Let’s face it; most people would make changes to their home if they thought it would make it look more expensive. Particularly if you’re trying to renovate on a budget or sell your property quickly, making your home “look” more expensive can reap significant rewards.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go to great expense in order to give your home a luxurious makeover. These 10 relatively cheap and simple tips should get your started.
1. Replace your front door
Most homes now have either a composite front door or one made from uPVC. Either way, the ubiquitous nature of these doors can make properties look very similar. However, by fitting a vintage door with character, you can completely transform your home overnight. See what you can salvage from builders or buy at auction — you might be surprised at what’s out there.
2. Fit glass door knobs
Instead of having metal door handles and door knobs — which most houses have these days — add a touch of elegance by fitting glass door knobs instead. You will find builder’s grade glass door knobs via internet auctions, clearance sales, car boot sales and markets.
3. Fit new bathroom taps
Chrome-plated or brass taps aren’t all that expensive these days, but they can completely elevate an entire bathroom to new levels of class and elegance. They can be fitted in just a few minutes, yet they often have the same impact as a full refit.
4. Reveal wooden floorboards
If you’re fortunate enough to have quality wooden floorboards in your home, it’s a shame to cover them up with carpet or synthetic floor coverings. Instead, expose the floorboards, sand them down and either paint or varnish them. This might take a lot of work, but it can transform your home into something elegant and classy without costing a small fortune.
5. Add window planter boxes
If you want to improve the exterior of your home, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Go to your local garden centre and look for attractive window boxes. Fit them just below the front windows in your home, and fill them with swathes of colour. You can turn the most generic of houses into a country cottage by choosing the right combination of colour and elegance.
6. Fit wooden window shutters
If you want to continue the country cottage theme, the addition of faux window shutters could finish things off nicely. Experiment with different woods and colour combinations in order to find the perfect shutters for your property.
7. Fit some elegant lighting
Take a look in the lighting department of your local hardware store, and you’ll probably see several rather expensive-looking lights that won’t break the bank. The addition of a modern chandelier could add an air of sophistication to a living room. A free-standing lamp in the corner of a room can also add warmth and cosiness during the winter.
8. Create the illusion of extra height
If you’ve ever been in a classic Victorian terraced home, you’ll know how high and beautiful the ceilings can be. Although you probably won’t be able to elevate your own ceilings, you can create the illusion of extra height by hanging curtains as close to them as possible. Floor-to-ceiling curtains will create an optical illusion that will magically “stretch” the rooms of your home.
9. Add a few antiques
By searching for unique, bespoke furniture, accessories and furnishings, you can create the impression that your home is more expensive than it is. While most people rely on major retailers for mass-produced furniture, filling your home with items from auctions, charity shops and local markets could add an air of sophistication.
10. Whitewash
You can bring everything inside your home to life by setting it against a brilliant white background. There’s just something about a white room that screams expense and extravagance. Creating an all-white canvas in a room will allow you to make a feature out of colourful accessories, furniture and furnishings.
You don’t always need to remodel your home to make it appear more expensive that it actually is. Just a little imagination can often work wonders.
