I’ve spent over a million dollars on interior designers and decorating over the years, and one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that making your home look classy, elevated, and expensive doesn’t necessarily require spending a ton of money. Some of the upgrades that make the biggest difference are actually incredibly simple and affordable. It’s all about paying attention to the details.
At the end of the day, your house is your responsibility. Just because you look smooth, sexy, and classy doesn’t mean your place should be a hot mess. Spend a little time and energy making your home somewhere you actually enjoy being. You don’t need to spend a million dollars—just focus on the right details.
1. Get your lighting temperature right.
Lighting can completely change the way a room feels. I recommend using 2700K bulbs throughout your home. They give off a soft, warm glow that feels cozy and inviting instead of that harsh, bright-white “hospital room” vibe. And make sure the bulbs throughout a room are consistent in color temperature.
2. Upgrade your light fixtures.
If you’ve got an old, cheap fixture hanging in the middle of the room, swap it out. You don’t have to spend a fortune. A cool chandelier, pendant, or modern fixture can instantly make a space look more intentional and expensive.
3. Use lamps to create pools of light.
Instead of relying on one giant overhead light blasting the entire room, use smaller table lamps and accent lighting. Creating subtle pools of light around a room makes the space feel warmer, more comfortable, and much more inviting.
4. Hang your drapes higher and wider.
Here’s an easy designer trick: don’t hang your curtains right above the window. Take the curtain rod all the way up toward the ceiling and extend the drapes toward the outside edges of the window. This visually makes your ceilings look taller, and your windows look larger.
5. Make your bed look like a hotel bed.
Your bedroom should feel peaceful, tranquil, and sexy. Invest in nice bedding, keep the bed frame relatively simple, add some extra pillows, and finish it with a great duvet. You’re not just making a bed—you’re creating an experience.
6. Use a properly sized area rug.
An area rug is one of the easiest ways to add interest and elevate a room—even if you already have wall-to-wall carpeting. But size matters. A tiny rug floating in the middle of a large room looks cheap and awkward. Choose a rug that matches the space and is large enough to visually anchor the furniture.
7. Give your furniture some breathing room.
Stop trying to cram as much crap into a room as possible. Less furniture and more open space will make your room look bigger while still feeling cozy. If possible, pull some of your furniture slightly away from the walls instead of lining everything around the perimeter.
8. Choose fewer, larger pieces of art.
You don’t need something hanging on every wall. Instead of covering your space with a bunch of little pieces, choose one or two larger statement pieces. Bigger art with more negative space around it makes your decorating feel much more intentional, sophisticated, and elevated.
9. Stick with a consistent color palette.
One of the easiest ways to make your home feel cohesive is to choose one or two primary color palettes and carry them throughout the space. I personally gravitate toward earth tones—grays, taupes, tans, off-whites, and browns. Once you establish your palette, decorating becomes easier because everything you buy naturally works together.
10. Add texture instead of adding more stuff.
You don’t need more clutter—you need more texture. Mix materials and fabrics like velvet, shag rugs, wood, metal, wall coverings, throws, and pillows. Layering different textures adds depth and makes a room feel richer and more luxurious without filling it with unnecessary stuff.
11. Add plants and greenery.
Plants instantly make a home feel more lived-in, lush, luxe, and classy. And if you’re terrible at keeping plants alive, you’ve still got options. Something like preserved or petrified moss can give you the greenery and texture without requiring you to remember to water it.
12. Add something old.
Strategically incorporating an antique or vintage piece can add character and warmth. An old chest, bench, lamp, desk, or table surrounded by cleaner, newer pieces creates contrast and makes the entire space feel more interesting and elevated.
13. Upgrade the things you touch every day.
Replacing cabinet pulls, handles, and knobs is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to upgrade a kitchen or bathroom. Matte black or antique brass hardware can instantly make inexpensive cabinets look more sophisticated and intentional.
14. Add throws and blankets.
A cool blanket or throw can instantly make a bed, sofa, or chair look more expensive. It’s another inexpensive way to introduce texture, visual interest, and warmth without adding more furniture or decorative clutter.
15. Make your home smell incredible.
Your place can look amazing, but if it smells like your ass, we’ve got a problem. A quality oil diffuser can make your home smell much more luxurious than a synthetic plug-in air freshener. I personally love scents like bergamot and eucalyptus. Candles are another great option, especially richer scents like sandalwood, amber, iris, and leather. The way your home smells is part of the overall experience, so don’t ignore it.
