Five Ways to Make Your Home Look Luxurious-- Without Spending Any Money

You know the houses I'm talking about... you get that *feeling* when you enter them.

It's not the size or the price tag, these homes just feel good... they look expensive.

But don't get too hung up on that part of it, budget doesn't have to dictate style. The homes I'm talking about may have some Ikea furniture with draperies that are far from custom, but the spaces still make you want to be in them.

So, what is it that makes some homes luxe even when the things in them aren't?

We all know that we can swap out old hardware for new or change dated light fixtures for a current look but that costs money and there are freebies we can cash in on before we even get to that point.

So, let's get your space feeling expensive for less!

Clean Up-- Yep, I just told you to clean your house. Ha!

Messy is never going to look expensive and even your priciest pieces will lose their shine when they are drowning in layers of mess. You and your home will feel so much better if you can appreciate what you have without all the extra stress of clutter and chaos.

Your possessions will instantly look more luxe.

You can always try the Marie Kondo method that was super popular a few years back (remember when our belongings were "sparking joy?")

Or you can clean like there's no tomorrow and crack out a full fledged Swedish Death Clean.

It's a macabre sounding title but the concept really isn't. It's all about keeping the memories without keeping all the stuff.

Margareta Magnusson encourages people to live clutter free and to share possessions with friends instead of cramming them into cupboards and closets. How irritating is it when we come home and see mess? Margareta is trying to save you from this.

Life is hard enough; we don't need to add anymore drama, so let's get our blood pressure down and bring our home's value up, just by cleaning up.

Fresh arrangements-- rooms are just better with nature in them.

Sometimes my favorite thing in an inspiration picture on Pinterest is the plant or floral arrangement in it. Yes, the living room is GORGE, but what would it be without the fiddle leaf fig in the corner? The mantle is INSPIRING but take away the large branch and what are you left with? There's something about mixing something living or natural into a room that suddenly makes everything else around it feel tied together and luxurious.

Look outside in your yard, at the park, on a walk: even a stick that has fallen from a tree and is lying on the ground can be pretty displayed in a plain glass vase.

Have you looked outside lately with your decor hat on? Nature kind of gets the whole design thing right and does all the work for you.

Your job? Bring it in.

Touch up chipped paint-- it's like chipped nails.

Your hands are going to look cheap if your nail polish is chipped and so will the walls and trim in your home. You can have a beautifully painted surface on most of the wall, but the eye will gravitate to the imperfections and the chips bring the whole scene down.

The fix is so easy, though!

It's just paint... you've totally got this one. Hit the problem area with another coat and let the blemish blend into the background.

You probably still have the rest of the paint from the original paint job (if you don't, from now on keep the leftovers for future touch ups) so go ahead, crack out the can and get rid of the chippy riff raff.

Honestly?

This will make a way bigger impact than you even know and it takes no time and NO money.

Go Minimalist--edit edit edit.

When you are shopping, don't buy something just because it's cute and "you'll find somewhere to put it." Buy what you need, otherwise you will be stuck with something that never really finds a home and it sticks out like a sore thumb. Even worse, you'll feel guilty you spent the money and keep it even though you know you shouldn't.

Look around-- what can leave?

Minimalism doesn't have to mean spartan or bare, it means "just enough." You have one throw blanket on the couch, not 4. You have one set of dishes, not 3. A clean, fresh expensive look is easier to achieve when your decor is thoughtful and not overburdened.

Here's an example.

A corner cabinet that needs some serious editing. The pieces may be pleasant on their own but the combination of everything together is way too much.

Less is so much more when it comes to most designs (maximalism is a whole other can of worms) but in this case, pick your fave pieces and let them shine (and breathe!).

Lose the labels-- keep them guessing!

A beautiful pricey looking candle can go from hot to not FAST if the huge Home Goods label is still bragging about how much you saved. Make your bargain hunted item look its very best.

I get it.

The labels stick and can be a complete pain in the neck to remove but I find using some soap, warm running water and a sponge with a rough surface does the trick in a flash.

Even better-- soak the piece of glassware or mirror for a bit. A soapy sink to leave your new goodies in will basically remove the tag for you.

Tag-free is definitely going to bring you closer to the look of luxury you're going for!

LET'S DISCUSS

So, what are you waiting for?

Let's get you living luxe for less (read: FREE).

You know the deal, I'll meet you in the comments below... and I'm anxiously awaiting to hear how these easy tips work in your home!

XX Kerri-Lee