My ‘perfect’ addition will make your house look expensive and classy for cheap – plus 5 more budget decorating tips
AN interior design expert has revealed the little-known tricks that can be used to enhance the appearance of any home.
Her budget-friendly tips can make spaces look expensive and more spacious.
Camilla Lesser is an interior expert at Essential Living, a property developer based in London, England.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she shared advice for cheaply revamping homes.
FABULOUS FURNITURE
Lesser said statement lighting is a “perfect” addition to rooms and an “affordable” way to make homes look expensive and classy.
She recommends setting the atmosphere with wall lights, lamps, and mood lighting rather than one big light.
“Another trick to make your home look expensive is carefully choosing furniture that has character,” she said.
“Decorating with wooden pieces can add texture to your home and make it look sophisticated.
“Also, opting for statement pieces like an oversized headboard or large artwork for your walls can add even more sophistication.”
She said local charity shops and markets are ideal places to find artwork for a bargain.
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS
Lesser raved that “nothing transforms spaces” like a flower arrangement as they make the home look “fresh, colorful, and inviting.”
“Tulips and dandelions are particularly popular flowers for spring, as they are beautiful, vibrant, and can make a dark room appear brighter,” she said.
“Flowers will help to elevate your room, but if you’re worried about having to keep replacing the flowers, you could opt for some realistic silk flowers that you won’t have to replace.”
CLEVER COLORS
Lesser said opting for a neutral color scheme is another way to overhaul homes.
However, there’s one bold color that should be incorporated into the design.
“No matter what style your interior is, make sure you’re adding in a touch of black to create that modern, classy feel,” she said.
PERFECT ACCESSORY
Lesser revealed an easily overlooked accessory can have an impact on the overall look of the home.
“A rug says a lot about a home, so make sure you’re being strategic with where you place it and try not to overdo it too much,” she said.
“Furniture should sit on the rug rather than around it and going for one that’s wider than a sofa or bed can look lovely.
“The larger the rug, the more expensive the home feels.”
How can you make a home look more spacious?
Camilla Lesser recommended bringing in more natural light to make a space look bigger.
“You can do this by moving any blockers from in front of the windows, whether that’s a cabinet or mirror,” she said.
“During the day, also ensure you’re pulling back the curtains as far as possible as this will let in more light.”
She said mirrors can be strategically placed to reflect sunlight around the space, such as opposite the door you enter the room through.
The interior expert revealed decluttering can also have a huge impact when trying to create the illusion of having more space.
“Start by identifying specific areas or rooms needing immediate attention and sort items into different categories,” she said.
“For communal spaces like the living room, remove any items that don’t belong there and then give it a little clean.
“Dust and wipe the surfaces to brighten up your space, wash bedding, and remove any rubbish you no longer need.”
SIMPLE STYLE
Lesser warned that it’s important to be mindful of how each feature chosen will add to the overall aesthetic of the home.
From the wall colors to the accessories, she said they should complement each other.
“Make sure you’re also adding a pop of color rather than a color overload,” she said.
“Unless you’re set on having a really bright and lively room, be careful not to mix and match too many colors, as this can make the space feel crowded and overwhelming.”