With the increasing rise in the cost of living, we're all looking for ways to tighten our belts - and interior design is no exception. This prompted us to take a gander around the internet to find some of the best ways to make our homes look more expensive - without breaking the bank. From stair runners, to batten walls, to lighting fixtures, we've got you covered. Intrigued? Good. Continue scrolling through our top tips to find out more!
DIY Beach Cottage Vibes for Your Staircase
If you're looking for a way to upscale your uncarpeted stairs, it might be time to install a classy stair runner. First things first, it's wise to re-stain or re-paint your stairs to freshen them up. Then once the paint has dried, you'll need to secure a mesh net down the center of your steps. Finally, grab a staple gun and fix the stair runner to your stairs through the net.
When it comes to picking your style of stair runner veer towards one with a nautical feel, this will work wonders if you're looking to achieve that beach cottage vibe.
The Quickest Way to Enhance The Fireplace
If you are fortunate enough to have a home with a fireplace, there is a good chance your property is already pretty classy-looking! However, if your fireplace is a bit dirty or outdated, it's likely not exuding the look you want. To the image's left, the fireplace looks pretty sorry for itself. It's somewhat scorched and worn out. If your fireplace looks like this, give it a good clean first.
After that, using some molding, laminate tile, fresh paint, and some carefully selected accessories you can transform it into something more modern looking. You would be surprised how quickly you can give your fireplace a glow-up.
Making a Custom Batten Wall Is Much Easier Than It Seems
Take a look at the difference this beautiful board and batten wall makes to this bedroom. With a bit of creative vision, you can construct your own design and use near-on any type of wood to bring it to life. With your materials, measurements, and design in mind, it is time to get to work. Once you have installed a batten wall coat it with a lick of fresh paint.
One of the cool things about batten walls is that not only does it provide a classy statement wall for the room, but they can also double as a headboard should you wish.
Easily Repurpose Old Bed Sheets
Curtains and blinds can be incredibly expensive. But if you have rooms with lots of windows, you'll want the option of covering them - especially if neighbors overlook your house or if the windows are positioned so that the sun warms the room up like an oven! If you're looking for a cheaper alternative and you have spare bed sheets to hand, you could repurpose them, as showcased in this image.
To mimic this airy, classy look, grab your bed sheets and cut slits at the top where there's a thicker border to create tabs large enough for you to run a curtain rod through.
A Paint Job With a Twist Will Make Any Room Look Luxurious
If you're looking to recreate a mansion-style, antique-y, old-worldy vibe, an accent wall with a marbling paint style or even a ceiling could be just the ticket. Fortunately, mimicking this paint job is much more straightforward than you might think. First, you need latex, acrylic paint, and a sponge to hit the ground running. Then armed with these materials, paint your wall with your preferred base color, and wait for it to dry.
Then take this color and mix it with a shade of white. Next, chop some pieces from your sponges, dip the sponge in the mixture, and gently dab the paint onto the base coat.
Upgrade The Bathroom for That Hotel-Feel
Your bathroom should be a sanctuary where you can retreat from the world, relax, and unwind. After all, there's nothing like lighting some candles, grabbing a good book, and soaking in a soothing bubble bath. But how are you supposed to relax if your bathroom looks shabby? So take a leaf out of the before and after showcased in this image. With a simple two-tone paint job and a white, bold border around your mirror, you'll be on your way to revamping your bathroom.
Also, if you have enough wall space, it's worth installing a few floating shelves for storage. This is an excellent idea if your bathroom is overrun with clutter.
Update Lighting Fixtures to Make a Room Feel Expensive
Sometimes when we give a room a makeover, we forget to update the lighting fixtures. So often, these look a tad outdated, especially if the initial design was implemented a while ago. That's why switching out your light fixtures for something more contemporary or unique is an excellent idea for injecting a few accents into the room that really pop. Take the example in the photo, for instance. Here a dreary lamp has been swapped out for a cute mason jar lighting fixture.
You can do this yourself by cutting a hole in the top of the mason jar and then using the existing washer to attach the jar to the lighting fixture. Simple, right?
Veneer Accents Make Any Room Feel Fancy
Transforming a bland wall into one with a bit of life and texture can be just what you need to elevate a room's entire aesthetic. Fortunately, this is much easier and cheaper to achieve than you might think. This is where picking the right veneer is worth its weight in gold - perhaps one boasting a brick, stone, or marble effect? To successfully add veneer accents to your room (like what's pictured here), just mark out on the wall where you want to place the veneer.
Then with these measurements in mind cut out the veneer and stick it in place. Then voila, with just a few hours' work you'll have created an exquisite wall accent.
Stick On Flooring for That Pinterest-Look
Wow, oh wow. Just look at the difference this stick-on flooring has made to the entirety of this bathroom's look. Stick-on tiles present a much cheaper alternative to actual tiles and are pretty easy to install. So for avid DIYers laying this kind of flooring could be the perfect next project. If this is something your bathroom could benefit from, head to your local hardware store to pick up some cool-looking adhesive vinyl tiles.
Then take your tiles, spread them out on the floor and map out how you want to install them. Now, when you're ready, stick them on top of your existing flooring (providing it isn't carpet!), and you're good to go!
Opt for Affordable Floor Options That Don't Look Cheap
Tearing up your existing flooring and purchasing and laying down natural wood floors might sound like a lot of time, effort, and, most importantly, money. However, wooden floors have been said to lend a certain elegance and chicness for decades - and that doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. So if this is a look you want to adopt for your home, but you can't afford 100% wood flooring, laminate imitating wood grain is a viable alternative.
We don't have time to list all the steps you need to undertake to achieve the finished look in the picture. But, with a little research and the right wooden-style laminate, you're sure to revamp whatever room you're laying this flooring down in.
Dress Up Your Doors for That Designer Touch
Doors, whether attached to your closet or otherwise, don't have to be drab. So, if you're looking to enhance the appearance of your doors, it's time to dress them up. For instance, if you're hoping to achieve that chic barn vibe, you can use a wooden-themed laminate (as showcased in the photo) and diagonal wooden accents to finish the look. Once you've done that, grab some paint - usually, shades of white or light grey tend to work best.
Last but not least, if you have a bit of extra cash to splash and you really want to round off the look you can install an antique-looking handle. In the picture, the DIYer opted for black, which we think looks fab!
Who Knew It Was This Easy to Upgrade the Counters
If you have an older house drenched in brown or avocado-themed rooms that were rife in the 70s, then there's a good chance your counters will need a bit of a revamp. To achieve a transformation similar to what's pictured in this image, you'll need to do a couple of things. First, if your counter includes a sink, you'll need to sand it down and re-paint it - most likely a shade of white.
The same goes for the rest of the counter. If the rest of your room is similarly outdated, then it's probably also a good idea to paint the remainder of the room with a complimenting color scheme.
Plinth Blocks for That Home Décor Magic We Never Knew We Needed
Over time it's not uncommon for the connections between your baseboards and door frames to split. This is especially typical of properties situated in climates that fluctuate. Although these gaps are often small, they tend to make your house look a bit dated and tired. Fortunately, there's a quick, easy, and cheap fix. You just need to purchase a plinth block. Then, put the plinth over the gap to get a feel for the size.
Then, cut it as necessary, sand the edges, and paint the block so that it matches your molding and trim. Then when you're ready it's time to attach the block.
Framed Electronics Make Things Look Intentional
You don't necessarily need to rehaul your entire home to upgrade your interior design. Instead, sometimes all you need to do is accentuate what you already have to add a little polish to your decor. Let's take this image as an example. Here a standard TV is sitting (rather blandly) on the mantle. However, you can set the screen in a frame to make the TV look more like a luxurious entertainment system.
The example uses a wooden texture because it complements the composition of the mantel. We think it's wise to pick a material for your frame that complements what's already in the room to create a more cohesive, polished look.
Interior Designers Love Roman Blinds
If you're bored of your plain fabric blinds and want to give them a glow-up, consider transforming them into Roman blinds. You might be amazed at how easy this is to do and how much this can enrich your room's aesthetic. All you have to do is grab a pair of scissors and then snip the small cords. Next, carefully assemble some of the blinds together and stitch them into pouches.
Voila, that's it - by the time you're done, you should have some gorgeous-looking Roman shades. As you can see, the example sports a bold stripy look, but this modification can be just as effective with plainer materials.
Open Up The Space By Removing Cabinet Doors
Depending on the style of kitchen you have, how modern it is, and the type of cabinets you've installed you might be able to remove the cabinet doors to create the illusion of more space. In the example here, the DIYers have opted to remove the doors from the top cabinets so that their colorful mugs and bowls are neatly on display. They've also given the remaining bottom cabinets a lick of new paint to freshen them up.
As you can see, the bottom cabinet doors now also boast a trim made out of molding, and they've added a pretty rug into the mix. So, all in all, we think this DIY project was a resounding success!
Rugged Walls Will Make Your House Feel Like a Hotel
There are many ways to create an accent wall - paint, wallpaper, vinyl- to name a few! But, in this instance, the DIYer has transformed old pallets into an accent wall. This DIY project is certainly worth considering if you're looking to inject a bit of rustic chic into your interior design without breaking the bank. It's also a fabulous option for anyone looking to add a splash of color and texture into the mix.
To get started, first, you need to measure the wood and stain it with whatever color you think would complement your existing decor. Then when you're happy with how it looks, mount it to the wall.
Industrial Countertops at a Fraction of the Cost
Industrial chic is very in right now. So, if you're looking for a way to dip your toe into this interior design trend without going all-in, you could switch things up by giving your kitchen countertops a concrete and satin finish. If your countertop is already covered in linoleum, you'll need to strip it. Then, you'll need to whip up a concrete mixture and lightly coat the countertop with it and allow it to dry.
Then, sand down the concrete mixture to get it even. Lastly, add a few layers of staining finish. That's it! Time to step back and admire your new and improved countertop.
High End Interior Designers Love Pegboards for a Reason
Let's say you want a more rustic look while creating more storage space; then, you may wish to use pegboards. Pegboards are relatively inexpensive. Just purchase what you need, and cut them to size. Next, mount them to your chosen wall(s). Once they're up, you can stick pegs in the holes and attach shelves to them. Or suspend decorations like hanging plants. This is an excellent choice if you're looking to revamp your space with a custom look.
We love how chic and modern this aesthetic is. All in all, it's a surefire way to make your home look more expensive and provide storage to help declutter the place - win-win!
Corbels & Wood Under Countertops Just Look Expensive
Maybe you have a chic breakfast island and some classy countertops, but you think they could do with a little something extra. If so, you might want to use wooded planks and a few corbels to elevate your sides (as showcased in the picture). All you have to do is measure up, cut, and mount the wooden planks under your island (or under your countertop). Then attach a matching corbel at the edges.
Don't forget to finish off this project with some paint. We love the pale green pictured here. However, of course, you'll need to pick a color that complements your color palette.
Turn A Spare Door Into A Piece of Furniture
Some of the projects in this list require you to take doors off their hinges. So, if you have a spare door laying around - don't chuck it away. Instead, save and upcycle this extra door by transforming it into a distressed piece of furniture. Just add a couple of coats of white paint to the door and leave it to dry. Then sand it down to create that much-coveted distressed look.
Once you've created a distressed look, attach some antique-looking ironwork and matching hooks, and voila, you have a beautiful entryway nook. This is an excellent project if you want a statement piece of furniture to jazz up a space.
Stencil and Paint The Tiles
So, instead of having your floor just one dull color, you can stencil a pattern onto your flooring to jazz things up a tad. To make the most out of this technique, we first suggest painting your floor a neutral shade and then waiting for it to dry. Then do a bit of research to find a pattern you like, and carefully stencil it onto your floor using chalkboard paint.
If you're searching for inspiration for the kind of patterns you could stencil onto your floor - look no further than this image. This looks incredibly classy, and we love the contrast between black and white.
Wall Sconces
Disclaimer: This DIY project will take a bit more time, effort, and, most importantly, knowledge about electrics than the other suggestions listed here. As you've probably already guessed by the image and subtitle, we're talking about installing wall sconces. We think wall sconces lend a certain kind of elegance to them - especially in a living room that could benefit from mood lighting. Although they're a tad complicated to install, it's certainly possible to fix them yourself.
That said, we don't have the space to describe step-by-step how to do this. But, fortunately, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials and blog posts available to point you in the right direction.
Spray Furniture Frames
One of the quickest, simplest, and cheapest ways to upgrade your interior design is to play around with metallic hues - especially brass, copper, and gold. You'll be relieved to hear that you don't have to go out and buy expensive metallic furniture to jump aboard this trend. Instead, simply nip out to your local hardware store and buy some metallic spray paint. Then spray the frames of your furniture and leave it to dry.
As highlighted in the picture above, this technique works exceptionally well with coffee tables and side tables. We love the use of gold here; it really complements the existing decor!
Floating Shelves
We can't get enough of floating shelves. They're as chic as they are practical - win-win! Not to mention, they look great in practically any room in your house - bathrooms, bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, etc. So whether you opt for reclaimed wood or antique metal, these shelves will surely bring a little character and luxury to the table. Best of all, this project is relatively cheap and quick to execute too.
Once you've bought/ constructed your shelves, use a spirit level to ensure you fix them straight. Then attach the shelves using either nails or adhesive. That's it, pretty straightforward, right?
Treat The Front Door To a Fresh Coat of Paint
Although this may seem obvious, we often overlook our front doors - which is crazy when you consider they're one of the first things you and your guests see upon entering your home. But, as this picture so aptly demonstrates, sometimes all a property needs to elevate its curb appeal is a quick paint job on the front door. Of course, if you're feeling a bit adventurous, you could even switch the color!
To hit the ground running with this project, remove the paint already on the door, sand it down, prime it, and then get painting. Be sure to tape around the edges of the to avoid unwanted splatters.
Spruce Up The Air Vents
To up your interior design game, it's all about the finer details - and your air vents are no exception. Sadly, as demonstrated by the sad-looking air vent pictured to the left of the image, these are often left neglected. Untended air vents can start to look a bit dirty and tired, ruining the vibe of what otherwise might be a gorgeous room. The solution? You can construct a wooden air vent like the DIY project pictured here.
With a few planks of wood and a lick of paint that compliments the rest of the room, you could soon construct something similar to what's pictured above. It looks so much slicker!
Marbleize The Countertops
Can you think of a material more decadent than marble? It's one of those stones we instantly associate with opulence and the finer things in life. So let's say your current countertops are vinyl. If so, they might look a bit boring and in need of spruce up. If you can relate, you'll be pleased to hear you can easily paint your countertop so that they resemble marble. Pretty neat, right?
In fact, there are entire DIY kits dedicated to projects like this. There's a good chance you'll be able to get one up at your local hardware store or, failing that, Amazon. Then follow the instructions - simple!
Revamp The Door Handles
Often you don't need to do anything dramatic to spruce up your interiors. In fact, sometimes, just switching up your door knobs can do the trick. Whether you opt for something more contemporary or veer towards a more antique look, this is bound to elevate your door. Just be sure to keep in mind the vibe of the room. Whatever you pick should match the theme - otherwise, you risk it looking mismatched.
Using a screwdriver, remove your current door handle and replace it with whatever you've chosen. Simple! We love the contemporary gold door knob in the picture. If you're unsure where to start with this project, use this as inspiration!
Utilize Upholstery
There are plenty of ways you can utilize upholstery to enhance your interiors. However, in this example, we see that the DIYer has used upholstery to upgrade their closet door. This is a really novel way to improve your bedroom's aesthetic. Not only have they completely revamped the look of the door, but they've even removed the door handle and replaced it with a door knocker- much the same as you would see on a front door!
This project looks complex, but in fact, it's simpler than it seems. First, take the door off its hinges. Then apply a coat of fabric glue, attach your chosen textile, and clad it with vinyl.