18 Best Hacks: How to Make Your Home Look Expensive
So your budget is tight, but your taste screams high-end? You’re not alone. Luxury isn’t about dollar signs—it’s about design choices, scale, polish, and attention to detail.
I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that a few small, deliberate tweaks can make even a modest apartment look like a million bucks.
Whether you’re decorating your first place or simply tired of your space feeling “meh,” I’ve pulled together the 18 best hacks to instantly elevate your home’s style.
These are tried, tested, and wallet-friendly ways to make your house look expensive—even if you bought your couch on clearance.
Let’s start turning heads.
1. Focus on Large-Scale Art
Nothing says “I have taste and money” like oversized art. It’s the visual equivalent of wearing a tailored suit with polished shoes.
Skip the cluttered gallery wall of cheap prints and go for one bold statement piece.
Don’t have thousands to drop on a canvas? Here’s my trick: DIY a large canvas with paint, texture paste, or fabric.
I once glued linen over a $15 IKEA frame and painted two thick strokes of black paint. The compliments? Endless.
Stats say wall art increases perceived home value by up to 20% in buyer impression studies, especially large-format ones.
2. Hang Curtains High and Wide
This one’s golden. Hang your curtains as close to the ceiling as possible, and extend the rods wider than your windows.
Why? Because this gives the illusion of tall ceilings and larger windows, which screams custom design. It’s like wearing heels under long pants—it stretches everything in the best way.
Skip cheap polyester panels.
Go for linen, velvet, or cotton-blend drapes—you can find great ones at budget stores or even thrifted. Pro tip: Use clip rings to fake a tailored pleat.
3. Embrace Symmetry
Luxury interiors often follow balanced, symmetrical layouts. Think two matching chairs flanking a fireplace, or identical lamps on either side of a bed.
Even if your space is quirky or oddly shaped, create visual balance. Symmetry communicates order, and order feels refined.
I once styled a friend’s mismatched living room with $15 side tables and two $10 lamps from a flea market.
We mirrored them, added identical shades, and—boom—it looked like a designer came through.
4. Add Architectural Detail
Trim, molding, and millwork are architectural jewelry. A home with crown molding, baseboard upgrades, or wainscoting automatically looks richer.
Don’t worry if you’re renting or on a budget. Use peel-and-stick molding strips or paint-on faux panels to add depth.
A $40 investment can transform a blank wall into something magazine-worthy.
One weekend I spent $90 on MDF strips and turned my builder-grade hallway into something you’d see in a boutique hotel.
My secret weapon? Caulk. Use it generously for a seamless finish.
5. Swap Out Hardware
Those basic chrome knobs and pulls? They’re dragging your whole look down.
Replace them with brass, matte black, or acrylic options. Focus on kitchen cabinets, bathroom drawers, and closet doors.
It’s a small detail with a massive impact.
Home staging experts say that updated hardware can raise the perceived value of a kitchen by $5,000+, simply by suggesting intentional design.
I’ve found gorgeous options on Etsy, Amazon, and even secondhand bins at salvage yards. Trust me—people notice.
6. Use a Monochromatic Palette
A tight color palette oozes sophistication. Instead of five bold shades clashing, opt for tones of the same family: creams with taupes, grays with charcoals, sage with olive.
This creates visual flow and calm. High-end homes often feel cohesive because the color story is controlled and elegant.
Paint is the easiest place to start.
And don’t skip the trim—it makes a difference. I once painted my walls and baseboards the same moody greige and felt like I’d moved to a boutique hotel in London.
7. Upgrade Your Light Fixtures
A builder-grade dome light or boob light? Kill it with fire (not literally, but almost).
Swap in statement lighting—whether it’s a mid-century globe pendant, a rattan chandelier, or sconces that mimic Restoration Hardware.
You’d be shocked at how much lighting transforms a room’s ambiance.
Bonus: places like Facebook Marketplace or Wayfair often have luxe-looking options under $100.
Changing a light fixture might sound intimidating, but if you can screw in a lightbulb and follow YouTube, you can handle it.
8. Incorporate Natural Materials
Stone, wood, linen, rattan, jute, and leather—natural textures add quiet luxury. High-end homes layer these effortlessly.
Skip synthetic blends where you can. A jute rug, a linen throw pillow, or a wood tray on a marble counter feels expensive—even if it cost you next to nothing.
Nature doesn’t try hard, and neither should you. That’s the magic.
9. Hide the Clutter
Luxury never looks messy. You won’t find wires, remotes, or mail strewn across a designer coffee table.
Use trays, baskets, and drawers to conceal your chaos. Store blankets in lidded hampers. Use drawer organizers for remote controls.
Mount power strips under desks.
One study by HomeLight revealed that decluttering alone increases buyer offers by 3-5%. Even if you’re not selling, it visually upgrades your space.
I’m guilty of being a clutter queen, but once I corralled things into chic woven baskets, my living room felt twice as expensive.
10. Add Vintage and Antique Elements
New furniture can look flat. Adding something with patina—like a weathered mirror, brass lamp, or vintage rug—adds soul and sophistication.
I once scored a solid wood antique chest for $60 on Craigslist. Paired with modern decor, it made my entryway look curated, not chaotic.
And don’t underestimate the power of a thrift store frame swap. Pop a cheap print into a gilded vintage frame, and suddenly it’s gallery-worthy.
11. Go Big on Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light, add depth, and mimic the look of spacious, open design. Use them strategically: across windows, behind lamps, or leaning in corners.
Oversized mirrors feel grand. Even affordable options from IKEA or HomeGoods can look luxe when placed right.
I once leaned a $79 mirror against my dining room wall and got asked if it was custom Italian glass. Nope—just clever placement.
12. Keep Florals and Greenery in Rotation
Fresh flowers and greenery elevate any space instantly. Think about high-end hotel lobbies—there’s always something blooming.
If fresh isn’t practical, invest in realistic faux stems. Avoid dollar-store fakes. Go for branches, eucalyptus, or orchids.
Keep it simple. A single monstera leaf in a tall vase can make your bathroom feel like a spa.
13. Invest in a Signature Scent
Luxury is multisensory. A signature home scent—whether it’s a candle, diffuser, or linen spray—signals refinement.
Scents like sandalwood, amber, fig, and vetiver read upscale
Studies show people associate scent with memory and emotion, and high-end homes often have a consistent, pleasant aroma.
I use a diffuser with essential oils near my entryway, and every guest comments on it.
14. Keep Your Entryway Impeccable
First impressions count. The entryway is your home’s handshake. Make it strong.
Even in tiny apartments, you can elevate the entry with a rug, mirror, tray for keys, and art. If you’ve got space, add a bench or console table.
Clean lines, minimal clutter, and great lighting set the tone. The moment someone walks in, they feel the design energy.
15. Display Books Like a Pro
Books aren’t just for reading—they’re for styling. Stack coffee table books, display hardcovers with their spines coordinated, or turn books backward for a minimalist look.
Even secondhand books can look luxe when grouped by theme or color. Bonus points for large-format photography books or titles about fashion, architecture, or travel.
My go-to? Stack three books under a candle or sculpture for instant designer vibes.
16. Use Luxurious Textiles
High-end spaces are all about layered, rich textures. Add velvet pillows, chunky throws, linen bedding, or a faux fur blanket.
Avoid the cheap stuff. Even one well-made pillow can shift the tone of a room. Prioritize touchable, tactile fabrics that feel as good as they look.
I have a $29 velvet pillow cover that feels like it belongs in a Paris penthouse.
17. Paint Your Interior Doors
This one’s unexpected—but brilliant. Painting your interior doors in a bold color or high-gloss black can transform your whole vibe.
It creates architectural interest without renovating a thing. Pair it with brass or matte black hardware for maximum impact.
I painted mine a deep navy, and my contractor asked which designer I hired. Just me, a paintbrush, and a YouTube video.
18. Keep It Personal—But Edited
Luxury doesn’t mean sterile. A truly expensive-looking home still reflects you—but in an edited way.
Display personal photos in black-and-white, use travel souvenirs as statement pieces, and curate what you love.
The secret is editing. Don’t fill every shelf. Leave space for the eye to rest. Think like a stylist: less, but better.
Final Thought:
Making your home look expensive is more about intention than investment. It’s like fashion—a Zara blazer worn right can rival Chanel. The same is true for decor.
By focusing on scale, texture, placement, and flow, you can turn even the most basic box into a refined sanctuary.
So go forth. Hang those curtains high, swap out those knobs, and light that sandalwood candle. Your home’s glow-up starts now.
And when someone inevitably asks, “Did you hire a designer?”—just smile and say, “Nope. Just good taste.”
