10 Cheap Decorating Hacks That Make Your Home Look Expensive
“Expensive-looking” rarely comes from expensive things. It comes from scale, light, texture and restraint: the same tricks designers use in every room they style.
These 10 hacks cost little (several cost nothing), and most of them are renter-friendly. Each one comes with the type of piece to look for if you want to shop it.
10 hacks (and what to shop for each)
1. Hang curtains high and wide
Mount the rod a few inches below the ceiling and several inches past each side of the window. Windows look taller and the whole room looks custom.
2. Choose longer, floor-grazing panels
Curtains that just kiss the floor (usually 95” or 108”) look tailored. Too-short panels are the fastest way to make a room look cheap.
3. Lean one oversized mirror
A large floor mirror bounces light and makes a room feel bigger and more finished than several small pieces.
4. Swap in warm-white bulbs
Bulbs around 2700K make every finish look richer. Replace cool, blue-ish bulbs first; it's the cheapest upgrade on this list.
5. Upgrade cabinet or dresser hardware
Brass, matte black or ceramic knobs change the whole look of a piece. Keep the old ones in a bag to reinstall when you move out.
6. Use bigger, fewer accessories
One large vase reads as more expensive than five small trinkets. Pick a few substantial pieces and leave breathing room.
7. Add texture in neutrals
Bouclé, linen, wool and jute add depth without color clashing. Start with pillow covers and a throw.
8. Size up your rug
At minimum, the front legs of the sofa and chairs should sit on the rug. A rug that floats in the middle makes a room feel smaller.
9. Frame your art properly
Simple frames with a wide white mat make even inexpensive prints look gallery-level.
10. Add a real (or realistic) tall plant
A tall olive tree or fiddle leaf fig in a plain pot adds life and height to a corner.
The three hacks to do first
If you only do three, start with lighting, curtains and editing. Warm light makes surfaces glow, high curtains change the proportions of the room, and clearing a third of your surfaces lets the pieces you love stand out. Together they cost less than a single statement chair.
What usually makes a room look cheap
- Lots of small decor spread evenly over every surface.
- Rugs that are too small for the furniture.
- Cool, harsh overhead light as the only light source.
- Curtains hung right at the window frame and stopping short of the floor.
- Visible cords and too many competing colors.
Frequently asked questions
How can I make my home look expensive on a budget?
Focus on lighting (warm bulbs and lamps instead of only overhead light), hang curtains high and wide, choose fewer and larger accessories, and use texture in a calm color palette.
Are these hacks renter-friendly?
Most are. Curtains can go on tension rods or adhesive hooks rated for the weight, mirrors and art can lean instead of hang, and original hardware can be reinstalled before you move out.
Love these ideas? Save this post for later and follow along for more cozy finds.
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