Decorating can cost a lot of money. Decorating a magazine-worthy home costs even more, as much as you want it to. Rugs, fabrics, carpet, furniture, and mirrors add up and do damage to your purse. The good news, however, is that you can do some things to get a high-quality look without spending a fortune. Here are some of the best ways to make your living room look like a million bucks without having to spend a lot more than you actually have to.
Decorative Moulding
Decorative moulds and castings are great ways to give your room a luxurious look without spending a lot of money. For the most refined and elegant look, paint your mould the same colour as your walls. You can do this by yourself without the need to hire professionals. If you decide to hire a professional, however, it can be relatively inexpensive and well worth the investment.
Display an Antique
Nothing gives your room a sense of wisdom and history more than fine antiques. Antiques have a patina that cannot be recreated. It does not have to be expensive too; simple things like items picked up at a Paris flea market will do. Large-scale accessories like mirrors, lamps, and furniture pieces are great, but small accessories can do just fine too. Antique picture frames, boxes, and sculptural wall sconces can give your room an illusion that it was more expensive to decorate than it actually was.
Include Curvy Shapes
To give your room depth and interest, it's important to use a variety of shapes. If your goal is to make it appear more expensive, you can add a few curved items. There can be curvy hats, sculptures, and the list goes on. A room where the lines are straight and clean will definitely fall flat.
Custom Window Treatments
While they are not always cheap, fitted curtains are guaranteed to make a room look beautiful and quite frankly, expensive. If you're interested in investing in your room, this is a great way to do it.
Add Metallic Items
Multiple metal surfaces can help give your room a luxurious look. It's important not to overdo it. Mirrors made of gold leaves can help make your room appear more expensive. You only need a little to get a lot.
Fresh Flowers
The bouquets you put out should not be sparse, but they should be rich and lush. Flowers can instantly lift the mood in any room. That’s not to say you want a huge display on every surface, but you can ensure that any bouquets you exhibit are worth looking at.
Create Vignettes
It's not difficult, but the impact is huge. Making a vignette ensures that you don’t just drag items from a bookcase or mantle. Create a smart grid on every surface.
Dimmer Switches
The guaranteed way of making a room beautiful is dim lighting. Everyone looks better in dim light. Add a switch to the lights in your home. It's not expensive, and you won't regret it at all.
These are just some of the ways to spruce up your home without having to break the bank. The list is not exhaustive, and you may look around for more ways. Do not forget to get insurance for your home and every new thing you acquire. Getting home and contents from AMI, for example, will keep you covered. A note of caution though, do not overdo anything you are doing. Always remember that there is sophistication in simplicity as well.