You don’t have to spend a lot to achieve a beautiful, high-end look in your home. With some clever decisions and affordable tweaks, you can make any room feel expensive and trendy without going over budget. The trick is to emphasise small touches that add charm and sophistication so that your space looks as though you’ve hit the design lottery. Here’s how to do it.
Opt for a Neutral Colour Scheme
For stylists and designers, one of the easiest ways to make a room feel luxurious is through a neutral colour palette. Neutrals like white, creamy beige, grey, and light pastels set a peaceful, sophisticated tone. And neutral colours can make a room feel larger and brighter. You can punch it up with accents such as pillows, rugs, or art to keep it interesting.
Invest in Quality Textiles
You don’t have to spend a fortune on furniture for a room to look good. Instead, focus on textiles — think curtains, throw blankets, and cushions. Choose fabrics with a rich texture and soft touch, such as velvet, linen, or well-woven cotton. These are things that add texture and warmth and help the room feel cosy and luxurious. The right colours and patterns can even make discount textiles look high-end.
Add Mirrors to Open Up Space
Mirrors are a cheap and easy way to make any room feel bigger and more impressive. They are reflective, so light bounces around and opens up the space, as well as creates depth. Select a mirror with a fancy frame that adheres to the rest of your room’s aesthetic. Strategically placing a large mirror opposite a window not only gives the illusion of more natural light but also helps make your space look like you won the lottery when it comes to brightness and charm.
Ambient Lighting is Everything
Good lighting can determine the mood of a room. Instead of using a single overhead light source, use a mix of varying lights, such as lamps, sconces and, candles. Warm, soft lighting gives an inviting and elegant look. Search for lamps with unusual shapes or metallic finishes, such as gold or brass, for a bit of glamour without a hefty price tag.
Declutter and Organise
A tidy room is an expensive-looking room. Mess makes all the most expensive rooms feel cheap and messy. Keep things organized by taking the time to tidy and look for clever storage solutions like baskets, boxes or shelves. And when everything’s in its place, your room will have that well-put-together finish and feel.
Add Greenery for Freshness
Plants are a simple way to add life and colour to a room. They actually make the space feel fresh and inviting. You don’t have to have a green thumb or expensive plants — simple, low-maintenance options like snake plants or pothos work well. Put them in pretty pots that complement your decor for a little natural luxury.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to making a room feel more upscale, it’s all about the small thoughtful choices and attention to detail. If you incorporate neutral colours, quality textiles, mirrors, layered lighting, organisation, greenery, and statement pieces, your space will look upscale and welcoming—and you don’t have to spend much.
With a Master in Architectural Studies from University of Pennysylvania, Marwa Haydar has pioneered living spaces since 2005. Her expertise, initially honed in a prestigious architectural firm, is evident in her approach to creating environments. Marwa became part of our team in 2019 and has since been a driving force in our home improvement section, known for her practical yet stylish solutions. She’s been spearheading our design workshops since then, infusing her passion for teaching into her work. In her leisure time, Marwa enjoys exploring historic architecture and is an enthusiastic pottery hobbyist, further enriching her understanding of form and texture.
