I’ve just bought my very first home, and the decorating possibilities are endless! I know you girls understand the struggle of decorating on a budget. I mean, when you’re a twenty-something first-time buyer, you don’t really have an endless budget, and even if you’re renting, you need to save those pennies for important things (like bills!).
For me, decorating is all about expressing yourself. I love those cool talking pieces that make people envious of what you’ve done with the space. Want to make your home look seriously high-end without spending much? I’ve got your back…
1. Make it metallic
Metallic items are a trend, think copper and rose gold, for example. You should beware of getting in too many pieces that might go out of style. But I’d recommend using gold and copper because the right items can make a room look very modern and stylish (read: expensive). You can use metallic items to offset your white kitchen, bring gold into the blue bathroom, or even get a copper lamp or two in your pink bedroom. See what I mean? It creates a nice juxtaposition and will catch any guests eye.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677634″]
Brass task lamp ($29) available here, Elephant bookends ($40) available here, Live Trends copper mini succulent ($8) available here.
2. Let your walls do the talking
Abstract always looks expensive. Modern art isn’t to everybody’s taste, but it does get people talking, and if you choose a large piece with tones that you already have in your home, you’ll be taking it to the next level. I know what you’re thinking, the price tag on a huge piece of abstract art might be even more than what you pay for rent.
But I’ve discovered an inexpensive way to decorate your walls, all you need to do is buy digital prints of abstract art (some sellers on Etsy sell prints for this very purpose!), get them blown up by a poster shop and then frame them. These prints don’t break $10, which is incredible!
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677930″]
Printable Abstract Art ($11) available here, Printable abstract art ($7) available here, Printable abstract art ($9) available here.
3. Use plants to make space more vibrant
Honestly, there is nothing like a good plant or succulent to upgrade a space. The right plants can make it look like you’ve taken the time to plan out every room and spent money on your floral decor. When it comes to making your home look expensive, you’ve got a few options. A touch of green every so often looks fresh and bright, but you don’t have to buy plants that will die within a week – you can also get a good mix of faux plants that look realistic.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677663″]
Artificial Succulent ($14) available here, Triangular hanger planter ($18) available here, Umbra Trigg planter ($32) available here.
4. Go appropriately ornamental
Look at the photo above, that room looks super expensive. It’s a mixture of colors, like royal blue, the positioning of furniture and artwork, and the build of the room. Mixing large objects with small ornaments gives the room depth, but it’s all about the objects you choose. For instance, glass vases, eclectic accents, and small ornaments really pull a room together.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677716″]
Eightmood Bora Vase ($16) available here, Large Glass Vase ($25) available here, Small Glass vase ($5) available here.
5. Be careful with your cushions
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy lots of cushions – I’m just saying that you should be careful about the materials, patterns, and shapes you choose. If you choose a tricky shaped cushion, it can be difficult to change the cover on it. There are some materials and especially patterns that can cheapen up a room, so it’s best to stick with solid colors and fabrics. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with faux fur and velvet, but there are some amazing knitted cushions that look super expensive, too.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677752″]
Velvet Cushion Cover Green ($10) available here, Black Pillow, Animal Print ($8) available here, Velvet Cushion Cover Pink ($10) available here.
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I’ve just bought my very first home, and the decorating possibilities are endless! I know you girls understand the struggle of decorating on a budget. I mean, when you’re a twenty-something first-time buyer, you don’t really have an endless budget, and even if you’re renting, you need to save those pennies for important things (like bills!).
For me, decorating is all about expressing yourself. I love those cool talking pieces that make people envious of what you’ve done with the space. Want to make your home look seriously high-end without spending much? I’ve got your back…
1. Make it metallic
Metallic items are a trend, think copper and rose gold, for example. You should beware of getting in too many pieces that might go out of style. But I’d recommend using gold and copper because the right items can make a room look very modern and stylish (read: expensive). You can use metallic items to offset your white kitchen, bring gold into the blue bathroom, or even get a copper lamp or two in your pink bedroom. See what I mean? It creates a nice juxtaposition and will catch any guests eye.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677634″]
Brass task lamp ($29) available here, Elephant bookends ($40) available here, Live Trends copper mini succulent ($8) available here.
2. Let your walls do the talking
Abstract always looks expensive. Modern art isn’t to everybody’s taste, but it does get people talking, and if you choose a large piece with tones that you already have in your home, you’ll be taking it to the next level. I know what you’re thinking, the price tag on a huge piece of abstract art might be even more than what you pay for rent.
But I’ve discovered an inexpensive way to decorate your walls, all you need to do is buy digital prints of abstract art (some sellers on Etsy sell prints for this very purpose!), get them blown up by a poster shop and then frame them. These prints don’t break $10, which is incredible!
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677930″]
Printable Abstract Art ($11) available here, Printable abstract art ($7) available here, Printable abstract art ($9) available here.
3. Use plants to make space more vibrant
Honestly, there is nothing like a good plant or succulent to upgrade a space. The right plants can make it look like you’ve taken the time to plan out every room and spent money on your floral decor. When it comes to making your home look expensive, you’ve got a few options. A touch of green every so often looks fresh and bright, but you don’t have to buy plants that will die within a week – you can also get a good mix of faux plants that look realistic.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677663″]
Artificial Succulent ($14) available here, Triangular hanger planter ($18) available here, Umbra Trigg planter ($32) available here.
4. Go appropriately ornamental
Look at the photo above, that room looks super expensive. It’s a mixture of colors, like royal blue, the positioning of furniture and artwork, and the build of the room. Mixing large objects with small ornaments gives the room depth, but it’s all about the objects you choose. For instance, glass vases, eclectic accents, and small ornaments really pull a room together.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677716″]
Eightmood Bora Vase ($16) available here, Large Glass Vase ($25) available here, Small Glass vase ($5) available here.
5. Be careful with your cushions
Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy lots of cushions – I’m just saying that you should be careful about the materials, patterns, and shapes you choose. If you choose a tricky shaped cushion, it can be difficult to change the cover on it. There are some materials and especially patterns that can cheapen up a room, so it’s best to stick with solid colors and fabrics. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with faux fur and velvet, but there are some amazing knitted cushions that look super expensive, too.
[show_shopthepost_widget id=”2677752″]
These are great tips! Love the idea of using metallic items :D
trulyfionaa.blogspot.com
Plants are such a good way to spruce up a space! x
Rabeyah (@rabeyahn)
https://byrabeyah.blogspot.com
Love the metallic items, you’re right they are so inexpensive!
daringtojess.wordpress.com
I had never thought of the abstract art idea, I’m going to give it a try! I need a print for my new office. Thanks for the tips!
amandapalecek.com
i love these
https://alotoftolablog.blogspot.com/
Hi, I read this post a couple of days ago and it has been nagging me ever since…your suggestion to take a print of abstract art to a copy/poster shop and have it blown up is actually copyright infringement ;( Please don’t suggest it to your readers. As an artist myself, I would suggest you find an artist who is reproducing the art at the size you would like it and purchase it avoiding breaking any copyright laws. The only person who can alter the image (even size wise) is the artist and most copy place won’t take the job. If you cannot find one in your desired size, this is a perfect opportunity to test your curation skills and by several smaller abstracts and create a gallery wall or your own!
Hi Monica,
I agree with you – check with the artist first, but in this instance the artist I’ve recommended sells his digital artwork for that very purpose and even gives his blessing to take them to a copy shop. He sells super affordable digital abstract prints online for his customers to print at the sizes they want, and I think that’s great for people who can’t necessarily afford a huge abstract piece. Maybe I should have made it clearer that it’s always nice to check with the artist and if they do not allow this kind of reproduction, it definitely isn’t the right thing to do! :) Thanks for the comment, great to hear from your perspective x