Ways to Make Your Home Look More Expensive—on the Cheap
- By davidh
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- 24 Sep, 2018
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There are ways to get a custom, upscale look without breaking your budget. It doesn't need to be expensive either. With a few simple adjustments and strategic styling techniques, you can create a space that feels regal on a shoestring.
Not convinced? Well keeping reading.
FRESHEN IT UP WITH FLOWERS - You don't need a wallet-busting mega-arrangement to add luxury to your space. A simple (read: cheap) bouquet from the grocery store can be all you need to add sophistication. Besides, it's all about how you arrange the flowers and what vase you arrange them in. First, separate the bouquet by stem type then create several small arrangements to spread around your home. The dent in your wallet (and time) is minimal, but the impact on your home is monumental. If there really isn't anything you like at the grocery store, take a wander outside and cut a few trimmings off a tree or plant then place it casually in a table or floor vase. The greenery will really brighten the space and make it feel like home.
THROW DOWN SOME PILLOWS - A sofa, throw pillows, chair, and drapes that are all in the same fabric and texture will almost certainly make your space fall flat. Swap out bland throw pillows for a variety of textures and sizes to easily add dimension. Even if you're color-averse, just adding in a few hues that are a slight variation of the neutrals you already have will liven up the space.
INVEST IN WINDOW TREATMENTS- Many luxurious and expensive homes have high ceilings and are luckily flooded with natural light. Fool the eye and get the look by hanging your drapery and hardware as high and close to the ceiling as possible—never directly above the window frame. This will draw the eye up and give the appearance of a loftier space. Another trick is to add sheer curtains. They really soften the light that comes in and fill the room with a warmth that is both cozy and feels expensive. Remember, every window is individual to the home and to you.
DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER - Clutter and mess are decidedly un-chic. It's one thing to have a generously styled bookshelf or mantlepiece, but too much stuff can look cheap and chaotic. Pare down your accessories and edit your collected possessions to just those few favorites for a look that feels elevated and classic. Most decorated spaces emphasize the art of surface styling. Once you've edited down your decorative accessories to your favorites, make sure to purposefully arrange them in an eye-pleasing manner. Give your furniture the spotlight it deserves with a few simple yet expertly styled pieces for an overall richer experience.
GRAB A ROLLER AND ADD A FRESH COAT - Nothing gives off a personalized and custom vibe more than perfectly hued walls. Roll up your sleeves and get your paint rollers out of storage to get the look for less. Painting a room or a single wall in your home is a simple DIY that promises to have a major impact in any space.
DON'T FORGET THE RUG - Ground your furniture with a statement-making rug. Not only does it bring everything together, it also lays the foundation and really sets the stage for the rest of the room. An area rug adds much-needed warmth, texture, and color, and the larger the rug (and more of your furniture arrangement you are able to comfortably include on it) the more custom and luxurious it will look.
SWAP YOUR LAMP SHADES - Get a personalized look by switching out the worn and dated shades that came with your lamp for a different option. This will help add dimension and make old lamps appear unique and special.
BUY MATCHING SETS FOR ALL YOUR ESSENTIALS - Although you should avoiding matching sets when it comes to furniture, nothing looks more deliberate, neat, and chic than a set of matching containers on a vanity or kitchen counter. Using liquid soap in a dispenser and transferring cotton swabs from a box into a coordinating container elevates the entire look.
1. Mix real and faux. No one needs to know it’s not all real. It can be difficult to tell the difference at a glance so let it be your secret.
2. Mix and match! Select a few faux seasonal statement stems that you can mix in with other foliage. This can help your basic arrangements go farther and give you a variety of shapes, colors and flowers to play with all year round. Keep less seasonal specific blooms or branches to cut down on the amount of items you need to store.
3. Bend the branches and leaves so they feel more relaxed and organic!
4. Vary the stem heights in the vase give it a more interesting shape.
5. Create an airy arrangement, leaving breathing room for a simpler look.
6. Pack a visual punch by using just one type of foliage. Use unique containers for your foliage to make a one-of-a-kind statement!
7. Fill the bottom of glass vessels with rocks for more interest.
8. You can use water in the bottom of a glass vase to make faux look more realistic!
Lesson #4 - How to Clean Quartz Countertops -Quartz countertops are non-porous, which means they don't absorb bacteria, mold and mildew — not to mention things like red wine. So spill away! Cleaning is straightforward. Use only soap and water, and maybe some mild detergent. (Always check your manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance guide before you use different cleaning products, just to make sure the quartz won't react adversely to a particular chemical.
Lesson #5 - Quartz Countertop Pros and Cons
• Technology means that quartz countertops are consistently and uniformly produced, so you know exactly what you are getting when you buy it.
• Quartz's main selling point is durability. It will last for years without staining or breaking down, and requires little to no maintenance. It's also very easy to clean.
• Because it's made from little leftover bits of mineral, versus mined in whole slabs and shipped around the world, quartz countertops are considered a good environmental choice.
• One drawback is the upfront cost: it's one of the more expensive materials out there. However, quartz is extremely popular these days, which can be a huge selling point when you put your home on the market.
• Current technology limits the quartz countertop slab sizes. If you want an oversized island, for example, you might have to choose a different material. However, seams are less visible on quartz countertops than other materials.
Lesson #6 - Quartz Countertops vs. Granite/Marble - Granite/Marble was the go-to countertop for years, but has recently fallen into second place, leaving people to wonder which is better. Granite/Marble is an all-natural stone that's quarried: no two slabs are alike, and there are endless variations for you to choose from. It's also can be more affordable than quartz. Like quartz, granite/marble is highly durable, although it is porous and susceptible to stains, and therefore requires periodic sealing after the initial installation.
Lesson #1 - Quartz Countertops Colors - Although white and grey are probably the most popular, endless colors are available. Beyond color, new patterns also mimic the look of natural substances with subtle veins and striations — which gives the material some movement and makes it feel more real. There are also now more finishes to consider, in addition to the smooth and shiny quartz you can achieve a softer appearance — with honed or suede-like finishes — that have a brushed feel.
Lesson #2 - How Much Do Quartz Countertops Cost - Unfortunately, quartz countertops aren't a budget kitchen material, and can be a significant chunk of your remodeling budget. They run between $60-100 plus per square foot, including installation.
Lesson #3 - Durability - If you want the look, but not the maintenance, of natural materials like soapstone or marble, quartz countertops are an attractive alternative. Its hardness makes it a good work surface, and one of the most durable and low-maintenance options you can buy. Unlike other materials, it resists etching, stains, cracks and chips. More good news: the resin that binds the quartz during manufacturing already adds protection, so there's no need to initially seal the surface, or maintain by resealing in the future. It's good to know, however, that quartz countertops don't like high heat. You should never put scalding pots and hot pans directly on the countertop: always use a trivet instead.
PICK AN ANCHOR COLOR: If there's a piece of furniture in your room that brings in a pop of color, make sure the rest of the room highlights it without outshining it.
MIX AND MATCH PRINTS: By mixing and matching styles and prints, you'll elevate the intrigue to keep the eye engaged.
THINK ABOUT SYMMETRY: Once you've got all the right pillows, you should also spend some time thinking about how you'd like to display them to get the most out of their potential. If you like the look of asymmetry, try an arrangement that looks more random and effortless.
STAY NEUTRAL:. If bright colors overwhelm you or you simply resonate with neutrals more, you can still allow your personality to show through with things like texture, material and shape.
EXPERIMENT WITH TEXTURE: Its fun texture makes it the perfect way to achieve a wild aesthetic outside of color, print, and shape elements.
Better yet, can be ordered in your fabric selection and be stationary, swivel, or rock.
String Mops - String-mops are inefficient, unsanitary, and obsolete because most floors should not be wet-mopped anymore anyway, they should be vacuumed, dry-dusted, then damp-mopped by spraying the cleaner directly on the floor and immediately polished clean. The new gold standard for floor mops is one with microfiber strands, or a spray mop with a machine-washable cleaning pad.
Your Ancient Handheld Vacuum - Some handheld vacuums aren’t practical or sanitary. They are filled with old dust and debris and don’t do a very good job vacuuming up stuff.
Feather Dusters - Feather dusters and rainbow-colored dusters are outdated because they’re ineffective. Without a cleaner or polish, or something to cling to the dust, they’ll just move your dirt around. Use a Swiller style dusters for light dusting once a week, but for a good, effective deep clean use an all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth to trap dust and give your surfaces a nice shine.
Disinfectant Spray or Wipes More Than Two Years Old - Like it or not, if it’s been sitting under your sink for too long, your go-to disinfectant spray or wipes aren’t something you can count on. Disinfectant sprays are usually only good for one to two years max. If the smell is getting weaker, then it’s not effective as a disinfectant anymore.
Hydrogen Peroxide - (especially if it’s been exposed to light)
Often used as a nontoxic disinfectant around the house, when stored incorrectly, hydrogen peroxide breaks down and loses its antibacterial properties when exposed to light for too long, that’s why it always comes in a dark bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place (in its original bottle) to ensure it stays potent and powerful. Even when stored properly, an opened bottle of hydrogen peroxide only maintains its effectiveness for six months to a year—it should indicate its shelf life on the label. After this time, the expired solution isn’t harmful, but it won’t be as effective at disinfecting as it used to.
