30 Ways to Make Your House Look Expensive on a Budget (2024)

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30 ways for how to make your home look expensive and intentional the easy way without costing you the high end designer bucks.

I blameTikTokfor this post. (By the way, I feelreallyold over there, but I digress.)

The other night, the house was feeling all cozy and cute with our lamps turned on and I thought, “Ah. I should takea little video of our foyer and dining room.” (Because they were literally the only two rooms not covered in laundry at the moment, ya know?)

Next thing I knew, TikTokers were commenting on that random video that it looked like “Nancy Meyers core” and “Luxe!” and saying, “It’s giving Pride and Prejudice vibes!”

Who are these people and how do I tell them that basically half of this place is thrifted?

So anyways, that sent me on a tailspin of ideas for this post of ALL the little ways for how to make your house look expensive (and basically fool everyone that you’re a designer worthy of Mr. Darcy, apparently).

How to Make Your House Look Expensive on a Budget

1. Paint Doors a Contrasting Color

Instead of the standard, basic white, painting your doors a different color is a great way to make your home look more expensive. Most of ours are painted Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron.

But you could also try a steely gray or a mushroomy taupe. Go bold with a punch of color, if that’s your style. Choosing anything but plain white makes your home feel custom without needing to spend a lot. Here’show to paint interior doors.

2. Add Molding, Wall Trim, or Architectural Details

There are so many different ways toDIY molding and wall trimout there. Or you canbeef up your existing crown molding with this quick trickor make a grid wall as a focal point.

However you can add millwork or some form of wall treatment to your spaces is a huge plus for adding a layer of luxury.

3. Go Large with Wall Art

One of the best ways to make a room feel luxe is to add large statement-making wall art. It doesn’t have to be expensive at all. We built thislarge scale art using a shower curtain. Or create thislarge art with plywood and lattice strips. Visit the thrift store to find large canvases to paint over. It’s one of the easiest ways to stretch your decorating budget.

Even though it isn’t actually that expensive to create, large scale art gives the illusion that it cost a couple thousand dollars.

4. Change Out Your Hardware

It’s amazing how taking basic cabinets and adding unique knobs can create major wow factor.

Add some interesting drawer pulls to a plain dresser. Or swap out your doorknobs around the house for ones with a vintage (or ultra modern) vibe. Those small details make such a difference.

5. Declutter

If you really want to know how to make your house look expensive for totally free, decluttering doesn’t cost a thing. This is especially important in small spaces.

You don’t necessarily have to be a minimalist, but the goal should be to make a “home” for every item in a room. You don’t even have to be an interior designer to improve your space in that way.

6. Streamline Your Gallery Walls

Creating colorful, eclectic, quirky gallery walls issomuch fun, but if your goal is to create the illusion of “high end”, scaling back on the variety of colors, shapes, and textures achieves that luxe room look.

Choose art or photos that are within a similar color palette. Incorporate frames that are similar (or identical) in size and shape. Arrange them in a geometric layout like a grid or stair step.

The more uniform and symmetrical the art and layout, the more streamlined your gallery wall will look.

7. Add Flowers or Plants

Every room needs at least a couple of plants or fresh flowers (or faux) for adding some life to a space. Think spa. Greenery just adds that little bit of zen to a room.

These are some of my favoritefaux flowers that look realisticto place in a vase.

8. Use White Bed Linens

When you visit a luxury hotel, the sheets are always white. They feel clean and crisp (and bonus points: they can be bleached).

By using white sheets and duvets in your bedrooms, you’re evoking that same luxurious look of a hotel in your home. These aremy favorite budget-friendly sheets, and these aremy favorite splurge sheets.

9. Use White Towels

Just like with white bedding, use white towels to create a high end spa feeling in your bathrooms. It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to create that high-end look. Bonus points: white towels can make a huge difference in your skincare too since you can more easily bleach away bacteria.

These are some ofmy go-to budget bathroom towels.

10. Hang Your Curtains “High and Wide” and Kiss or Lightly Puddle the Floor

Design tip: Hanging floor-to-ceiling window treatments on curtain rods high above window frames and wider than the window trim gives the illusion of high ceilings and large windows. This makes the space look larger overall. Make sure they’re long enough to hang floor to ceiling so the hem of your curtains barely touch the floor (or slightly puddle for a more relaxed, romantic look).

I love theseluxury for less curtains from Amazon.

11. Customize Your Lighting – When In Doubt, Oversize It

If you don’t know how to make your house look expensive at all, start with the light fixtures.

Swap out the dreaded “boob lights”and builder grade lights for ones that are more expressive of your style. (These shaded chandeliersare the perfect blend of modern and traditional.)

It’s better to choose a light fixture or chandelier that is slightly oversized than one that is too small for the room. You canDIY this sunburst light fixturehere. Keep an eye out for chandeliers or fixtures from the thrift store that you can spray paint.

12. Add Built-Ins

Built-in shelving, window seats, or closets can be so expensive, but if you know how to make them yourself using IKEA hacks, they’re a great beginner level carpentry project that can customize a room for way less than the real thing.

See how tobuild your own custom closet using IKEA shelves. Or you can make theseDIY built-in shelvesfor a living room or playroom.

13. Choose Natural Materials

Whenever possible, incorporate materials that are found in nature. Go with real marble instead of laminate (likethis marble coffee table I thrifted) or pick solid wood furnishings rather than veneer (that you can often find secondhand for less).

Leather, antique brass, and crystal feel luxe in comparison to their cheaper alternatives, and you can oftenscore them on Facebook Marketplaceor at antique stores. The end result when pulling those materials together creates the feeling that your house is luxurious and expensive too.

14. Use Appropriately Sized Rugs

Seethis post for more help in choosing the best sized rugfor your room. When walking into a space that has a too-small rug, it immediately feels off balance.

If you live in an open concept home, rugs can help define individual living spaces.

Check clearance sections on store websites for rugs (here’sthe list where I recommend to buy rugs), or set up notifications on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Many people buy rugs and change their minds but can’t return them, so you can swoop in to get the deal.

15. Layer Your Lighting

Designers often recommend for a room to have 3 types of lighting: ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.

• Ambient or “general” lighting– canned lights, chandeliers, ceiling-mounted fixtures, buffet lamps, etc.
• Task lighting– lights to help you see tasks better such as under-cabinet lights, desk lamps, table lamps, reading lamps, etc.
• Accent lighting– lights used to create a feeling of “atmosphere” such as picture lights, candlelight, wall-mounted sconces, etc.

In the living room below, the chandelier is the ambient lighting, the floor lamp and table lamp are the task lighting for reading, and the wall-mounted sconces beside the TV are the accent lighting.

Layering those 3 types of lighting adds depth to a room and helps set the mood.

Bonus points:put them on dimmer light switches!

16. Go for Down or Down Alternative Throw Pillows One Size Larger

Ditch the floppy poly-fill throw pillow inserts for down or down alternative ones to make your beds and sofas feel a little more upscale like those in expensive homes. If possible, choose inserts one size larger than your throw pillow covers.

(Tip:Hit the clearance aisle of TJ Maxx or HomeGoods to find super marked down or damaged down pillows. Toss or donate the cover and use the insert to replace a poly-fill one in a cover you already own. I’ve found down inserts for around $5-8 as an affordable way to get the look.)

17. Paint Walls and Trim the Same Color

A fresh coat of paint can do so much for the overall look of your home. If you’re feeling extra brave, paint the ceiling too! The end result makes a huge impact with the illusion of a room of more square footage.

18. Incorporate Heirloom Quality Pieces

You can find high quality furniture pieces and decorative elements at estate sales and flea markets for a total bargain! And now that grandmillennial style is “in”, that creates even more opportunity to grant vintage furniture a new lease on life. You would be surprised what touch of luxury is waiting to be discovered in your local classifieds at a bargain.

Seehow to clean wood furniture hereand make it look brand new.

19. Update Your Lamp Shades

Lamps can date a room instantly, but you can get fresh updates to your style by simply swapping out an old lamp shade for one that’s more modern on the existing base. It’s one of those small changes that creates a whole new look without the need of purchasing an entirely new lamp. 2700 Kelvin light bulbs can achieve a feeling of coziness.

See moreinexpensive designer dupe lampshere.

20. Use Neutrals Wisely

When budget is tight, stick to neutrals as your “base” for a simple way to achieve sophistication- like curtains, furniture, area rug, paint colors. Then, allow pops of color and trends to shine through your home decor accents and personalized the look of any room.

It’s much easier to change those smaller accents later versus changing an entire room of large bold, patterned pieces.

21. Don’t Hold Back on Bold, Rich Hues

On the flipside of #20, don’t be afraid to punch a room with a hit of bold, rich color if your heart says to go for it!

I love usingnavy blue paintbecause it’s dramatic and sophisticated but can still act as a neutral when you want it to. It creates a more expensive look for just the cost of paint. If you’re going to go all in,go all in.

The best guideline for creating a luxe looking home in case choosing paint colors scares you: pick the paint colors at the very top or very bottom of the paint color sample strip. There’s a feeling of sophistication when it comes to high contrast spaces.

22. Mat Your Photos

There’s something about adding that thick, white paper mount around a photo. It’s a luxurious upgrade to art that makes it feel special and important.

You can find all kinds of picture frames out there already matted at Target or Walmart, or pick up a mat at the craft store for around $5-10 to fit any frames you already own.

23. Make an Impact with Wallpaper

Nothing says custom in a house quite like wallpaper. If you’re afraid of commitment, go with peel and stick instead of the pasted type.

24. Add a Backsplash

One of the most budget-friendly ways to upgrade the look of your kitchen is to add a backsplash to the drywall under your cabinets.

If tile is too pricey or you don’t feel quite skilled enough, this DIYpressed tin backsplashis a fast, tool-free, inexpensive alternative.

One day, we plan to fully remodel this kitchen, but that backsplash helped refresh it a lot.

25. Be Mindful of Your Home’s Scent

Run a diffuser with some of your favorite essential oils, warm wax melts, light a candle, get a plug-in fragrance diffuser. Thesecharcoal bagsare great for absorbing old house smells and cooking smells. Indoor plants can make a big difference to help cleanse the air as well.

Whatever you choose, the smell in our homes creates a sensory experience unlike any other. That one change can do so much.

Related: How to Make Your House Smell Good Naturally

26. Mismatch Your Furniture

Resist the urge to buy all of your living room furniture or bedroom furniture as one set from the furniture store.

Instead, swap out one of the matching dressers with a dresser in another bedroom to allow variation. It’s an interior design trick that can make your rooms look more custom.

27. Reflect Light in Dark Spaces with a Large Mirror

One of the best interior design tricks to make a house look expensive is by reflecting light on dark walls opposite from windows with a mirror to help rooms feel bigger and brighter.

I love theseantique gold mirrorsespecially that add a luxe quality.

28. Put Toys In Cabinets and Bins When Not In Use

Utilize bins, closets, and cabinets as one of the most effective ways for keeping toys out of sight after play time. (Bonus: It teaches kiddos the responsibility of clean=up time too.)

Related: Secret Toy Storage in the Playroom + the Chicest Amazon Storage Furniture

29. Thrift for Vintage Items

Use this post fora list of the best items to look out for at the thrift store. By mixing old and new decor, your home feels a bit more steeped in history and adds a layer of sophistication without a lot of money.

30. Be Intentional with Household Items

There are plenty of ways to make household items more aesthetic. Decant hand soap into glass soap dispensers, keep cooking utensils in a displayable container, store Q-tips in an apothecary jar, pick a “pretty” toilet brush… it’s the little things you use all the time that add up to a better daily experience.

But it also reduces visual clutter by eliminating plastic packaging. The reduction of clutter makes your space feel more inviting to you and others.

Got any other budget-friendly ideas you’d add in about how to make your house look expensive?

Whew! 30 ways is a long list, but I’m sure there are more out there.

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