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18 Cheap Decor Ideas That Look Expensive
Updated on May 19, 2025
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Treat Each Room as a Blank Slate
Take note of the preexisting features in your home you can highlight. Architectural details such as crown molding, wooden beams, hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves, and mosaic-tile backsplashes are all worth focusing on. These details don’t just look expensive; they are expensive. Make them as prominent as possible—keep them clean, clutter-free, and the focal point of the room. For example, don’t splurge on an expensive painting just to have it compete with a show-stopping fireplace.
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Add a Pop of Color
“Paint is extremely inexpensive and makes a big difference,” says interior designer Keysha Jillian. “Whether you need to tone down a color or add a bold color to liven up your space, color is great for changing the overall feel of a room.” A nice wash of color might only cost around $31.99 for a gallon.
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Display White Towels in the Bathroom
It’s time to get rid of those dingy old bath towels—discolored whites and bleach-stained colors make your space look dirty and cheap. “Proudly display crisp white, fluffy towels like the kind you would find in a fancy hotel or spa,” says designer Drew Henry, “This will immediately trigger a feeling for your guests, and they will have a more luxurious feeling towards the space.”
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Swap Out Your Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are an easy way to accessorize and brighten a room, whether you buy them or make your own. Jillian says homeowners should throw out their older throw pillows and replace them with bright, fuller pillows—or just buy crisp new pillow covers. “Mix and match colors and textures, and blend different groupings,” she says. But more is not better. “There can be too many pillows, so make sure you don’t go overboard.”
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Add Molding
If your walls are bare besides the occasional artwork, consider adding molding to the baseboard, chair rail, or ceiling. “It doesn’t even have to be a gaudy, Victorian-style molding—a simple and single-shape, single-depth piece of molding will do the trick,” says interior designer Erica Leigh Reiner.
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Hang Art On the Walls
From family photos to DIY art, framed works can make a house feel like a home. “Make sure the art you select is the right size and scale for the wall you’re decorating, and remember you don’t need artwork on every empty wall,” says Jillian. “If you feel creative, a great way to get inexpensive artwork is to create your own. Head to your local craft store and you can find everything you need to create a beautiful canvas or framed custom artwork.”
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Accent with Accessories
Bring in tasteful accessories to add interest and layered depth to a room. “Accessories vary significantly in cost, but if you’re looking for a great deal there are plenty of discount home stores that offer stupendous finds, says Jillian. “My ‘go-to’ store for a lot of home design items (especially for clients on a budget) is HomeGoods.”
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Create DIY “Built-In” Structures
The key to making any piece—from bookshelves to kitchen cabinets look custom is to have them fit into your home perfectly. The easiest way to achieve this look is to have them extend all the way from floor to ceiling. A bookshelf that spans an entire wall will almost always look more expensive than one that stands alone.
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Update Old Fixtures
A quick and easy way to decorate on a dime is to update old fixtures, especially in the kitchen. Knobs, handles, drawer pulls, and light switch plates are small, inexpensive details that give your home a high-end sheen.
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Give the Illusion of Higher Ceilings
If you can’t raise your roof, literally, you might consider raising your window treatments. Jillian suggests raising window panels to create an illusion of height and give it a grander feel. “An inexpensive way to achieve this tip is to simply add fabric to your existing panels,” she says, “Once you find the perfect complimentary fabric, simply take it to your local seamstress to have him/her add the fabric at the top, middle, or end of the fabric.”
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Add Visual Space with a Mirror or Two
Your eyes—and potential buyers’ eyes—will be tricked into thinking a small space is larger than it actually is with some sneaky mirror placement. Large mirrors will reflect the room back, making it appear more spacious—even twice its actual size.
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Get Rid of Something Super Old or Ugly
If a dated light fixture or piece of furniture constantly makes you groan, get rid of it. Replace it with something updated and more your style. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune — look for vintage pieces at thrift stores that will not only bring new life to the room, but also add character.
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Use Bookshelves for More Than Books
Lines of books have to look like a stuffy library. “Intersperse with a few framed photos and interesting book ends,” says design expert Ana Cummings, “Make sure it is neat and tidy—that alone speaks volumes.”
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Add an Area Rug
Area rugs can really transform a space. “Area rugs help ground furniture groupings, define rooms, and add more interest to an area,” Jillian says. “It is recommended that all of your furniture sit on the area rug, but at the very least, make sure the feet of your furniture are touching a portion of the rug.”
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Make Walls Shine
Lustrous wallpaper adds dimension to an otherwise flat area. Go for just a hint of shine with a semi-gloss or luster sheen to keep it classy, not gaudy, says Reiner. “Stick to simple neutral or semi-neutral colors, but look for a paper with a hint of a shine the light can bounce off of,” she says.
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Stick to Classic Neutral Walls
When in doubt on paint color, choose a classic neutral. Colors like beige, gray, greige, and yellow will always look fresh and on trend. What’s more, they pair well with everything. Limit bold accent colors to accessories, and you’ll never have to repaint an entire room because a bright color choice got to be too much.
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Choose Deep Colors
If neutral colors aren’t your thing, bold colors can scream “elegant” with a bigger punch, says interior designer Douglas Graneto. “Deep hues with shiny finishes are the way to go,” he says. “For example, a deep navy wall with gold and purple contrast within the decor can exude a glamorous energy that for sure can feel luxurious.”
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Don’t Match Finishes Perfectly, Coordinate Them
Certain stains and finishes play well with others, but the vast majority do not. If you’re looking to match your floor to your cabinets, or your faucets to your doorknobs, go for an exact match, or make a real contrast; aim for at least three shades darker or lighter. An almost match has the tendency to look cheap.
FAQ
What are some quick ways to elevate a space on a budget?
The first step to elevate a space on a budget is to clear the clutter. Hide TV cords, tuck away extra blankets and toys in baskets, and keep small accessories to a minimum. Then, invest in statement pieces that will give you a bang for your buck. “Install floor-to-ceiling curtains or some tall shelving,” says interior designer Bree Steele, “Add vertical paneling or create a feature wall that plays with that sense of height to draw the eye upward, creating a sense of space and sophistication.”
What colors make a room feel more expensive?
Dark and moody colors like burgundy, emerald green, or chocolate brown will make a room look elevated and more expensive. “A deep and sophisticated shade of burgundy feels luxurious and warm, which makes it a perfect color if you want to make a statement,” says Steele, “When paired with gold or brass accents, the room will feel very sophisticated, even if decorated on a budget.”
About the Experts
- Bree Steele is an interior designer and color expert at RJ Living. Steele has been in the industry for over a decade and has styled homes, Airbnb’s, and commercial spaces.
- Keysha Jillian is the lead interior designer and owner of K. Jillian Designs, based in Tampa, Florida
- Drew Henry is the founder of design firm Design Dudes.
- Erica Leigh Reiner is the owner of E. Leigh Designs.
- Ana Cummings is a design expert on CTV’s Homes & Lifestyles Canada
- Douglas Graneto is the principal of Douglas Graneto Design, a boutique design company based in Greenwich, CT.
