Who doesn't want a chic space that looks perfectly polished?
[dropcap]A[/dropcap] sophisticated vibe doesn’t have to be expensive. Even if your space is fully furnished by Target, Ikea, or thrift store finds, attention to the right details can give your decor an expensive and chic look while staying way inside your budget.
How do you get a luxury look for less? Here are some simple tweaks to help you polish your decor and elevate your space:
01. Featured Florals
Fresh flowers elevate any space and add an elegant and sophisticated vibe. Add a fresh arrangement to your favorite vase when you’re expecting guests or choose a few gorgeous single flowers to feature throughout your space.
Fresh flowers can get pricey, especially if you want a featured floral in your space all the time. You can opt for grocery store bouquets to DIY your own arrangement instead of a pricey professional version.
You can also grab some gorgeous faux florals. Just make sure you’re buying quality products that look real vs the cheaper alternative that can look super fake and cheesy.
Photo by Pier 1 Imports
floral + vase picks under $50:
Photo by Joss & Main
02. Pops of Gold
Nothing says luxury like gold. It adds warmth, texture, and if you do it right, you can achieve this look luxurious look for less. Gold accents are one of the best tweaks to giving your space an expensive feel.
A metallic throw pillow, some new gold knobs on your nightstand, a golden serving tray for your living room ottoman, or even some metallic wallpaper, are all perfect picks for adding a pop of gold.
Faux gold can look cheap if not done right. To get an authentic gold look, stick with smaller gold decor pieces vs big and overstated picks – think lamp bases, mirror frames, vases, trays or bowls vs an entire coffee table or chairs.
If you’re spray painting thrift store finds, start with a dark primer – like a grey basecoat – to give your gold piece more dimension and make your gold really pop.
gorgeous gold picks under $25:
03. Fancy Frames
Frames make your art and photos look finished and polished. They’re also a perfect way to add luxurious pops of gold, great textures or colors, or some simple clean lines via a black and white pick.
You can build a beautiful gallery wall with some DIY artwork and inexpensive frames. If you’re a thrift store lover, most frames can be revised and revamped with a simple coat of metallic spray paint.
Large photos and oversized artwork add an extra luxurious feel and let you place just one piece where you might otherwise need a gallery wall for that big, overstated feel. Print photos in poster size at the drug store for an inexpensive way to get the oversized look.
Photo by Joss & Main
frame picks under $30:
Photo by Wayfair
04. Textured Throws
Throw pillows and blankets give your space a cozy feel as well as adding texture and interest. For a luxurious look, stick with neutral tones like white, cream, gold and beige, and mix different textures and sizes. Layering your pillows and blankets creates depth and dimension which gives an extra cozy luxury feel.
Inexpensive pillows in neutral tones tend to look way more chic than patterns – which can look cheap and not well made. Sticking to a neutral palette means you can mix and match low-budget options for a luxury feel.
You can still add a pop of color with your pillows or throws – just make sure it’s a quality made product and that the pattern conveys the vibe of your space.
pillows + throws under $50:
05. On Trend Trays
Grouping smaller decor items and odds & ends onto a tray help make them cohesive and composed. It keeps things looking intentional and organized instead of scattered and cluttery.
For design on a budget, it’s best to follow trends with smaller and less expensive items while keeping your larger and more pricey pieces classic so that they stay timeless and versatile. You can use trays and groups of smaller decor items to showcase your favorite home decor trends whether they’re colors, patterns, or textures.
Choose a tray that adds texture, interest, or a pop of color then style some smaller decor items like books, candles, a small flower vase, or sculptures with a composition that is balanced – think contrasting and complementary colors, heights, shapes, and textures.
Photo by Joss & Main
chic tray picks under $50:
What do you think? Which decor detail is perfect for elevating your space? Leave a comment below, or use #neverskipbrunch
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cara newhart
I'm Cara, the designer & diy queen behind Never Skip Brunch. I'm a color & prints obsessed DIY queen who's here to help you create a beautifully lived-in life through home design advice and chic DIY tutorials
There are some great tips here. Personally I’m not the biggest fan of gold so I use rose gold or silver instead but it gives a similar effect.
Sweet! I like to encourage buying local plus I enjoy feeling the tangible things. My textured pillows were found at Home Goods (TJ Maxx). We have a huge sectional, so there are two large squares and long rectangle for the corner space. They are soft, comfortable, and lovely.
I love all these tips! The pillows especially seem to help a living room I think.
Xx
Genevieve
So cute! I just love your style! Thanks for sharing.
woowww love the florals!
These are great tips! I am now on the hunt for pops of gold and fancy frames for my home.