Image: Pinterest
Creating an elegant home is not necessarily the top priority for most people. Comfortable, yes…luxurious, not so much. Most often luxury is associated with $$$ and formality but there are inexpensive ways to create a comfortable, LIVABLE + beautiful home. Paying attention to the small details and choosing the right materials, colors + patterns can transform your home from generic to gorgeous without wiping out your bank account.
There are certainly more ways than five ways to add a richer feeling to your home but here are my top suggestions:
1. TRIM/ MILL WORK
I’m not talking about your run-of-the-mill clam shell trim; think crown molding. This little bit of detail adds a big style punch + value to your home. Additional trim work, like a chair rail, can also break up the monotony of plain walls and give some dimension to a room.
Image: Pulte Homes via The Creativity Exchange
2. LIGHTING/HARDWARE
Anything that gives off more, controlled + layered lighting will make your rooms feel cozy + inviting. Update builder grade light fixtures and if you’re using dimmers + CFL or LED bulbs make sure the bulb AND dimmer are compatible.
I prefer warmer lighting and often opt for incandescent bulbs but there are lots of options out now for LED including amber colored ones that give that candlelight glow while still saving you money.
Layer lighting as much as possible. Recessed lighting is great for getting light all over a room but table lamps, pendant lights and sconces add ambient lighting. The key to layered + dimmed lighting is to not have just two options- on or off- but to be able to tone down the lighting in a room as needed. That is where dimmers and multi-switch lamps come into play.
Utilize natural light as much as possible but if you are short on windows, add strategically placed mirrors to reflect as much light as possible and make dark spaces seem larger.
Hardware with a little bit of shine and clean lines can elevate your cabinetry without breaking the bank. Even if you bought your home as new construction, the hardware on the cabinets is most likely the most inexpensive option (if you even have hardware at all) and in places like the kitchen you want something that looks great + will withstand constant use. Check out my go-to sources for hardware in the previous blog post.
Layered Lighting Image: Houzz
3. COLORS
Opt for colors that are neutral + soft or bold with high contrasting elements scattered throughout the decor. And when I say bold, I don’t mean bubble gum pink. Think dark brown or a glossy navy. Always keep in mind the function of the room and the overall feeling you want to create in the space. For example, I’m a neutral person all the way, and for bathrooms I prefer them to be spa-like and lean towards softer grays, creams, and light greenish-blues. Maybe even a soft lavender here and there. I personally would not choose a pumpkin colored orange for a bathroom because it’s too energizing but again, this is personal preference.
If you’re looking for bold color and pattern mixing inspiration, the absolute king in this department is Miles Redd. While some colors are not my taste and his overall style is certainly not for the unadventurous, his ability to mix the right colors and patterns to make a space look eclectic but pulled together and elegant is undeniable. You may not want to copy a room he has designed but it is easy to pull inspiration from one. Whether it’s a pattern on a foot stool or the color on a wall, there is always something to love in a Miles Redd design. P.s. he just paired up with Ballard Design to launch a small collection and it is so good!
Miles Redd Image: House Beautiful
Miles Redd Image: House Beautiful
4. TEXTURE
Cheap synthetic fabrics are not the way to go if you are looking to up your style game. Choose natural fiber throw rugs in wool or sisal; linen or silk drapes; cotton or faux fur throws (this synthetic is allowed HA!); twill, linen, chenille or velvet furniture. Even adding texture to your walls with grasscloth wallpaper can make a huge difference. Of course your environment will determine the best fabric for your space. Sisal, jute, linen and cotton would be the best choices for beach houses that see a lot of sand + salt air; silk, wool and velvet can make a more urban home fit into the sophisticated appeal of city life.
Layering textures is especially important of you are going monochromatic or neutral. With no bold colors to make things stand out, you have to relay on texture. Sophie Patterson does this seamlessly by having wood, metal + smooth marble balanced out with plush carpet, silk throw pillows, luxurious couches and textured walls. She gives dimension to a sea of neutrals.
Image: Sophie Patterson Interiors
5. DECOR
Decorating with a lot of accessories or ones that can be found on the shelves of almost every big box store will not make your home stand out as a unique element. Don’t get me wrong, I own things from Pottery Barn but I don’t want to outfit a whole room just like a PB catalog. Picking a few pieces that you love from popular stores is great, but factoring in personal items like heirlooms or something you picked up on a special trip are what truly makes your house a home and sets it apart from every other home. Art is the best way to personalize your home, just stay away (again) from purchasing pieces at places like Bed, Bath and Beyond or Target. The idea is to have art be a conversation starter not have someone say, “Oh I saw that on sale last week,” or “I have that same piece. Ikea, right?”
Incorporating reflective surfaces such as glass, metals + mirrors create a bit of sparkle in the home, especially if you place them near light sources and ambient candle light.
Image: Pinterest
Remember, the end goal is not to have a home where nothing can be touched or used, but rather one you feel comfortable in. Try some of these small changes and notice the difference it makes in your life!
What are little ways you have added luxury into your home?