantastic wallpaper. Source? Thank you very much.
Hi Sande
Milton and King- Viva Tropicana
Hi, Please can you tell me where the beautiful heron wallpaper was from in your beautiful bathroom? Thanks
Thanks George. Fine and Dandy Wallcoverings ❤️
So much loveliness to inspire and admire. The gold or brass finials on your stairs, where did you source? Such a fun update to everyday stair cases.
Hi
Thanks
Etsy. French connection I believe