10 Design Secrets to Make Your Home Look Expensive

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Want your home to look like it came out of a magazine, without spending a ton of money? It’s possible! You don’t need a fortune to create a fancy and welcoming space. Smart design choices and attention to the small things can make a big difference.

The Key to a Luxurious Look

The most important thing to remember is that a well-designed space is well thought out. It’s not about throwing expensive things together. It’s about making sure everything works together in a pleasing way. Balance and harmony are key to a beautiful home. Money can’t buy taste!

Easy Tips to Elevate Your Home’s Style

Here are 10 simple tips to make your home look more expensive:

Create a Wow Factor

Add one or two special things that grab attention. This could be:

• A cool piece of art
• A fancy light
• A pretty fireplace
• A unique lamp

These items become the focus points of your room and make it look more stylish.

Tip: Use a matted frame to make art look more high-end.

A large vase with flowers or a tall plant can also create a “wow” moment without costing too much. Black olive trees and rubber plants are popular choices.

Layer Your Lighting

Lighting is super important! Don’t just rely on ceiling lights. Use these lighting tricks to make your home look fancy:

1. Spotlights or wall washers: Place them near artwork or on empty walls to highlight them. You can also point them up at plants to create cool shadows.
2. Hidden LED strips: Use them to highlight textures or as task lighting. Make sure the light is soft and even, not harsh.

Aim for three to five light sources in each room, like lamps on tables or floor lamps in corners. Wall lights are also great if you don’t have much table space.

Use High-End Materials (Sparingly)

You don’t need to redo your whole house with expensive materials. Just add a few touches of luxury, like:

• Marble
• Solid wood
• Stone
• Leather
• Textured fabrics

Small items like bookends, vases, or side tables are perfect for adding these materials.

Also, mix different textures to make a room more interesting. Matching furniture sets can look cheap because they are all the same material.

Make sure your cushions are full and fluffy. If you buy cushion covers and inserts separately, get inserts that are one size bigger than the cover. This will make them look plumper.

Choose the Right Window Treatments

Window coverings take up a lot of space, so they have a big impact. When hanging curtains, keep these tips in mind:

• Hang them high and wide to make your room look bigger.
• Use enough fabric so they have deep folds when closed. A good rule is to use fabric that is twice the width of the window.
• Layer window treatments, like a roller blind with sheer curtains.

Pick a Cohesive Color Palette

A well-planned color scheme can make your home look more expensive. It doesn’t have to be neutral! It can be any color, as long as it is used in a balanced way.

The trick is to repeat each color several times in different shades and materials. For example, if you have green cushions, repeat that color in artwork or a rug.

Carry a color or two from one room into other rooms to create a sense of flow. This will tie your whole house together.

Keep Wires and Clutter Out of Sight

A clean and organized home always looks more expensive. Everything in the room should have a purpose, be beautiful, or have sentimental value. If it doesn’t fit one of those, store it away or donate it.

Hide cords and cables! Use cable boxes or covers to keep them out of sight. You can even paint the covers to match your walls.

Add Softness

Many modern homes have too many hard surfaces like glass and metal. Add softness to make your space feel more welcoming.

• Use an upholstered seat instead of a hard coffee table.
• Drape a throw blanket over a chair.
• Mix different textures.
• Add rounded shapes to balance out hard lines.

Highlight Architectural Features

If your home has special features like molding or curved stairways, show them off! If not, you can add them yourself. You can find ready-made kits at home improvement stores. Even simple changes like updating door or window trim can make a big difference.

Study Others

Look at designs you like in magazines, hotels, or online. Pay attention to:

• Color schemes
• Materials
• Furniture styles
• Overall feel

What do they have in common? What do you like best? Use these ideas to create a similar look in your own home.

Use Scent

A signature scent is a simple way to transform your space—warm, calm, or invigorating, it adds an invisible layer of coziness.

Choose scents to match rooms: lavender or sandalwood for serene bedrooms, vanilla or citrus for welcoming living areas, eucalyptus for focused home offices.

Diffusers (with essential oils) or soy candles work best—keep scents subtle, sticking to 1–2 complementary fragrances to avoid overwhelming. Over time, it becomes a comforting, uniquely “you” aroma that makes any room feel like home.

Create Your Dream Home Today!

Creating an expensive-looking home is about smart choices, not just spending a lot of money. By paying attention to details, using these tips, and drawing inspiration from designs you love, you can create a space that feels luxurious and inviting.

Uncover further inspiration in our blog.