Make your home look more expensive on the cheap with small touches, smart decisions and simple DIY

Shop at Thrift and Antique Stores Never judge a store by its logo or storefront because you have no idea what treasures it will hold. You can find real gems at thrift stores. And don’t be afraid of a little hard work, if your initial purchase isn’t exactly what you wanted, be open to repainting, switching out hardware, or changing the fabric. Quality secondhand finds will add a high-end look to your home. Anyone can make a nasty seat nice in just a couple of hours. This is a great way to stage a completed fix&Flip.

Make a Good First Impression After opening and shutting, welcoming visitors, and keeping out harsh weather for 20, 30 or sometimes even 100 years, your front door is likely showing some wear and tear. If you’re looking for a total do-over, replace the front door completely. And if you’re looking for an instant-refresher without the price tag, sand the door and paint it a bright blue or red, something to contrast with the rest of your home. Spend Your Money Wisely Pay attention to detail when buying staple items. Staging furniture that is made well will give your space a high-end look. And spending money on long-haul items, like a couch, allows you to mix in refurbished thrift items or DIY projects while keeping the look of the room upscale. It’s important to invest in your staple items, but buy budget-friendly items when purchasing throw pillows and other accessories. This combination creates a high-end look that has design longevity without making you go over budget.

Keep It Clean Minimalism is your friend when it comes to making your home look high-end. And fortunately buying fewer pieces is cheaper than buying more pieces. Additionally, stacking clutter into neat piles is very effective, and cleanliness is next to fanciness. The most important element when it comes to making a home look attractive and expensive are your intentions with the space, so make it your own and keep it clean! Hang Up Art Art makes a home feel more personal and intentional, and coordinating/matching frames can make children’s art, postcards and photo booth strips look gallery-worthy. If you find a cheap frame you love, buy as many as you can afford and add/switch out art whenever you’re in the mood. A gallery wall can be a stunning design centerpiece in a living room, bedroom, staircase or hallway. With these simple steps, create a masterpiece look with any combination of framed photos, artwork, heirlooms and other hanging décor. Add Classic Or Modern Wainscoting If you’re willing to invest a few days in transforming a room and are a fan of a more traditional look, wainscoting is the way to go. The cost varies, but installing these wood panels in a small to midsize room shouldn’t cost more than a few hundred dollars. And the results are hard to ignore: bright white, clean lines and a classic finish.  

Update Your Light Fixtures If that outdated eyesore overhead makes you cringe, ditch it! Swapping out an old light fixture for a new one instantly updates the ambiance of your space. And before you begin installing new light fixtures, faucets, door handles and cabinet hardware, think hard about your personal style, which material (brass, brushed nickel, stainless steel) best reflects that and which is the most timeless. Then, make each fixture consistent throughout the home.

Try Luxe Paint Treatments Instead of sticking to interior eggshell paints, opt for a special paint treatment in a few key spots in your home. With finishes like metallic stripes, sandstone, random rectangles, textured sand and brushed suede, to name a few, you’ll create a purposeful and elegant look that will draw the eye exactly where you want it to go.  Stick With the Classics Have you ever noticed how most high-end homes are flooded with neutrals? This is because neutrals feel calm and classic. Bring high style to rooms by choosing neutral hues for anything that’s expensive to update, such as floors, fixtures, and upholstery, and using accessories to introduce bold colors and textures; a neutral base lets hotter hues take center stage. Timeless Trimmings Bright, fresh molding can work wonders for any room. And despite the fact that it’s brand new, no one will know the difference between classic trim that was installed 50-plus years ago, and the project you just completed last weekend. If you own a table saw, this one’s for you.

Subway Tile Subway tile is beautiful and timeless. And best of all, it gives you a lot of bang for your buck. Subway tile is an affordable option for kitchens and baths, so you can keep costs low and achieve a stunning look.  Fake Built-Ins If you like the look of built-ins but don’t want to splurge on a custom design, use bookcases to create the appearance of floor-to-ceiling built-ins. The IKEA Billy bookcase is one of the store’s most popular items. There’s no shortage in creativity when it comes to new ways to use IKEA products. Remember that the key is how you trim them out to look built-in.

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