- Fabulous
- Real Life
LUXE GOOD
Plus, how your photo frames could be making your lounge look tacky
- Becky Pemberton
WITH many people doing spring cleans on their home, lots of people will be taking the time to also freshen up their interiors.
And one of the most popular trends is to make houses look expensive on a budget.
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With numerous A-listers giving fans behind-the-scenes peeks at their lavish homes on social media, it’s no surprise that homeowners are seeking out ways to make their homes appear more expensive without breaking the bank.
In fact, Google searches for ‘make home look expensive’ have shot up by 110 per cent in the last three months, whilst ‘affordable decor’ has seen an increase of 34 per cent in the last month.
Sophie Clemson, interior designer at The Living House, teamed up with Not On The High Street, and shared her top inexpensive trick to make your home look posher.
£2 cushion trick
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If you want to instantly give your lounge a facelift, you should pay attention to your cushions.
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Sophie said: “You don’t have to spend a fortune on cushions to make them look expensive.
“Simply swapping out the polyester cushion insert for a feather filled insert will instantly make your cushions look fuller and more luxurious.”
Anna Ross, at Not On The High Street, added: “Limp and lifeless cushions will instantly cheapen your space.
“You can purchase feather filled pillow inserts for as little as £2, making this a quick, easy and affordable swap that has a big pay off.”
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Rugs rule
Sophie suggests going oversized with furnishings and decor to make a statement.
The interior professional explained: “Go large with your rugs to make your home look more expensive.
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“You can find oversized rugs from high street brands that won’t break the bank.
“For your living room, choose a rug that’s big enough to fit under the front feet of the sofa, this helps to anchor the space.
“If your rug is too small and floats in the middle of the room, it won’t add much and may even make the space feel smaller by drawing the eye inward.”
Large lighting
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You should also go big with your lighting, according to Sophie.
She advised: “Choose large lighting pieces to elevate your home too.
“Think big table lamps with chunky ceramic bases and statement ceiling lights that draw the eye upward and make a strong impact.”
Switch your sockets
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Most homes will come with standard white sockets and switches, but Sophie has a quick fix that can instantly make your home appear more expensive and put together.
She advised: “Instead of sticking with the standard white light switches and sockets, choose a metal finish like antique brass to make your home look more expensive.
“This works especially well in rooms painted in darker colours, where a white switch would stand out, while a metal finish blends in seamlessly.”
Anna agreed, saying: “Colour drenching is a trend that is huge in luxury interiors at the moment, but standard white switches and sockets can drastically cheapen the look.
“One way to combat this is to purchase paintable light switches that allow you to paint the socket the same colour as the rest of the room.
“These can be purchased on the market for around £9, making them an affordable way to create a more cohesive and put together look.”
Home upgrades that add the most value to a house
The best renovation to add value totally depends on your property, the local market and your potential buyers.
Zoopla shared a list of upgrades that will instantly add value to your home.
- Loft conversion - increase of 15%
- Off-street parking - adds £50,000 to property price
- New kitchen - increase of 15%
- Garage conversion - increase of 15%
- Cellar or basement conversion - increase of 10-15%
- Open plan living space - increase of 3-5%
- New bathroom - increase of 3-5%
Oversized frames
When framing your photographs and artwork, Sophie recommends choosing picture frames that have oversized mounts.
She shared: “This will make them look more luxurious and expensive, compared to a standard mount.”
Anna added: “Another way to elevate your artwork or family photos is to mix up your frames. “Unless you have a simple, monochrome interior style, steer clear of basic black photo frames.
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“Instead, opt for wooden frames in shades that complement your interior decor, this will look more considered and thought through.
“If you are feeling brave, utilising frames to add a small pop of colour or pattern can be a nice way to elevate a space and add areas of interest.”
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