My goal with our own home renovation has always been to give it a high-end look and feel without breaking the bank. Here are 20 ways you can upgrade your home to look expensive without spending a ton of money.
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Replacing your small, original baseboards with taller baseboards that are 6+ inches high.
2. Adding detailed trim molding and architectural detail to your home. You could add a variety of accent walls to your home. This adds both texture and character to a room. Checkout my blog post on 7 beginner-friendly accent walls.
3. Adding new trim molding around windows and doors or adding onto the existing trim. You can go straight and modern or more traditional with decorative trim.
4. Adding ceiling moldings always makes a home feel expensive and adds a ton of architectural interest to a space. You can add ceiling details like crown molding, coffered ceilings, or beams.
5. Create atmosphere and mood with lighting. Don’t be afraid to add multiple types of lighting in one room. Some ways you can add lighting to your is with sconces in an entryway or hallway, lamps in living rooms and bedrooms, or a gallery light over a piece of art.
6. Update lighting throughout the home and adding 1-2 statement lighting pieces such as a statement chandelier in the dining room and/or entryway.
7. Adding custom built-ins and shelving gives a custom look to any space. Some examples are built-in cabinetry in a home office or study, a built-in bench with storage in a mudroom, adding shelving or counter space in a laundry room, and custom built-ins on the TV wall of the living room.
8. Replacing flooring, especially carpets in the home, will always give a more high-end feel. Wood flooring, engineered wood flooring and luxury vinyl wood plank can give a timeless look. Checkout my blog post on laying Luxury Vinyl Plank over existing tile.
9. Replacing interior door knobs and cabinet hardware is an easy way to upgrade the look and feel of a home.
10. Using large scale art in the home can give an expensive look. I purchase art prints on Etsy, print them at a local print shop and build or buy a budget frame to save money on large art. Adding a matte to the art will also give a high-end look.
11. Incorporating statement furniture pieces and antique pieces in the home makes any space feel unique and custom.
12. Hanging curtains and drapes high on the wall above windows gives a high-end look and also makes the ceilings feel taller. Go one step further and use pinch pleat curtains for a luxury look.
13. Adding real or fake exposed brick or stone adds a ton of character and interest.
14. Replacing interior doors, adding detailed trim to interior doors and painting doors with a contrasting color is a great way to make any home feel more expensive.
15. Replacing stair rails and balusters or painting/staining existing ones is a great way to enhance the feel of a home.
16. Using marble or exotic looking stone counters and backsplash in kitchens and bathrooms give a timeless look. To save money, I forgo Marble counters and have been able to find a quartz option that is much more affordable. See my blog post on my quartz countertops.
17. Updating fireplace tile, the surround, hearth and/or the mantel can completely change the look of a room. Consider using timeless, high-end looking materials like a marble-look stone.
18. Add plants and/or flowers at least once in every room. This can be fake or real plants and could be any size from a 7ft tree to a potted plant on a shelf to a vase of flowers on the kitchen counter.
19. Mix in natural materials and textures throughout your home. When choosing furniture and decor try to use and mix in real wood (instead of fake veneer), woven natural materials (like a jute basket or rug), metals like brass (could be in decor pieces), and real stone instead of fake or laminate alternatives.
20. Avoid using matching furniture sets like a bedroom set or living room set. Although they are very convenient, they don’t give the look of high-end or custom. It’s ok to have matching nightstands or matching living room end tables but try to avoid the 5-piece matching sets that are sold at furniture stores. Instead try adding in at least one unique piece to the room like an antique coffee table in a living room or a non-matching dresser in a bedroom. This gives a curated look and feel to a home.
There are so many ways that you can make your home look and feel expensive while staying on a budget. Hopefully this list will help get you started!