Ways To Make Your Home Look More Expensive

When considering ways to make your home look more expensive, I’m not referring to the kind of expensive that is gold leaf accents or intricate carvings. I’m talking about making subtle changes to elevate your home decor, making it appear higher end than it actually is. Instead of jumping to the conclusion that the only way to have a custom-looking house is to truly have custom/high end finishes, take these ideas into consideration. Read on for a few ways to make your home look more expensive than it is.

Mix Metals

Most homes are built using one main metal finish that is selected for hardware, plumbing, lighting and more. One way to elevate your decor and customize your house at the same time is to incorporate another finish or two. For example, the mixture of polished nickel and antique brass in a master bathroom is gorgeous and thoughtful. You can start mixing by keeping “product categories” separate – like using polished nickel finish on the plumbing and brass finish on the lighting/hardware. Mixing metals within your home also provides distinction between spaces and a more tailored design.

Photo sources: left, center, right

Appropriately Scaled and Unique Lighting

Another possible characteristic of non-custom homes is basic lighting that is too small and hung too high. Swapping out your light fixtures is a quick way to make your space feel more custom and therefore, more expensive. When selecting new light fixtures, consider styles that are the correct scale and are more unique. Bathroom sconces and kitchen pendants are often hung too high. Bathroom sconces are meant to light up your face, so have them installed at a height where they could function well. Pendants work well when the bottom of the pendant is about 30-36″ from the countertop.

P.S. For a higher end look in bathrooms, install a wall sconce on either side of the mirror rather than having a single vanity light above the mirror.

Photo sources: left, center, right

Install Wall and Ceiling Treatments

The most common wall and ceiling finish is paint – for so many great reasons. But that’s not to say that mixing it up a little wouldn’t also have its benefits! Getting more creative on your walls and ceilings will impress your guests and result in a sophisticated look. Some suggestions for wall and ceiling treatments are wallpaper, wall molding, murals, tile, and wood. Wondering about the types of wallpaper that you can choose from? Read this post.