9 Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget

You don't need to spend a lot to make your home look luxe.

The vast majority of those reading this article would like to live in an elevated and luxurious space. However, not all of us can afford to splash out on high-end furniture and ultra-chic décor, no matter how much of a design fiend we may be. Scrolling through social media, looking at perfectly put-together home magazines, or reading our The Makers home tour series, can leave us feeling deflated about not being able to recreate or do exactly what we want with our abodes.

But appreciating a beautifully curated home and not having a huge budget to work with doesn't mean your space needs to look or feel lacklustre. There are plenty of things you can do to elevate your home to look more luxurious than it actually is. And you don't need to spend much doing so.

Below, we share 9 design ideas for making your home look expensive on a budget.

1. Rethink your furniture arrangement

A poorly arranged room can have a huge impact on how it feels. The layout of a room can make a space feel functional and balanced, and therefore either put together or not.

2. Buy good and buy once

The art of buying once is important not only for the environment but for your bank account. You may have noticed that the things you buy don't seem to last very long nowadays, whether it's a washing machine, sofa, or bedding. In being intentional with our purchases and opting for higher quality things you can break the cycle of throwaway things, with good products that will bring you value over the course of a lifetime. It might feel like a hit to your bank account to purchase something of higher quality, but in the long run, it will be cheaper than constantly having to replace poorly-made items and make your home look more put together.

3. Remove clutter

A clutter-free home gives it a clean and intentional look. By removing unused and unwanted items from rooms you can give the pieces that you love and that look the best room to breathe and stand out. If a space is cluttered, it can cheapen the overall look.

4. Add some decorative architectural details

You don't need to redo a whole room to make it look more expensive. Whether it's moulding, wall trim, or a ceiling rose, adding some decorative architectural elements will add a layer of luxury and give your home a classic, timeless aesthetic.

5. Stick to a neutral colour palette

Neutral tones are timeless, classic, and help make a home feel calm. This is particularly important for the larger pieces in your home. A lot of high-end spaces will use neutral furniture and then bring in accessories and textiles for pattern and colour.

6. Switch up your hardware

Sometimes it's the small details which can have a huge impact on the overall aesthetic of your home. An affordable way to make one of your rooms look more expensive is to change up furniture and cabinet knobs and handles. Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or secondhand/thrift stores have a lot of great options for those on a budget.

7. Nail your lighting

We can't overstate the importance of lighting in a home. It's an often overlooked aspect but one that adds dimension to a space and brings a room to life. Great lighting can create depth and height, cosy spots, and draw attention to the best elements of a room.

8. Add flowers or plants

Whether it's a beautifully arranged bouquet or an indoor plant, flowers and greenery has a unique ability to just make people feel good. They add a peaceful element to a home and enhance the overall appearance of a space.

9. Update your entryway

The entrance to your home is the first thing people see so giving it a bit of a spruce up can go a long way in setting a good tone for the rest of the house. You could paint the front door a contrasting colour, add flowers, hang up a mirror, or lay down a nice hall runner, anything to make it feel welcoming.

You don't need to spend a lot to make your home look luxe.