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22 Brilliant Home Design Tips That Look Ultra-Expensive But Aren’t

A limited budget shouldn’t stop you from going for a high-end look in your home. Creativity and imagination allow you to have an elegant and expensive-looking space without breaking the bank. As with any other project, planning and staying within your spending limits is key.

Some of these DIY projects can be completed with materials you already have at home. The others might require a quick trip to the store to pick up a few inexpensive items.

Check out the following budget decorating ideas and see which ones will make your home exude luxury and sophistication.

1. Lighten Up

women changing LED light bulb
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Chances are you haven’t changed your light bulbs or lighting fixtures for years. Switching to more recent designs that are stylish and cheap will instantly update your indoor space. You can install sconces and spotlights to highlight the room’s design details or any other decorative visuals.

Don’t underestimate how a different-colored lightbulb can change your space!

2. Update Pulls and Knobs

Kitchen cabinet knobs, pulls, handles for display at a home center.
Image Credit: Public Domain/WikiCommons.

The same outdated hardware is also making your kitchen look drab and tired. By changing pulls and cabinet knobs to trendy and cheap but upscale-looking hardware, you’ll have fresh visuals instantly.

Remember that pulls come in varied sizes, so take measurements of the fastener holes before heading to the hardware store.

3. Add More Greenery

Houseplants
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

It’s easy to run up your credit card purchases with decorative items that look good but have no practical use. On the other hand, small plants are cute, cheap, and lift the mood of indoor spaces.

Choose pots that match and complement your other décor to maintain a balanced motif.

4. Tray It Up

Solo, Central Java, Indonesia - May 5th 2024: Selective focus of decorative tray on the table. Reed diffuser, candle, gold and greenery. Neutral indie aesthetic.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Decorative trays can serve multiple purposes and won’t cost much. They help keep clutter to a minimum by holding small items such as keys and baubles and making them look intentional aesthetic-wise.

These trays also work well as a base for seasonal decorations, making your holiday decor look effortless and perfectly themed.

5. Hang Curtains High and Wide

woman hanging curtains
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Simply hanging your curtains higher and wider than the window is enough to trick the eye into believing they are custom drapes. Make sure to use curtain rods that are longer than the width of your window.

If your drapes hang well past the edges of the window sill, they’ll create the illusion of a larger space, which works wonders in apartments and mixed-use rooms.

6. Liven up the Curtains With Trim

Stock Photo ID: 2134750493. Detail of theatre curtain trimmings textile close up. Decorative curtains, home decor, window, drapes, valance, tassels.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Adding trim or ribbons to the entire length of a curtain panel’s edge can instantly change its look. Available in various styles and colors, including fringes and tassels, trims are easy to choose that match your curtains and design theme.

The trims provide an affordable way to further dress up window treatments and give them a custom look. Don’t be afraid to bust out your old sewing machine!

7. Update Lamp Shades

A close up of vintage glowing lamp shade.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

How long has your lamp been sitting unnoticed, often relegated to a mere visual noise? Bring that sad lampshade to life with a quick redesign using paint and stickers. Don’t be afraid to experiment with materials such as burlap or wicker baskets for the shade or use figurines and mini sculptures as the base.

This is your chance to let your imagination run wild — so don’t be afraid to make bold design choices.

8. Add More Mirrors

Living room with decorative mirror
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Mirrors are immensely helpful in adding elegance to your indoor space by brightening it up and enhancing its visual appeal. Mirrors can make your interiors look larger and help illuminate gloomy areas inside your home.

They come in all shapes and sizes, so choosing one that complements your design theme will be easy.

9. Liven up a Wall

Golden, green and grey accents in contemporary living room interior, decor, wall art, canvas
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Turn a large swath of your home’s drab surface into a gallery wall. Use a combination of family photos, mirrors, and printable artwork to liven up the surface. The key to mastering this design element is to vary the shape and finishes of the frames you use.

Here’s a pro tip: thrift stores have a great selection of artwork and frames you can pick up for a low price.

10. Create Your Art And…

A room with multiple pieces of artwork from West Elm, including wall hangings, pottery and figures.
Image Credit: West Elm.

It’s time to embrace your inner Bob Ross. You can easily create a high-end piece of art using simple school and crafting supplies.

You’ll save money by making one-of-a-kind DIY pieces far cheaper than mass-produced pictures at any home decor store. Best of all, you’ll infuse your walls with your style and personality.

11. …Make It Large

Painting, artist, woman, brushes, canvas, art, drawing, hobby
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you have the patience to create a larger DIY art project, please do so. Nothing says “expensive” more than large-scale artwork.

The piece will be larger than life and will command the attention of anyone seeing it. Whether your work takes up an entire wall or only a portion of it is up to you.

12. Repaint Your Furniture

Young woman painting drawer. Cat lying nearby.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Old and dull fixtures give your home a tired, uninspiring atmosphere. A fresh coat of paint will transform your dated furniture into something chic and contemporary.

If you haven’t done it before, look up how-to instructions on how to strip, sand, and prepare old furniture to do the job properly.

13. Paint With Gold

Empty gold picture frames at for sale flea market
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Everyone has always associated gold with luxury and poshness; you can use this to your advantage. With a can of spray paint, you can add a touch of gold to vases, picture or mirror frames, and any decoration you please.

This is a simple and effortless way to give old decor a high-end look.

14. Rug the Right Way

Persian rug
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Choosing a rug in the right size is important, especially if you’re working with a small space. Although its pattern and design may catch your attention first, the right-sized rug will elevate and make your space look expensive.

The trick to choosing the proper rug is to pick one that can fit most, if not all, of your furniture on its surface.

15. Use Velvet Fabric

Lottie Velvet Sleeper Sofa from Urban Outfitters SS24 online catalog.
Image Credit: Urban Outfitters.

Velvet has long been a fabric of opulence and luxury, but its synthetic version is cheap. Use it on your pillows, throws, and furniture to make them look both inviting and luxurious.

The fabric will transform your room into a more comfortable space, keeping it warm and cozy during the cold months.

16. Add a Visual Centerpiece

Vintage and cozy space of dining room with mock up poster frame, yellow sofa, wooden coffee table, guitar, plants, commode, decoration and personal accessories. Stylish home decor.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If there’s one item you can invest in, it should be a statement piece, such as a unique piece of furniture. The item must be bold and visually stunning enough to draw attention to itself and elevate everything else in the room.

It should also provide you with ample freedom to decorate around it.

17. Paint an Accent Wall Or…

accent wall, navy wall, blue wall, decor
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Perhaps nothing else creates a larger visual impact inside a room than an accent wall. Adding a pop of color to one of the surfaces of your indoor space will give the room a focal point with a sophisticated look.

You can paint on a single bold color, a combination of shades, or a stylish abstract mural if you’re more adventurous.

18. …Install Decals and Wallpapers

Geometric Pattern Wallpaper
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

An alternative to painting an accent wall is installing decals, wallpaper, and graphic tiles. These are a faster, easier, and stress-free way to achieve a wall that will stand out from the rest.

Depending on your design theme, you can install decals that give your space a rustic and traditional look or a more design-forward style.

19. Refresh With Peel-and Stick Tiles

Stock Photo ID: 2453957063. In the process of mounting peel and stick mosaic tiles onto a foam board, perfect for enhancing a food photography studio's aesthetic. Tiles, home decor, interior design, decorating.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You can upgrade the floor and walls in your kitchen on a budget with peel-and-stick tiles. This cost-effective and renter-friendly option of jazzing up your surfaces is yet another fast and effortless way to redecorate without breaking the bank.

Choosing busy patterns will also help hide stains and discoloration on the floor and walls.

20. Reupholster Your Furniture

Stock Photo ID: 2406777677. Close up of caucasian man's hands using a staple gun to reupholster a dining room chair seat in green fabric.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You may not have noticed it, but your home’s old upholstery already gives your space a tired look. By reupholstering, the new fabric will breathe life into your furniture and refresh and energize your space.

That said, choosing pieces you can reupholster when investing in new furniture will also be cost-effective.

21. Stylize With Floating Shelves

Home interior of a trendy, stylish, bright Scandinavian-style kitchen with open shelves. Loft interior. White brick wall. Modern and minimal, clean and lofthaus.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Installing floating shelves is an alternative way to use and stylize a blank wall. Floating shelves allow you to jazz up an underused space, such as a kitchen nook or corner with an awkward slope.

If you have the tools and some DIY experience, you can add floating shelves to hold your decorative pieces or as extra storage space.

22. Decorate With Books

book wall art
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

One out-of-the-ordinary advantage for bibliophiles is that they can use their book collection to decorate their spaces. Books never go out of style, and you can incorporate them as design pieces in almost any area inside your home.

Apart from the usual books on the coffee and living room tables, try stacking them on your floating shelves, media stands, and dressers.

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