We all love the homes that we see in the glossy pages of glamorous design magazines, but let’s face it, most of us cannot afford them! What we can do, however, is try to make our homes look expensive and stylish, even when we are on a budget.
How to make your Home Look expensive?
Here are the small ways to make your home look expensive without spending much on interior design:
Window Seating
If you have tiny windows that don’t do justice to the lovely view outside, then consider opening up the wall and installing floor to ceiling glass. If there is no view to speak of, see if you can be ingenious and create one! Some deep planter boxes, tall ferns or bamboo and creepers on the walls outside on your balcony or terrace can do wonders to create a soothing patch of green that you can look at all day. A window seat next to this terrace garden would be the perfect place for your afternoon cup of tea!
Open Kitchen
If your kitchen is cramped and tiny, see if you can make it an open kitchen. Quite often the wall between the kitchen and the dining areas may not be a load-bearing wall, in which case you can knock it down quite easily. Even otherwise, talk to your engineer and see if a beam can be installed that will take the load of the walls above. Voila! You have a large open plan space that is an interior designer’s delight!
Breakfast Counter
A breakfast counter between your open kitchen and dining space will define the space very nicely while accentuating the feeling of openness. A word of caution if you are thinking of doing structural changes in your home; it should always, always be authorised by someone who is qualified and competent!
Add Some Colour And Texture!
Paint or wallpaper can completely change the look of a room without costing too much. If your rooms are small, use light colours (or just white) to make them appear larger. An accent wall with a pleasing colour can add drama and create a rich look to the room. Try textured paint with flecks of gold or silver to ramp up the glamour quotient.
Get Floor To Ceiling Drapes
Floor-to-ceiling drapes makes your room look more elegant and rich. Drapes are often not given enough importance, considering what a huge difference they can make to your décor! We absolutely love white, but any colour that goes well with your décor will do.
Keep in mind though that heavy and dark coloured drapes will cut out light and can have the opposite effect, making your room look dark and oppressive rather than airy and light.
If you don’t want to change your curtains, here’s an easy way to add some height. You can buy some transparent fabric in the same print (rather like you would choose for matching sheer curtains) and add a sheer panel at the top of your existing curtain. This gives a lovely effect and will add the height you need.
Get Some Raw Silk Cushions
Throw pillows are an inexpensive way to add some cheer to your room. Get the classy look with raw silk cushion fabric. Mix and match colours and textures and harmonize the various accessories in your room. Make sure that you get the right size, as cushion covers that are droopy or too small will take away from the elegant look that you are trying to create.
Get Linen Of The Best Quality
Your bed linen, towels and tablecloths should be of the best quality that money can buy. Crisp and fluffy towels, and luxurious bed sheets of the kind that you would get in a fancy spa, will make you feel pampered. Make sure that your sheets’ thread count is high and that you use the softest fabric conditioner you can find on the market. Don’t skimp on the quality of your guest rooms; guests deserve to feel special too!
Pay Attention To The Lighting
The lighting you choose can make or break the atmosphere in a room. Lighting should always be understated, throw shadows where needed and add drama where required. If you can, get in a lighting consultant who can help create the right moods in your rooms. A classy chandelier in your living room can instantly uplift the ‘pricey’ look of the entire space. Avoid flimsiness and get light fittings that are substantial and look like they are expensive, even though they may not be.
Don’t Skimp On The Bathroom Faucets
High-end bathroom faucets and showerheads will highlight the money that is spent on them and will definitely give you more than their money’s worth in terms of aesthetics. Designer bathroom tiles are rather more expensive, and you can save money by opting for tiling that is pocket-friendly as it will not really be noticed much next to the glamorous fittings that you have installed. Having said that, just a single row of expensive tiles will add a lot of glamour while being pocket-friendly at the same time.
Use a Lot Of Mirrors
We find that mirrors add instant glamour to almost any space. Wall to wall mirrors in bathrooms, mirrored shutters on bedroom wardrobes, or a mirror with a gorgeously ornate frame above your mantelpiece will all make your spaces look grand. Mirrors have the advantage of visually enhancing the size of any room, and can be used in small rooms to make them look not-so-small. A large mirror that’s propped up against the wall instead of being hung can give a unique look to your entrance foyer.
Go Easy On The Colours!
Rule of thumb for colours: too many colours in a room will make it look shabby, while one or two complementary colours, preferably muted and low-key, will add a luxe vibe. When in doubt, shades of white or cream are your best and safest bet. With a neutral palette, you can accessorize in any hues that you like as everything will match well.
Create Showstopper Nooks And Corners
Empty corners of your living room or a space at the end of a long hallway can be dressed up and given special attention to creating beautiful vignettes.
Get Unique Pieces Of Art
Large-scale art pieces, like this statement text wall, add a unique dimension to a room and can be a conversation starter. A gallery wall is another great idea, where you can juxtapose pictures, photo frames of all shapes and sizes and show off your creativity.
If You Have Space, Go Big!
High ceilings in bedrooms can be dramatized with pretty four-poster beds, like the one shown here. Even if the rest of your bedroom isn’t up to the mark, when you are in bed, you are definitely going to be sleeping in style! 
When you do up your home, what truly makes it special is the stamp of your warmth and personality. Some creative ideas and careful planning can make your home look like a million dollars even on a shoestring budget!
