Not everyone has the budget to buy or build an expensive-looking home, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle with the look of your home right now, either. Even if you have a lot of money to spend on your home, it can be easy to feel like you’re not quite doing enough with it. The best thing about learning how to make your home look expensive, though, is that it doesn’t have to break the bank.
There are plenty of affordable ways to upgrade your home, and sometimes they’re even upgrades that are so subtle no one will notice what exactly you did. If you’re looking to upgrade your house without spending much, here are ways you can make your home look luxurious and expensive without having to compromise on price.
Upgrade Your Doorknobs
Many people are unaware that updating doorknobs can immediately make your home look more expensive. Most interior door hardware has been around for a century and hasn’t changed since then. Doorknobs have gotten sleeker, but they’re still basically rectangular blocks with a turning mechanism.
With something as visible as a doorknob, minor tweaks matter in making your home appear high-end—and changing up even one door is enough to give you a better first impression. In addition to looking nicer than traditional knobs and handles, many newer door latches lock automatically when shut for added security.
Invest in Lighting Fixtures
There are so many options to choose from when it comes to home lighting, but if you’re on a budget and you want to improve your space’s overall ambiance while still saving money, go with less expensive floor or table lamps. They can create an immediate sense of warmth and luxury when placed properly. Are you not interested in investing in table lamps? Even better: opt for floor lamps with storage built right into them. Floor lamps are also great because they offer more flexibility than traditional ceiling lights. You can put them anywhere you want—right next to your favorite reading chair, by the kitchen island, even smack dab in between stacks of clothes piled high on your bedroom floor.
Upholster Your Dining Chairs
While it may seem like a shallow expense, adding a new seat to an old dining chair is an affordable way to make your home look more expensive. For just $50 or so, you can quickly upgrade and customize your dining room chairs. Just measure, cut, and glue—it’s that simple. Upholstered chairs are stylish, but they’re also practical. They protect wooden chairs from stains while adding extra comfort. You can change them as often as you’d like without having to shell out money for new furniture. If you want to keep costs low, upholster your seats using scrap fabric; then cover with clear contact paper to help protect against spills.
Change Your Flooring
It’s all about the little details when you want to make a room feel more upscale. While updating your lighting, fabrics and furniture can be helpful, upgrading your flooring is often one of the easiest ways to do so. Polished concrete floors or ceramic tile often seems pricier than they are and can give any space an instant facelift.
You could also consider swapping out wood for laminated floors. Laminated hardwood floors tend to look like solid hardwood but are much cheaper. They are also easier to maintain and more resistant to water and scratches than natural wood is, so they can stand up against life with kids and pets. Kitchen floors need a lot of attention, from heavy foot traffic to washing machines flooding them each week. Installing kitchen laminate flooring can be a resilient option to turn that chaos into a sleek upgrade.
Purchase New Furniture
Buying new furniture is an easy way to make your home look expensive. First off, look for cheap furniture online like Craigslist. It may not be in perfect condition or designer brands, but it can still fit into any room of your house. Another smart move is to buy second-hand items from antique shops and consignment stores. It can help avoid splurging on more expensive items and still create a luxurious-looking home.
Invest in Quality Mattresses
If you want to sleep like a king, invest in top-quality bedding. Mattresses and pillows are often considered afterthoughts, but they can make or break your night’s sleep. If you wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed, it’s time to upgrade your mattress. Bedding made from high-quality materials—like memory foam—is soft and supportive, which is perfect if you want something more comfortable. Not only will it upgrade your bedroom but your sleep, too.
With some effort, you can make your home look expensive without investing thousands of dollars into decorating. By simply adding a few finishing touches, you’ll be on your way to reaping rewards that far outweigh those costs.
