Does your new home fit into your budget, but not your design wishes? Everyone wants to keep up with the Joneses, but not everyone can afford the price tag. Don’t worry, with the tips below you can make your home look expensive without spending big bucks to do so. It just takes a little creativity and a bit of elbow grease, but you can create the home of dreams.
Moulding
Moulding is an easy ways to take your walls from drab to fab without looking gaudy. You can choose a more ornate, Victorian style moulding, or go for a simple piece of wood framing, as was popular in Craftsmen homes of the 1920’s and 1930’s.
Whichever you choose, paint your moulding and walls the same color to provide a cohesive look to your home, and consider splurging to hire professional to help you out. A licensed handyman can not only repair existing moulding in your home, but can also help you add new moulding. A professional can make the new moulding look seamless, like it has always been a staple part of your homes character.
Accessories
Whether you are going for a minimalist or eclectic look, your accessories can provide both interest and elegance to your home. Things like candles and fresh flowers can bring add points of interest to your home as can throw pillows and blankets.
Get creative and DIY items that can be pricey in stores, such as making throw pillows from fabric scraps instead of spending $45 for one at Target. You can also make your own wreaths, or reupholster chairs to give them a new look.
Save your money for investment pieces, like large artwork that can instantly become a focal point to your rooms. Of course, save money when you can by thrifting these too.
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Mix Up Your Textures
Experts say a design that is too matchy-matchy – excessively color-coordinated, in other words – can actually make it look less expensive. Instead you should mix and match different textures throughout your home that can help to enliven multiple senses at a time. A faux-fur throw on top of a leather couch, for example, as well as velvety pillows and knit rugs. Each of these items can provide beauty to your home on its own, but when put them together it will give the feeling of a well-thought out and unique space.
Let Someone’s Trash Be Your Treasure
One of the easiest ways to add a bit of class and character to your home is to choose antiques and vintage pieces to put side-by-side with your newer décor. This might seem like and expensive option, since vintage headboard can cost several hundred dollars or more online, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You just have to know where to look.
Check out your local thrift stores and garage sales to get the best deals on vintage furniture. Many people just want them out of their homes, without considering their value. You can advantage of these pieces, repaint them, or just refinish them to former glory. Your home will instantly look more cultured, and you will help keep items out of the landfill as well!
Make Your Own Built-Ins
I love looking through Zillow, picking out my favorite homes and imagining my family inside of them. One thing I always look for first is built-ins. There is just something about them that screams class to me, and I am dead set that my dream home will have them. If your home doesn’t though, you can improvise. Just make them yourself.
Ikeas hacks are all over the internet, and the one that most often catches my eye are DIY built-ins using Ikea bookshelves. The Billy Bookcase comes in several different heights and colors, making it versatile for your home. Add a bit of moulding to make them truly blend in, and it will look like they have always been there.
You Shouldn’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, but Many People Do
A person’s opinion of your home does not start when they walk through your door. It starts when they are standing on your sidewalk. Keep your yard tidy and pruned, your lawn mowed, and your walkway clean and clear of cracks if possible.
Raised garden beds are pretty to the eye and can help you save money if you fill them with herbs and vegetables. And perennial flowers, such as tulips and peonies, only need to be planted once but will make your garden beautiful year after year.
You do not have to own a million dollar listing to make your home and inviting and expensive looking place for you and your family to enjoy. Even the smallest budgets can have a big impact with a bit of planning and work ethic. Roll up your sleeves and get to work, your only limit is your own imagination!
Author Bio: Edward Flanagan is the founder of Edward’s Enterprises Remodel Contractor & Handyman Repairs and has been improving homes and providing facilities maintenance in Southern California since 1996. Their handyman services include carpentry, landscaping, plumbing, and electrical repairs. Edward currently divides his time between Camarillo and Venice Beach, CA, and loves the 405.
