Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades That Look Expensive

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a stunning home with all the bells and whistles, but what if you don’t want to spend thousands on upgrades? Do renovations and updates have to break the bank to be worthwhile? Nope! While it's true upgrades can get pricey, you can still make small, affordable changes that make a huge impact.

Refresh walls and trim with a high-quality paint in a modern color. Paint is also an excellent way to breathe new life into old furniture. Upgrade lighting and plumbing fixtures for stylish alternatives and replace old cabinet hardware. Add architectural interest through molding and texture, give your entry a boost, and rethink your window treatments.

Keep reading to see how you can update your home for less. These home improvements elevate your space without squashing your budget.

Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Paint

Paint isn’t just for walls. It is, by far, one of the most affordable ways to drastically change the look and feel of your entire home. Use a high-quality paint-and-primer combo, and choose a modern or neutral hue to give your home a refresh and elevate it instantly.

You can also give your cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms a new look with paint. A semi-gloss finish on trim, molding, and doors provides a luxe look. It’s also possible to give your worn-out furniture an inexpensive upgrade using paint.

No matter what you decide to paint, narrow down your options and test them out with samples first. If the whole point is to keep expenses low, you don’t want to waste money on paint you actually don’t like.

Purchase sample jars for a few bucks and make some large swatches using poster board. Then, you can move it around your space to see how the color looks in various locations and under different lighting. Plan a cohesive color scheme to keep your home looking sophisticated and give it that designer look.

Upgrade Outdated Lighting Fixtures

Statement light fixtures are an excellent way to create a drastic change without undergoing major, costly renovations. Even in new construction homes, often it’s builder-grade fixtures that are pretty much underwhelming.

Check out places like Wayfair or IKEA for some interesting options that don’t cost a ton of money. You could also score some truly unique styles for less by scoping out secondhand shops, online marketplaces, flea markets, and thrift shops.

In addition to updating your fixtures, pay attention to the bulbs and other features, like dimmers. Dimming lights gives you more control over the ambience in your space. If you use smart bulbs, you can easily dim the lights and change the color temperature to set the perfect mood in your home.

Also, pay attention to the types of light sources. For example, don’t just use overhead lighting. Consider things like table lamps, floor lamps, under-cabinet lighting, LED strips, and wall sconces. You can find plug-in or battery-operated options if you don’t want to pay for an electrician to hard-wire wall fixtures.

Add Architectural Interest With Molding Or Wall Treatments

Think about grand homes you’ve seen, whether in person, in magazines, or online. They usually have a lot of interesting architectural details. If your home is lacking in these areas, fake it with things like picture frame molding or adding a wall feature like wainscoting or shiplap to certain spaces.

Check discount home stores for affordable crown molding for spaces such as your dining room, living room, and primary bedroom. These little touches are relatively easy to install (there are even peel-and-stick molding options), but they make a huge impact.

Textured wallpaper is also an interesting way to elevate a space. If you don’t want to make that big of a commitment, look for removable options. Or consider framing large pieces of fabric or wallpaper and hanging them in a row to create a unique feature wall.

Replace Outdated Hardware And Fixtures

Another easy way to make a big difference in your home and give it an upgraded look is to swap out old hardware and plumbing fixtures. This could be new faucets in the bathroom and kitchen, new knobs on the cabinets, new drawer pulls, and even new hinges.

If you like the style of your hardware but not the color, save even more money by painting the existing hardware. However, make sure you get the right kind of paint for the material (metal, wood, glass, etc.).

New hardware can also give your old furniture pieces a brand-new look, especially when coupled with a fresh coat of paint. Before you run out and buy something new, consider the bones and lines of your existing pieces. With the right colors and hardware, you could change the entire style of your dresser, end tables, etc.

Create A Luxe Look For Less With Window Treatments

Ditch the builder blinds and, whatever you do, take down the vertical blinds! If you have high-quality blinds, that’s great, but you can make things even better. Opt for floor-to-ceiling curtains that suit the rest of your design. Hang rods an inch or two, max, from the ceiling to create the illusion of taller rooms, which conveys a grand, lush look.

Extend rods a couple of inches on either side of your window (or more) to make windows appear even larger than they are. Find affordable velvet, linen, or other luxury fabric curtain dupes on Amazon or places like Home Goods, Target, and similar spaces. 

Elevate Your Entryway Design

Want your home to impress? Set the stage from the second people arrive at your home with an updated entryway. Paint your front door a modern, bold color that complements the other exterior hues of your property.

Get updated house numbers, update your porch lights, and get a new welcome mat. Pressure wash the driveway, porch, and walkways (because grime isn’t glam). You can rent a pressure washer from Home Depot or similar places for affordable rates.

Weed the garden, add a few potted plants, and mow the lawn. Great curb appeal is a must if you want your home to give the right impression, and it doesn’t have to cost a ton.

Be Strategic And Intentional With Art And Decor

Don’t overfill your home with decor to make it look chic and designer. There is such a thing as going too far, so keep things intentional. Aim to keep some surface space clear and consider things that add to your design instead of muddy it up or confuse it.

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind.

• Large mirrors, strategically placed, can help rooms feel bigger and brighter.
• Purchase oversized frames from the thrift store (so much cheaper than buying new) to show off a large piece of DIY art or interesting fabric.
• Use one large statement art piece or a curated gallery wall instead of a bunch of random wall art.
• Reassess your space every now and then and edit out extraneous decor that makes its way into your design over time.
• Avoid using word signs and other mass-produced wall art. Original art can give your home an updated look, even if it’s something you (or your kids) created. Frame it in one of those thrifted frames.
• Get pillow covers two inches smaller than your forms to give throw pillows a plumper, fuller look.

Make Your Home Look Expensive Without Breaking The Bank

In addition to these ideas, little things like changing outlet covers or swapping out dusty lampshades, make a big difference. Even a new set of all-white, plush towels can give your bathroom a completely new look and feel.

Therefore, don’t underestimate the power of the simple and small tweaks. You don’t have to dive headfirst into costly upgrades or try to do everything at once. Start with the smaller projects, then upgrade elements as you go.

Going slowly actually has an added benefit of giving you more time to decide on what you really want your home to be. So treat it like a marathon, not a sprint, and stay aware of how your needs and wants change over time.

Great style doesn’t need to be expensive, but it should be intentional. Take your time, and stay true to your design and what you like. These tips will help you create a home that looks beautiful, luxe, and stylish without draining your wallet.

Related Guides:

• Transitioning Your Home Decor: When To Decorate For Each Season
• 10 Ways To Buy Furniture And Home Decor On A Budget
• 15 Design Mistakes That Make Your Home Look Cheap