Interior designers swear by these cheap tricks to make your home look more expensive

“For builder-grade homes, I would start with the details people actually touch and see every day,” said Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer. That includes light switches. Made from zinc alloy with intricate beveled borders, these decorative wall plates make an everyday essential feel expensive and elevated. Choose from several finishes and over a dozen configurations to fit most switches.

“Expensive-looking rooms usually aren't about having more,” said Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer. “They tend to have fewer things” like “better lighting and details that feel deliberate.” For example, swap an outdated ceiling light with something fresh, bright, and modern. This flush ceiling light has a matte black exterior and a gold interior, illuminating your space while adding an elevated touch.

According to Alysia Panther (head of interior design at House Designer), “cabinet knobs are inexpensive to change, but they can make the home feel much less standard very quickly." These cabinet pulls are made from zinc alloy with a gold-brushed finish and an Art Deco-inspired sunburst design. They come in a pack of 10 with two screw lengths to fit most drawers, cabinets, and furniture.

“All-white kitchens are so trendy right now, but most of them read as sterile,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, who prefers “a stone accent for the backsplash.” If new stone tiles aren’t in your budget, this peel-and-stick backsplash gives you depth and color on the cheap. They’re shiny, heat-resistant, and textured for a realistic finish, but they’re a breeze to install with their self-adhesive backing.

"A large jute or wool rug,” said Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors. “Nothing else at this price point does as much to make a room feel finished, warm, and expensive." This area rug is handwoven from 100% jute, so it’s cozy, earthy, elevated, and capable of withstanding heavy traffic. It’s also easy to vacuum and spot-clean in case of messes, and it comes in tons of size options.

According to Wendi Gee (principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors), a stylish rug gives you the “best bang for the buck” while decorating — but some rooms call for something a little more durable. This stain-resistant rug is treated with a nano-protective coating to repel dirt and spills, plus it’s machine-washable. Needless to say, it’s a no-brainer for dining rooms, kids’ areas, laundry rooms, and homes with pets.

According to Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, a well-loved blanket “tossed casually over a chair gives the impression that real people reside within the space.” While it’s brand-new, this chenille knit throw feels like it’s been in your family for generations. Its checkered cable-knit texture gives it a cozy yet elevated aesthetic, and it’s non-shedding, pill-resistant, and machine-washable for easy upkeep.

JJ Hornig, founder of Roxy Rentals, suggests keeping your lighting consistent: “When one lamp casts a cool, stark light and another gives off a warm glow, the room doesn't come together,” said Hornig, who prefers “the softness of incandescent bulbs, especially in living rooms and bedrooms.” These soft-white incandescent bulbs are affordable, flicker-free, and designed to fit most fixtures.

“Swap the light fittings,” said Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors. “You can find good options for under $50." This plug-in pendant light, for example, doesn’t even require wiring — because its gold-tone braided cord becomes part of the design. It’s dimmable with a handcrafted rattan shade, and it comes with a hook so you can mount it above beds, dining tables, reading nooks, and more.

“Builder fixtures are chosen to be inoffensive and cheap,” said Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors. Replacing the bathroom vanity light “signals that the home has been considered rather than just moved into.” This vanity fixture is both vintage and modern with its gold-tone base and dual glass tulip shades. Its back plate is easy to install, while its E26 sockets fit most bulbs.

According to JJ Hornig (founder of Roxy Rentals), you can make a much bolder statement when you “hang curtains higher and wider than the window,” which “draws the eye up and makes a small room feel larger.” Hornig recommends this telescoping curtain rod, which expands from 66 to 120 inches, so you can adjust the width as needed. It also looks ornate and elegant with its woodgrain finish and carved leaf pattern, but its metal interior and iron brackets can support up to 33 pounds.

Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors, also recommends mounting your curtains as high as possible: “Hang curtains at ceiling height, not at the window frame. It costs the same amount of fabric, but it makes the ceiling feel dramatically higher. This is the most underused trick in residential design." These semi-sheer curtains have an airy, linen-like texture that won’t overwhelm the room, and their 96-inch height billows from floor to ceiling.

If your kitchen feels overly sterile, Joanne Loftus (president and owner of Archival Designs) suggests adding open wood shelving to warm up the space. It “costs virtually nothing if you’re already stuck with white cabinets, and instantly elevates a drab space to custom grade.” This floating shelf is made from solid wood. Its scalloped edges feel cozy and rustic, while its three tiers offer open storage for mugs, plates, plants, and decor.

“If a room feels flat, a textured pillow can add softness without crowding the sofa,” said JJ Hornig, founder of Roxy Rentals, who recommends these pillow covers. Their boucle stripes and canvas-like fabric add elevated texture, and they come in several colors to suit your space. “I like to pull its color from something already in the space so the choice feels intentional,” Hornig said. Get them in a handful of sizes to fit existing pillow inserts (sold separately).

Have your lamps seen better days? Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer, recommends leaving the bases, but swapping out your shades for something a little more eye-catching. Made from a combination of bamboo and iron, this colorful lampshade features a minimalist grid pattern in rich, earthy tones, elevating both your lamp and your space on a limited budget.

Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, likes to display wooden cutting boards as functional decor that warms up a kitchen: “This one material adds depth [and] something for the eye to rest on in an otherwise flat space.” This cutting board is crafted from three layers of heat-processed bamboo, making it durable and reversible. It also has grooves to catch juice and side handles for grip.

Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer, likes using large mirrors to make a space feel bigger and brighter: “Position it where it can catch natural light or reflect something worth looking at. It helps the room feel lighter without adding more clutter.” This gold-tone arched mirror is elegant, minimalist, and affordable, especially given its floor-length size. Its tempered glass resists shattering, and it has both hooks and a stand, so you can hang it or prop it.

Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, also uses mirrors to make a space feel bigger. “I like to use mirrors opposite windows to reflect natural light and make the space look twice as big as it really is. I use this method a lot with tall curtains and a single mirror in very small bedrooms and living rooms." This oval wall mirror works well in small spaces — especially since you can hang it above furniture.

“Choose one accessory with personality,” said JJ Hornig, founder of Roxy Rentals, who recommends this rustic terracotta vase with earthy stripes, a large handle, and wooden beads. “I’d rather style a table with a distinctive vase and a few branches than fill it with generic decor. One piece with character makes the room feel more personal."

"A good use of color can quickly make a room feel cozier and more personal,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. Applying peel-and-stick wallpaper is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to warm up your space with color. This floral print adds bright, botanical-inspired personality, and the waterproof vinyl is durable enough for the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.

Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home, recommends “painting floor to ceiling in a single color, wrapping the room in the same warm tone. This creates a more intimate feeling, especially when using darker, moodier colors.” This all-in-one paint sticks to just about any interior or exterior surface without sanding, priming, or a top coat. It also comes in dozens of shades, from bright to moody.

“A lot of people offload the design decisions in their home onto sets, which certainly all go together but will also appear too matchy,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. An unexpected accent, like this hourglass stool, breaks up the uniformity so your space feels unique and curated. Use it as a stool, a footrest, or a side table — and the lid comes off so you can store clutter inside.

Wendi Gee (principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors) agrees that “all-matching furniture sets” make a room feel cheap and impersonal. Instead, add unexpected accent pieces that make a space your own. This foam-stuffed pouf ottoman is covered in cozy, vintage-inspired corduroy that comes in tons of colors. While it’s easy to incorporate into your existing decor, its distinctive texture keeps things from feeling too coordinated.

“When the sofa, coffee table, and side tables came from the same collection it looks like a showroom floor,” said Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors. Instead, “Mix in one vintage or second-hand piece and the whole room starts to look curated." This wavy side table adds unexpected texture while remaining functional and easy to match. Its glass top adheres with suction cups for sturdy storage.

If you already invested in matching pieces, “you don’t need to buy a whole new set of furniture to fix this,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. Try swapping pieces between rooms and adding a few timeless furnishings that never go out of style. This accent chair has a wooden frame with button-tufted faux leather, pulling in multiple design styles while making it look cozy and sophisticated.

“One piece that is out of date may feel personal or eclectic,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. Take, for example, this vintage-style clock. Its French Rococo elements and gold-tone frame elevate your work desk, bookshelf, or bedside table, but it’s battery-operated for cordless power and uses silent quartz movement for non-distracting, accurate timekeeping.

“You can have perfectly good cabinets, but old handles can make the whole room feel tired,” said Alysia Panther (head of interior design at House Designer), who notices outdated hardware before anything else. These brushed brass handles come in several sizes to fit pre-drilled holes in most bathroom and kitchen cabinets, and their intricate alloy construction looks bougie and sophisticated.

Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer, also recommends swapping out the hardware in your bathroom: “Changing them for something simpler in brushed brass, aged bronze, or matte black can make a surprising difference, and you can often do the whole room for under $50.” This four-piece bathroom accessories set includes a towel bar, a towel ring, a robe hook, and a toilet paper holder, all made from sturdy metal with clean, modern silhouettes.

“In a builder-grade kitchen or bathroom, replacing basic knobs can make the cabinets feel more finished,” said JJ Hornig, founder of Roxy Rentals. “Choose a finish that works with the fixtures already in the room.” Hornig recommends these solid metal knobs, which come in several designs and shades to match most cabinets and existing fixtures. The concentric ridges are fresh, yet elegant.

“One trend I would be careful with is trying to make everything look ‘luxury’ at once,” said Alysia Panther, head of interior design at House Designer. “Lots of shiny gold, faux marble, and heavily styled accessories can have the opposite effect.” Instead, opt for a sculptural accessory that makes a statement without feeling excessive. This dimmable mushroom lamp looks effortlessly luxe, yet understated with its mid-century inspired silhouette and hand-blown shade.

Overcrowding is another common mistake, according to Alysia Panther (head of interior design at House Designer), who would rather spend $40 on one plant “than fill the room with lots of smaller decorative pieces.” This glazed ceramic planter brings warmth and organic charm to your space while remaining clean and minimalist. Its 10-inch size fits on tabletops and floors, and its matching saucer catches moisture from its built-in drainage hole.

Once you choose a polished-looking pot, you’ll need some greenery that’ll thrive inside it. If you’re looking for an indoor plant that’s super hardy, I’ve had this live snake plant on my coffee table since 2023, and it’s still going strong. It requires low light and minimal water, so you can place it on virtually any surface that could use a little more life.

Wall sconces are another cozy option to illuminate your home without harsh overhead lights — and since they don’t take up any space on floors and tabletops, they’re a great option for smaller rooms. This plug-in wall sconce combines an amber glass shade with a matte-brass base. You can install it two ways: hardwired for a clean, dimmable finish, or mounted to the wall with the cord hanging down for easier installation.

“A single center-of-the-room overhead light fixture throws the worst kind of light (i.e. – flat and harsh) and makes even the best furnished space feel lonely and uninviting,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs. That’s why Loftus also adds “a table lamp near seating” — ideally one that’s warm and welcoming. This amber glass lamp is touch-activated with three dimmer settings and a gold-tone base.

“In addition to the overhead lighting,” Joanne Loftus (president and owner of Archival Designs) usually incorporates two to three other light sources into the room, “including a floor lamp in a corner.” This floor lamp has a modern arched design with a clean linen shade and a gold-tone base. The knob allows for stepless dimming, so you can make the light as cozy and accommodating as you want.

For more traditional-looking spaces, this floor lamp has a mid-century-modern-inspired tripod base made out of natural rubber wood, and an earthy linen shade that diffuses light from the bulb (sold separately). “The bulbs used for these lamps should be warm in color to add coziness to the space,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs.

According to Joanne Loftus (president and owner of Archival Designs), “There’s also the matter of lighting in most builder-grade homes,” which often lack warmth and character. This modern Sputnik chandelier provides both of those things for a shockingly low price. The mount sits semi-flush against your ceiling, while the adjustable base lets you choose the ideal height to complement counters, tables, beds, and sitting areas. Unlike most harsh overheads, this one is dimmable.

While additional light sources pack a big punch in terms of ambiance, “the cost for these types of additional lighting is very minimal,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs. Take, for example, this dimmable night-light. While it looks like a vintage wall sconce, it plugs straight into an outlet for effortless mounting. It also turns on automatically at night for eye-friendly illumination and turns off at dawn to save power.

"A great way to make a room feel bigger is through subtraction: if you already don’t have a lot of space, densely packing a room will make it seem even smaller,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. “Instead, try to keep a more minimal design, which emphasizes open areas and space.” These wicker storage baskets help you hide clutter in plain sight for a neater aesthetic. Sold in a set of three graduated sizes, they’re woven from seagrass with toggle lids for stacking.

“We all tend to collect objects, favorite things, sentimental mementos. Too much can often feel cluttered,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. This travertine tray makes sink-side essentials, entryway accessories, and countertop clutter look like intentional decor. It’s made from Italian stone for durability and style, and it has pads on the bottom to prevent slipping and scratches.

“Think about editing every now and again [to] open up your space,” said Joanne Levin, co-founder and head of design at Levtex Home. For items you don’t need right now but may eventually need again, these heavy-duty moving bags can support up to 200 pounds of clothing, bedding, books, toys, and more. The wrap-around handles support the bottoms for easier carrying, while the water-resistant material lets you safely stash items in garages, basements, and attics.

“I have walked through numerous beautifully decorated model homes that felt empty because there was nothing displayed that related to the average homeowner,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, who recommends “layering personal objects around the home, such as family photos.” Available in several color options, this scalloped picture frame elevates your favorite memories with its metal construction and wavy gold-tone trim. Prop it vertically or horizontally, or hang it on the wall.

According to Wendi Gee (principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors), “Rooms that feel personal almost always have at least one thing in them that did not come from a big retailer.” This handmade peephole frame mimics the one on the iconic purple door in Friends, giving your space a nostalgic and personalized feel. The durable resin comes pre-lined with a peel-and-stick adhesive, so you can mount it in seconds without tools.

"Add something that has a story,” said Wendi Gee, principal designer at Wendi Gee Interiors. “A vintage find, a piece of art you actually chose, an object from somewhere you have been.” This ceramic coffee mug has an irregular shape with an oversized handle and a wavy rim. It’s also hand-painted with a cute floral pattern, but despite its artisanal charm, it can still handle the microwave and dishwasher.

According to Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs, drapes can “look really finished when you swap them out with a heavier fabric, even a basic blackout panel in a color of your choice. Most cost less than $50 per panel and the weight and drape of the fabric can make a huge difference.” These faux-linen curtains look fresh and modern — plus they’re easy to match — but they still block 100% of light to boost sleep quality, isolate noise, and maximize privacy.

“Another thing to consider when it comes to finishing a room are thick curtains,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs. “Thin, lightweight curtain panels that were included with a new home are often viewed as cheap-looking, even when the rest of the furniture is of good quality.” With their delicate floral print and tassel trim, these vintage farmhouse curtains look a lot more expensive than they are. They also feature a triple-weave construction that blocks out 100% of light.

Love the look of heavy drapes, but prefer the sun-filtering functionality of sheer curtains? You don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. This double curtain rod lets you hang both at once. It expands from 72 to 144 inches to fit most window fixtures, and it’s sturdy enough to support up to 30 pounds. Get it in your choice of gold, black, bronze, and silver finishes.

Curtains and throw pillows are the fastest, most affordable route to a well-designed home, said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs: “They can make a room look ‘finished’ in a single afternoon.” This decorative throw pillow cover adds depth, color, and texture to your space in one fell swoop. It fits lumbar-sized inserts (sold separately) and is made from a combination of cotton and chenille with an invisible zipper.

"The other item I like to get for my clients is a textured throw pillow cover,” said Joanne Loftus, president and owner of Archival Designs. “They are so inexpensive (less than $15 each) and can add so much depth to a room without having to purchase new furniture.” These throw pillow covers come in dozens of solid shades, making them easy to incorporate into your current design. Still, their corduroy texture and hidden zippers make them look plush and pricey.

If you don’t have existing throw pillow inserts or they’ve seen better days, these ones are plush, affordable, and stuffed with high-rebound filling. They’re also extremely well-rated. “I'm a professional designer of tapestries and knitted goods,” wrote one reviewer who called them “comfortable,” “durable,” and “high-quality.” Get them in over a dozen measurements to fit just about any throw pillow cover.