Want to give your home an expensive vibe but are strapped for cash? Don’t like the boring old furniture and want to replace it—or convert a boring wall into an accent wall — but don’t want to spend too much? As they say, necessity and boredom is the mother of invention. All you need is a little creativity and zeal to DIY (do it yourself). Let’s check out these budget-friendly ideas to give your interiors an upscale, creatively stylish look.
10 Cheap Ways To Make Your House Look Expensive
Decorate The Walls
If a paint job breaks the bank, adding wallpaper is the perfect way to ornate the walls. Plus wall papers hide those cracks and wall damp too. While a Rinceaux Mirror from Lalique will burn a hole in your pocket — something like modern, abstract print or go for Indian heritage patterns wont. Plus, they bring in panache with elegance. For a quicker or eclectic appeal, adorn the wall with piece de resistance — and it needn’t be an expensive artwork! This wall-hanging from Shriya’s Beats reminds you of Monica’s door in the sitcom FRIENDS — and it effortlessly brings in a touch of shabby-chic.
Repurpose Existing Furniture
Repainting or reupholstering existing furniture is a bold and dramatic way to enliven editing pieces without worrying about costs. Leather provides a plush feel but it's not suitable for the humid Indian climate. On the contrary, a faux leather or suede cushion can provide the same look for less. Another option is to play with patterns. You can mix and match vibrantly patterned upholstery with plains to create a harmonious balance and plush feel. Another alternative is to bring in a colourful furniture piece. Yes, we love the York Rodolfo Dordoni from Minotti in red but something like a powder-coated iron chair from Amoliconcepts in refreshing orange or even pink & blue does the trick on a budget.
Dress Up The Windows
Drab curtains totally dress-down the look of your home and Caironi Carlo & C. srl is not a fit for the budget. Go for sheer white curtains that bring in light but shield views. In particular, sheer off-white curtains from brands like Zeba give a rich, lustrous feel to the window without taking upon square footage. You can also add planters on the window ledge or flank the frames. Macramé pot hanger from Prakrti Garden Boutique does the trick without trying too hard. Go for materials that exude a rich look without costing a bomb -- think Damask furnishing instead of brocade. The latter is less expensive and easier to upkeep while providing the same pizzazz you seek.
Throw A Carpet
Yes, boring and worn out floor tiles can look bad, but there’s always a way to fix this. Carpets and rugs give the interiors an upscale look in a jiffy. And yes there are options apart from Axminster Carpets and Brintons. Kanchan Arts offers carpets in bespoke designs and exquisite finishes to elevate aesthetics in a budget-friendly yet luxurious way. If you want to keep it understated, then go for a cotton rug like this one from Saasha World that covers the floor well but is washable and easy to maintain. Do remember that size matters -- a rug that properly fits offers a cohesive feel, expanding space -- thus instilling a more luxurious vibe.
Bring In Mirrors
Lack of windows and natural light makes the home seem dull. Add to the sense of expanse and reflect more light by adding mirrors. Nautical mirrors like the ones available at Mohh frame the wall beautifully and give a minimalistic yet eclectic vibe. Crochet mirrors from Twisted Needle instil panache while being pocket-friendly. You can arrange different sizes on the wall to create a layered effect and ornate the walls for a luxurious look. And you can always scout the flea market to repurpose an older mirror frame.
Set Up A Gallery
Not all artwork -- think Picasso or Hussain -- is expensive and needed to set up a gallery. A great way to bring boring corners and walls to life is by decorating them with memorabilia. This can be photographs, cards, art and craft and almost anything. The idea is to arrange them in a linear way to catch attention. For example, Fun/ctional has great handcrafted cork picture frames or colourful photo frames from Yatha.
Go LED With Lights
Switch from incandescent bulbs to LEDs — they are trendier, less expensive and eco-friendly. There’s so much you can do with lights to give your home a dazzling makeover without breaking the bank with Porada Lights. String lights in assortments of shades from Brand World are just right for balconies and windows. Pendant lights like this abstract pinewood maze light from soulspiti or bamboo hanging lights from the Viskaa store add oomph to any space. If you want to add character to a space, then the FOS LIGHTING’s Edison Antique Wall Light does the trick.
Organise & Declutter
Sometimes all it takes is a little perspective. Organise your home and get rid of clutter — you will be amazed at how it gives the interiors a lift. Think of baskets, shelves, etc. Hollyhock’s black metal wire basket storage is a great way to stack books. Also, decorative pieces in small sizes like crystal tchotchkes appear bigger when arranged in an ascending order. For the kitchen and bathroom, use bamboo baskets like Kopou Homegrown Products or hang a shelf from IndianYards. Vertical storage shelves are another simple way to pack a punch with storage.
Rearrange The Furniture
Why not shift a few things around to give your home a fresh lease of life. There are so many great tricks you can have up your sleeve. For instance, if you have an old bench by the foyer, use it with the dining table and move the chairs to the living room. If you had an old chest, then throw a mat on it and use it for sitting. Just a little rearrangement and shuffling from one room to the other does the trick.
If you're looking to get some furniture, we have plenty of options. Here are pouffes and stools, computer tables that don't look chunky as well as sofas under INR 30,000.
Build A Theme
Picking a particular colour palette and overall style can make a world of difference to give your home an upscale makeover. You can have a little bit of that particular colour in everything from the furniture to the accessories. Pick a theme based on items that you may already have. For instance, if you pick yellow, then have yellow dining mats or a ceramic centrepiece from Jasmey Homes. Printed cushions from Kairu or bedsheets from SWHF create a cohesive look. You can add flower vases, wall hangings and even upholstery to compliment the same. Punctuate the theme that looks rich -- it could be an artefact that looks like crystal or find great products under Rs. 2000.
Go ahead and try these cheap ideas to give your home an expensive, upscale look!
