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House Of Hipsters

Design Tips

How To Make Your Home Look Expensive

June 8, 2022

Today I’m spilling the tea on how to make your home look expensive. I am by no means rich, but when I first began posting home decor on TikTok, one comment I received over and over again was hello #RichTok. Yes, there are times I splurge here and there, but more often than not, I’m looking for budget-friendly home decor. It’s all about finding a good mix and finding the right decor pieces to create a more expensive look. Here are my top 7 design tips to get the look for less.

Table of Contents

  • 1. A Rug Can Make Your Home Look Expensive
  • 2. Repaint The Walls Or Add Wallpaper
  • 3. Consider Adding Curtains Or Window Treatments
  • 4. Replace Those Builder Grade Boob Lights For Statement Makers
  • 5. Create More Natural Light
  • 6. Add Texture To Your Decor
  • 7. Decluttering Is The Easiest Way To Make Your Home Look Expensive
  • One More Way To Make Your Home Look Expensive

1. A Rug Can Make Your Home Look Expensive

A rug sets the foundation for your room, and in my opinion, it might just be the most important piece of decor in any room. Now, I realize area rugs can get pricey, but if you know where to look, you can find some budget-friendly options. First things first, determine your rug size. Unless you’re decorating a small foyer, you will rarely need a 5′ x 7′ rug, and almost every rug in my home is at least 9′ x 12′. So, what are some budget-friendly options that look expensive?

How to make your home look expensive

Vintage Striped Kilim Rug — Ivory Sofa — Glass Top Tables (similar)

Shop vintage rugs — my favorite source is Etsy, BTDubs that shopping board is updated monthly so you’ll want to bookmark that page. A vintage rug will elevate your room design, plus, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece that will make your home unique. However, many times they’re on the smaller side, but I have a solution for that. Layer it over an inexpensive jute rug like this one or this one. Layering your rugs will give your home texture and added dimension.

You can find great deals on Amazon and Rugs Direct when it comes to rugs. Both my front room and living room rugs are 9′ x 12′ area rugs that were under $500. BTDubs, you can now shop my home here. Everything is sourced and I pinkie swear to try my best at keeping it updated.

How to make your home look expensive

Graphic Area Rug — Ralph Lauren Sofa (estate sale) — Green Chair from a Barrington consignment shop — Black Coffee Table (CB2 outlet store)

2. Repaint The Walls Or Add Wallpaper

If you need evidence on how paint can transform a room, peep the photo of my living room above and compare it to the Farrow & Ball DeNimes living room below. Yes, it really is the same room. Can you believe it? Repainting your walls can make your space feel fresh and newly renovated.

how to make your home look expensive

Floor Lamp — Burl Wood Credenza — Frame TV Art — Softest Rug Ever

Wallpaper adds a punch of major personality to your room. If it makes you nervous, start small. I wallpapered the closet in the foyer and my both powder rooms in bold, bright patterns. Let me just say, it took those spaces to god tier. If you’re a renter, there are plenty of removable peel and stick wallpaper designs on the market too! In fact, unbeknownst to me, the black and white palm frond wallpaper in our basement bathroom is temporary.

peel and stick black and white wallpaper in modern bathroom interior design

Black & White Wallpaper — Round Wooden Mirror

On a budget? There are plenty of ways to cut the cost of wallpaper. Ask yourself if it can be used as a half wall, accent wall, or maybe simply backing a bookshelf. You do not need to wallpaper an entire room to make your home look expensive. If you really want that luxe designer look, think about your fifth wall. Yes, you have one in every room — I’m talking about the ceiling. Give that room a fresh coat of paint and shazam wallpaper on the ceiling is *chefs kiss*!

3. Consider Adding Curtains Or Window Treatments

Always, always, always hang curtains. Not only does it give you privacy, but it also helps soften the space and when hung properly, they can make your room appear larger and the ceilings look higher. If you missed my round-up of inexpensive curtains you can buy online, and you’re in the market for new window treatments, don’t sleep on that post. There are some juicy details hidden over there.

When hanging curtains, always hang them high and wide for a more custom, designer look. In the photo below, I hung 2 sets of panels on both sides. The fuller look gives the room a more luxe look. Would you believe me if I told you these gold velvet curtains were from Amazon? Again, yes I splurged on the black wallpaper but saved on other decor items. It’s all about finding that balance and mixing things up.

How to make your home look expensive with curtains

4. Replace Those Builder Grade Boob Lights For Statement Makers

If I had a nickel for every time I said lighting is the jewelry of your room. If you have plain jane ceiling lights, swap them out with one of these boob light alternatives.  If you really want to make your home look expensive, add a statement maker pendant light in the foyer, hallway, or dining room — trust me, it’s worth the investment. Every single time I post the chandelier in my dining room I’m asked, “Where is that light from?”. Again, if you’re a renter, take down the boring light, save it in a box, hang a beautiful light, and swap it back out before you move. Easy peasy.

If money is tight and you’re looking for a more affordable option, check out this flush mount conversion kit. Simply remove the glass cover to your old ceiling light and replace it with a drum shade and diffuser — boom — stylish lighting.

how to make your home look more expensive

5. Create More Natural Light

No, I don’t mean taking a sledgehammer to a wall to make way for another window. There’s a much simpler way to create more natural light. Take another look at the photo of my dining room above. That mirror sits opposite two windows and bounces the light coming into the room. Genius design hack huh? A well-placed mirror can also create the illusion that your room is larger than it actually is. Although I’m fond of using an extra-large floor mirror like this, really any decorative mirror will do the job. If you’re looking for affordable decor, this arched mirror is a great way to get that designer look for less. If you want the look of this vintage mirror for less, take a looksy at this one.

6. Add Texture To Your Decor

Mix and match textures in your room decor to create a luxe interior designer look. Leather, wood, vintage, metal, linen, velvet…you get the picture. Nate Berkus is the king of layering different textures and his rooms give off this casual, eclectic, I’m not trying but I’m trying french girl chic look. The photo below has a lot of texture with the nubby blanket, linen sofa, cable knit rug, and brass table. Even though it’s a neutral color palette, there’s movement. What you can’t see are the wood coffee table and vintage pottery. This space was definitely a vibe.

How to make your home look expensive with curtains

7. Decluttering Is The Easiest Way To Make Your Home Look Expensive

Not only is decluttering free of charge, making it the cheapest way to make your home look expensive, but it also makes your room feel airy and bright. The concept is simple but true. Think about it, while flipping through magazines and catalogs, you’ll notice all the “stuff” is missing. Over the last few years, I’ve slowly minimized the number of things in my home, helping to make unique pieces stand out. To help keep a tidy space, invest in baskets and decorative boxes to wrangle in the blankets and remotes.

One More Way To Make Your Home Look Expensive

There is nothing like old school charm of a ceiling medallion. This is an architectural detail that will immediately elevate your room design. Get my favorites here and learn how to install a ceiling medallion here.

Make Your Home Look Expensive

 

TAGS:Affordable Home DecorcurtainsLightingrugstips and trickswallpaper
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Kyla Herbes

Kyla Herbes is an interior designer and home decor content creator based in Chicago. She shares daily doses of home decor, corners of her home, interior styling tips, and will inspire you to do it yourself. House Of Hipsters won Best Written Blog from the Amara Interior Blogger Awards and her home has been featured in Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, HGTV, The Huffington Post, Refinery29, Rue Magazine, and Style Me Pretty Living. Kyla has also made appearances on BravoTV and WGN TV and was named a Better Homes and Gardens Style Maker 3 years in a row. Kyla sits on the Design Influencers Board Of Directors and was hired by TikTok to become a Creative Learning Partner. When she isn’t blogging or speaking about social media, you’ll find her scouring flea markets for vintage treasures or pushing furniture around her home.

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I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
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I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
2 weeks ago
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SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
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SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
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Months worth of work with a dash of frustration in 12 seconds. It really is all about trusting the process.
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Months worth of work with a dash of frustration in 12 seconds. It really is all about trusting the process.
2 months ago
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(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
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(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
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I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
houseofhipstersblog
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•
Follow
I started decorating Zozo’s bedroom but never finished. Since, she’s decided she no longer likes pink. “Mom, can I get a blue bed?” @jcpenney helped me find a comprise that was not only blue but also affordable and very much this little lady’s bohemian’s style. The bedding and pillows are all from the new Distant Lands Collection. She’s obsessed with the tiger print pillow and the tassels. Side note, she is not a top sheet gal which I’ve been hearing more and more people talk about this. Do you sleep with a top sheet or no? Inquiring minds what to know. SPONSORED
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
houseofhipstersblog
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•
Follow
SWIPE 👆🏻 Finally loving the living room again. Although I’m still missing the built ins. I shopped the @serenaandlily sale for that tray and blanket - there’s a whole round up of favorites over on HouseOfHipsters.com - and I love how the blanket balances out the green chair and the tray softens the black coffee table. What do you think of the new look? #liketkit #LTKhome #LTKsalealert @shop.ltk https://liketk.it/3G7VE
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Months worth of work with a dash of frustration in 12 seconds. It really is all about trusting the process.
houseofhipstersblog
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•
Follow
Months worth of work with a dash of frustration in 12 seconds. It really is all about trusting the process.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
houseofhipstersblog
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•
Follow
(AD) SWIPE FOR ROOM REFRESH 👉🏻 If you’ve been watching Stories that you know I’ve been working hard on this room and I gotta give a shoutout to @JaipurLiving for the new rug in their #KLwithJaipurLiving collection. This is Davina from their new collection with Kate Lester @klinteriors and it really brightened up the entire space. Although they recently showed this one with Harman layered over the top and it’s absolutely dreamy. If you haven’t seen the full collection, head over to their profile and check it out or tap the link below to shop the collection on @rugs_direct. While your there, give them a follow and tell ‘em I say hi. http://bit.ly/3tZgE8p
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/4
@HouseOfHipsters
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