Take inspiration from interior designers and discover how to make a home look expensive
There are plenty of ways to make a home look expensive without the high price tag. The secret to achieving an expensive look for your home isn't actually rooted in the amount you spend. In fact, when it comes to making a home look expensive, less is often more.
Why make a home look expensive? It's obviously wonderful to live in a home that feels well-curated, but it's also a great way to increase your home's value if you are thinking of selling up any time soon.
Whether you are looking forluxury living room ideasorluxury bathroom ideasand beyond, these expertinterior design tipswill help you achieve an expensive aesthetic in every room of your home.
What Makes A Home Look Expensive?
Making a home look expensive primarily comes down to the materials you use and how you dress your space. Every interior design project should begin with a declutter –there are plenty ofdecluttering tipsto help you. Decluttering your home will ensure that you are starting with a clean slate – after-all, clutter definitely doesn't say 'expensive'. It is also important to avoid anything thatmakes your house look cheap. From here you can redesign your space with these high-end ideas in mind.
1. Pick Furniture With Character
Gone are the days of a matching suite of furniture being a marker of great interior design. Today, it's all about texture, interest and character.Decorating with antiques, especially wooden pieces, is a great way to make a houselook expensive. You can mix antique and newer finds to curate a space that is truly unique to you.
'When decorating with wood, resist the urge to pick furniture in the same species or tone as this can sometimes make a room feel flat. Instead opt for pieces with slight colour variation for a more sophisticated and polished look,'
2. Add Character And Texture With Paneling
Originally used in period homes as a method of insulation, todaywall panelling ideasare loved for the way they elevate a room –giving the scheme a sense of gravitas that instantly screams 'expensive'.
There are ideas available for panelling any room of your home, fromliving room panelling ideasthrough tobathroom panelling ideas. Plus, it's a surprisingly cost-effective way to decorate, often more affordable than wallpaper.
While wall panelling is by far the more traditional option, why not considerceiling panelling? One of our favouriteceiling ideas, it adds architectural interest to what can be an overlooked part of your interior design and will also emphasize the height of the space, another technique that makes a home look expensive.
3. Install Statement Lighting
No expensive-looking interior is complete without a chandelier, which, in itself, needn't be costly, vital if you aredecorating a home on a budget. However, they aren't just reserved for houses straight out of a period drama, both modern and traditional homes can both benefit from the instant elegance of a chandelier –and there are plenty ofliving room chandelier ideasfrom which to choose.
One of our favourite ways tomake a living room look expensive,a bold pendant light will also draw the eye upwards, emphasizing the height of the room which in turn makes the space feel bigger and brighter.
'Statementchandeliersare the jewellery of an interior, ‘ A great way to level up your living room is with a grand, statementchandelier, whether that’s an ornate, rococo-style, gilt piece or a contemporary sputnik globe.'
4. Give Your Staircase An Update
Updating your staircase might seem like an unusual way to make a houselook expensive, but newstaircase ideas, whether a new or refinished banister or balustrade or smartly painted risers, can transform the way in which people perceive your home.
'A staircase is an integral part to the structure of any home and is the first thing that yourself and guests see when walking inside, so guaranteeing your entryway is impactful is key. A bespoke staircase is the perfect way to transform a space into something that was once ‘tired’ into somewhere that is stylish and welcoming,'. Let yourself be inspired by the lateststaircase trends, but always stick to a design that suits the period of your home and your existing interior design.
Even if you don't go for a total change, there are many ways todecorate a staircasethat are sure to give your existing flight a new lease of life. Consider ripping upstaircase carpetsthat are worn and replacing them with elegantwood flooring ideasor even wood-look flooring. You can then dress these with prettystair runner ideasthat will help with grip as well as adding aesthetic value.
5. Display Cut Flowers
'It may seem obvious, but having fresh flowers on the counter is an instant colour burst adding endless decorative value,'
Decorating with flowersis a quick and effective way to make a house look expensive. Not only do fresh flowers bring colour and texture to a room but they also bring a sense of life and some even imbue the room with their beautiful fragrance.
'Eucalyptus is a favourite among florists for creating fragrant and luxury displays perfect for high-end interiors. Paired with a simple glass vase and beautifully interspersed among fresh flowers such as lilies, carnations, roses and thistles, the stunning shapes of the eucalyptus stems will add height and dimension to any room and add a look of opulence for a more expensive interior,' s
Why not go a step further byplanning a cut flower gardenso you can harvest fresh blooms from your ownflower beds? 'This is a much more sustainable way of growing flowers for arranging in your home and avoids buying ones that have been flown halfway across the world,'
6. Invest In Art You Love
Decorating with artcan seem like a daunting prospect, from choosing the right colours and textures to size, shape and position. Thankfully, there is lots of advice to help youchoose art for your homeand plenty ofgallery wall ideasthat are sure to inspire.
'Barewallswill make a space feel empty and lacking, but enormous prints of a cityscape are certainly not the way to go. Taking time to invest in pieces you genuinely like, that also fit your space will make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of any room, and help to craft something that feels authentic and meaningful. Don't rush this process or put pressure on yourself to have all your art within six months. Building your collection is all part of the fun,'
7. Replace Carpets With Wood Flooring
Timelessly beautiful, wooden flooring is a highly desirable feature. Loved for its authentic, natural appearance, durability and warmth underfoot, it will add an expensive look to any room in which it is installed.
'Flooring is the key element when it comes to setting the tone for any interior. Get this right and all the other details will fall into place,'
There are lots of options from which to choose. Ageing gracefully, natural wood flooring reveals a characterful differentiation of shades between each board –try thesewood floor ideas for a bedroom.
A reclaimed wood floor is imbued with history and character which is nearly impossible for newer boards to emulate, however it is poorly suited to a kitchen as there are more durablekitchen flooring ideasfrom which to choose. If you love the look of wood but want something a little more budget friendly, luxury laminate wood-style flooring will achieve a similar finish at a fraction of the price.
'Lighter boardscreate an element of freshness all year round and while they might not offer the same drama as their darker counterparts, they still add wonderful character to the home. They are ideal for those who prefer to walk on the fresher, brighter side of interiors,'
8. Incorporate Luxury Materials
You don't have to go all out when adding luxury materials to your home. Yes, amarble bathroomwill look stunning and definitely give off expensive vibes, however, it is not the only way.
First, consider saving in certain areas that don't matter as much to you –perhaps you go for engineered wood flooring over real wood or you opt for a more affordable paint brand –so that you have the budget to invest in the items that really matter to you – maybe a marble sink for your kitchen or grand fireplace for your living room.
You can also accessorize with pieces made from luxury materials, such as a marble tray on a coffee table or a gold candle snuffer; this will help to make your house more look expensive without breaking the bank.
9. Keep Wires Out Of View
We live in a technological world and it is likely that there will be wires in every room of your home, from the TV in the living room, appliances in the kitchen to chargers in the bedroom. However, even the most elegant room will be brought down by a tangle of stray cables. In order to achieve an expensive looking home, it is essential that this source of visual clutteris reduced as much as possible.
If you have a wall mounted television or are thinking aboutTV wall ideas, consider running the cables through the wall to achieve a seamless look. Then hide peripheral devices in sideboards or adjoining cabinetry to continue to wire-free aesthetic.
For device chargers, consider an all-in-one wireless option. The single cable can tuck behind sideboards orbedside tablesand the dock will provide an easy, minimalist way to charge all your devices without all the cables.
In the kitchen, the easiest way is to keep appliances out of sight. Store toasters, blenders and other occasional gadgets in a cupboard or pantry until needed. This will not only reduce the wires but will also keep your kitchen countertops clear.
10. Add A Vintage Rug
'Luxurious rugs can make a home look and feel more expensive. Choose options that are durable and stain-resistant, Knowinghow to choose a rugcan make or break an interior scheme, and the right design is a simple way to elevate your space.
'Rug pads also make a big difference in the design. We usually opt for thicker felt options over the thinner webbed versions. There are some great expensive options out there, but we also love vintage rugs we find on Etsy as a more budget-friendly option,' adds Jessica.
Once you've chosen the perfect design –there are plenty ofbedroom rug ideasorliving room rug ideasthat are sure to inspire – it is also important that you knowhow to clean an area rugin order to keep it looking its best.
11. Don't Overlook The Details
Finishing touches are a great way to make your homelook expensive. Think door handles, drawer pulls, light switches and sockets. These elements are often overlooked but the right design can pull an entire scheme together.
‘Light switches are the most interactive part of your interior and should be an integral part of the design,’ ‘Anything handled so frequently must reflect quality, not only in its look but also in its touch.’
While outlets and switches are small details, this is not a place to skimp –opt for the best you can afford. Create a harmonious look by ensuring that door handles and the pulls on drawers and cupboards are in the same material and finish as your sockets and switches.
Source – Home and Gardens
