Everybody wants their home to look lush and beautiful, but if you (like everyone not a billionaire) are on a budget, then you’re probably not planning on hiring a decorator to redo your design in the new year. But, a couple long years of a pandemic have worn upon America’s collective souls, and it’s time to update your decorations. You want something which gives the luxurious warmth your family and friends want to relax into, but also the simplistic modern design which is itself relaxing. How can you make your simple home look luxurious?
Use Metal in Your Design
Metallics do not, of course, make luxury in and of themselves, but add an antique element to your spaces. Try metal tiles in your kitchen backsplash or add shine in bathroom hooks. Humans are genetically programmed to search for shiny things because water has that sheen, which leads to both the love of metals of all kinds and the love of other shiny items like gemstones and glass. Whether hammered bronze or copper, which are both on trend, or an aluminum industrial element, adding in metallics can create a luxury feel to your space.
Paint With Neutral Colors
Neutrals are so much more than white and cream! Almost every color has a neutral-edged counterpart on the color wheel, which can help make any color you love into a neutral if you can figure out what to add to create the usable neutral you need. Reds, greens, and blues also have neutral variations. This gives you the chance to choose options which fit your own taste, but which are neutral in texture. Bold colors tend to visibly distract from your décor items in a room. But in contrast, neutrals give you the chance to have both rich wall color, and also the gentle colors which enhance and bring out every treasured item and picture.
Add a Pool
While you might not want an Olympic-sized pool in your yard, the addition of a pool can add a great deal of luxury to your property. If your lot is oddly shaped, or it’s difficult to access the backyard, don’t despair! Concrete pump trucks can easily reach over your fence and other obstacles on your property. This gives you the freedom of being able to add in both luxury and functionality to your yard. Make sure to budget in the safety aspects which will make sure that both children and others will be protected when not in use.
Use an Anchor Piece
When purchasing furniture, it can be tempting to go through a series of cheap pieces, all of which both feel cheap when using them, and also break down easily. The reason that vintage classics stay both classic and vintage is that they have withstood the test of time. Look for a piece which is both well made, heavy, and which can likewise become vintage. Design around such, and your home will have some pieces which can continue to add luxury over time.
Plants
What lends both luxury and oxygen to a space? Your plants need not be the more trendy, nor expensive in order to be useful to you in creating the luxurious look you crave. Try groupings of similar types of plants together in similarly styled pots, so as to have variance of texture but a rich, monochromatic look. Look for those plants which are easy to care for, in varying heights. The bonus of using plants is that you get an extra boost of oxygen and calm by using them in your spaces!
Lighting
While you’re adding metal into a space, one easy way to add both it and luxury is to change out your lighting! There are gorgeous options for adding a sculptural piece which can both make your space look luxurious without adding clutter, and also help lower the ceiling to only slightly above your viewpoint. Many modern homes have tall ceilings, particularly in living rooms and entryways, and the lighting left by contractors are generally not conducive to adding luxury! When you search for lighting, look for pieces which will add the modern feel while also offering classic design. You want something which your family can use for decades, and the next owners of the home will beg you to leave for their enjoyment.
Minimalize
Nothing says luxury like a lack of, well, mess. If your budget is strained and you want to make it possible to have a modern feel to your home, remember—less is more! Designers work hard to create a visual continuity in luxury homes by using neutral colors on walls and furnishings such as desks or bookcases, which then blend visually into the wall space. Items on shelving should be minimized, and collections placed together so that they can be more congruous.
It can be complicated if you like to collect several types of items. Try grouping them together. As always, go through things like books, toys, blankets, knick knacks, and other items often. Collect things that you no longer use or love to give away and bless other families. By removing things that are no longer useful to you in your home, you give the option of bringing in décor items which you do indeed adore and will use happily. By removing those things which are extras- extra frames, extra books, extra furnishings—you can create a space which is peaceful to the eye, which automatically makes it more welcoming to guests.
Luxury can be less expensive than you think! By removing items which you no longer use, you are freeing up space where you can enjoy your design, and having more space is perhaps the most useful and luxurious hack of all! Make sure your lighting is both bright and beautiful. Add in your plants and an anchor piece, while considering how nice a pool would be next summer. Look for those subtle sheens, both in your metallics and the warm neutrals which can make your room glow!
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