It often feels as though a beautifully designed room and a limited budget are mutually exclusive things, but that isn't always the case. Money doesn't buy style, but great style can make a space look far more expensive than it really is.
Here, we've collated a list of 10 of the best ways to elevate your home and make it look more bougie than it really is.
1. START WITH A NEUTRAL PALETTE
White walls and neutral furniture are timeless canvases that make changing, adding and upgrading everything else a cinch, because you don't have to worry that it'll all fit in together. Plus, neutrals tend to always look great and make a space look bigger (perfect for poky apartments).
2. SPLURGE ON THE BIG STUFF
Dropping a few thousand dollars on a sofa might seem like a waste, but consider this: you'll sit on it almost every day for at least 10 years. Put that way, it makes sense that you'd spend some serious cash on an item like this rather than buying several cheap versions over the years. Save your pennies on stuff that won't last the distance, like accents. Art is another area to invest in that will elevate your home tenfold, and can really tie a room together.
3. LAYER, LAYER, LAYER!
A great-looking home looks complete and pulled-together, and layering is the key to this (a little like the right shoes pull together an outfit). Layering gives your rooms depth and warmth, and ensures they look like they belong in a home, not a museum. A plush throw and decorative cushions are an easy way to make your living room look more impressive and cohesive.
4. TOSS THE STUFF YOU HATE
If your dining table has seen better days, it's time to upgrade. If your light fixtures look like they were installed in the '60s, invest in some new ones. You don't have to spend a fortune, but changing the things you don't like will make your space feel instantly more inhabitable, and will clear the way for you to see what's missing or what needs to be done.
5. FAKE BUILT-INS
Built-in custom cabinetry looks super-expensive... because generally, it is. But you can fake the look with a cabinet (or several cabinets) that fit the space you have exactly. Our tip: start at IKEA.
6. GO BIG
The bigger the rug, the bigger the space will feel. And the bigger the space feels, the more expensive it'll look. The lesson? Go big. Really big. Temple & Webster have some great rugs for a very affordable price.
7. REPLACE THE FIXTURES
Dated hardware (like taps and drawer handles) can really drag a space down. Upgrading is relatively inexpensive, and is usually a DIY job, to boot. Plus, it's generally relatively inexpensive, so it's a good area to go a bit wild in and make a statement or embrace a trend. When and if you get over it, you can always replace them again and change the whole feel of the room.
8. GO OVERSIZE
Large-scale artworks look amazing – and expensive. But they don't have to have the price tag to match. Go to second-hand stores, student art shows and even IKEA to score cool finds. If you can't find anything you like, then it's also really easy to make your own - whether you start from scratch or paint over an exisiting piece. That way you can make it look like it's a custom piece commissioned for the space, because it will be!
9. DISTRACT FROM YOUR TV
We all love Netflix, but let's face it: your TV is hardly the prettiest item in your house. Camouflage yours by surrounding it with a gallery wall of artworks – it'll blend in more and won't look so, well. TV-like. Alternatively, you can invest in a TV like the Samsung Frame which looks like art hanging on your wall and will save you the cost of buying artwork for your living room or bedroom.
10. ADD DECORATIVE MOULDINGS
Even if your room is quite bare or on the petite side, decorative mouldings will add an instant sense of grandeur and character to your home.
Source homestolove.com.au