Introduction to Affordable Luxury
Hey there. Welcome to my channel and my home. My name is Sky Garden London, and today I want to talk about affordable ways to make your home feel a little more luxurious with decor. The whole point of decorating our space is creating a home we love to be in. No, you do not need to make significant renovation changes or alterations to your space to make it feel elevated or well-designed. You need a few tips and intentional changes to make a substantial impact. So, today I am sharing my best tips on how to make your home look more high-end without breaking the bank. So, let’s get into it.
Tips to Make Your Home Look Expensive on a Budget
1. Upgrade Your Lighting
One of the most impactful ways to elevate your home is by updating your lighting. Thoughtful lighting not only enhances the ambience of your space, but it can also introduce a more sophisticated aesthetic. Designers always layer their lighting in spaces to get that polished, finished look that we all tend to love in a space. You can swap out the fixtures in your home if you’d like, but honestly, you can get a much more elevated look by intentionally adding accent lighting around your space.
I like to start with lamps in all different sizes. You’ll notice in this space, even in just this frame right now, I have a floor lamp next to two table lamps. I have a lot of natural lighting in this space during the daytime, but I want that warm, cosy feel at night. Having multiple lamps in one space not only gives the space interest during the day in terms of decor, but also brings in that great lighting in the evening. I like to opt for table and floor lamps in various sizes with textured shades or maybe a metallic base for a more polished look.
Another thing that designers know about floor lamps is that they don’t just bring in lighting. They also add depth, dimension, and height to your space that you may not have in lighting placement. I also think adding sconces is a great way to add lighting to your space. They not only bring in that extra layer of light but also add an element of design. I just recently added some sconces to my bedroom above my bed.
I also have two table lamps on the side tables. All of those lights complement each other. It has made the space feel so much more peaceful and warm, especially in the evenings when I get in bed to read a book. I love it in there.
Consider adding picture lighting above if you have some great art in your home or family photos on the walls. Not only does it highlight those beautiful art pieces or sentimental images that you have, but it also gives your home a more gallery-like feel. I could probably do an entire video on lighting, but I’ll save that for another day.
I’ll leave you with one more of my favourite lighting techniques: uplifting your plants in your home. Whether you want to add that to the planter or maybe just in front of a large plant, I think it adds that great light layer, especially in the evenings. Next time you’re in one of your favourite hotels or restaurants, notice the greenery in the space. They probably have great uplighting on their greenery, which you may not have seen before.
Wayfair Lighting Sale (Sponsor Segment)
My favourite place to source lighting for my home is Wayfair. I have found so many of my favourite lamps, sconces, and picture lighting on wayfair.com, and they have one of the best sales they have ever had. It is their Memorial Day sale. It’s going through the 27th, and you’ve got up to 70% off. This is one of those sales that I never miss. So, I wanted to share it here with you today and say a quick thank you to Wayfair for sponsoring this article.
So many of my favourite pieces in my home are from Wayfair. Some of them are over a decade old, and a lot of them I purchased when Wayfair was having one of its incredible sales. Not only are the savings significant on this sale—up to 70% is fantastic—but they also offer fast and free shipping over $35, one of the best times of year to shop Wayfair. So, I will have a few of my favourite products linked in this article, but I wanted to let you know that the sale was going on through the 27th. So, check it out.
2. Layer Textures and Materials
When it comes to bringing a little bit of luxury into your space, I think the textures and materials in a space aren’t given enough attention. Layering is key when you’re going for a more well-designed and curated look. Mixing metals and ceramics with natural materials like wood and stone is a great way to add depth and interest to any space.
Think about the pieces you already have in your home. Maybe you have a great wooden side table. Adding a marble tray or a ceramic vase to that wooden piece adds texture and sophistication, making your space feel more stylish.
So when I’m styling a different space in my home, or maybe I’m redoing a vignette, like I often do on this table that you see behind me, I’m always thinking about creating collected contrast. Using pieces that vary in texture but still complement one another and fit into your colour palette brings interest and variation that looks intentional.
3. Balance Sophistication and Comfort
I think a lot of the time, what we’re craving when trying to elevate our space is an elevated space that’s also livable. Luxury does not mean that your space feels unapproachable. It’s the opposite. It’s a space that feels elevated but comfortable.
I think one aesthetic that perfectly balances sophistication and comfort is the Nancy Meyers style, which has been widely talked about for several years on social media. Her aesthetic has become popular in the past few years because of her ability to capture sentimentality and comfort in upscale design. Her spaces always feel beautiful and elevated, but in a very livable, approachable way.
I know I always want to capture that in my home, and I think you can do it with decor. You just have to know what pieces to add where. Essentially, achieving this balance in your own home means thinking beyond the aesthetic and considering how a room actually feels lived in. So, incorporate elements that invite relaxation and use materials that are tactile and comforting.
So, think natural linens, vintage accents, and pieces that tell a story. But if you look at one of those sets, you’ll notice high-end textured materials and fabrics coupled with traditional furniture and almost perfectly imperfect things. She has things around that look used, and the space looks lived in. Subtle imperfections and personal touches like a stack of well-loved books, a wrinkled linen throw, or mismatched kitchen ceramics give the space character and make it feel like a real home.
So, don’t be afraid to use pieces you already have in your home to elevate your look. You probably have some of those already around. You need to style them more intentionally, and I think it would give you a look you love.
4. Choose the Right Rug
Okay, next I want to talk about rugs. I feel like the rugs we add to our spaces are often underestimated. It’s something we all think about doing. We think, “Sure, yeah, I’m going to get a rug.” But there are a few things that you should consider and keep in mind before purchasing a rug for your space.
The rug you choose can either elevate or make your space look a little worse. A well-chosen rug anchors a room, adds texture, and enhances the sense of cohesiveness that makes a space feel more upscale—just as much as the wrong size or type of rug can have the opposite effect.
So, how do you choose the right rug for your space? One is the pattern or texture of a carpet. Pattern and texture can bring a lot of depth and dimension to your space. That rug is your anchor to the room. Bringing in that texture can bring in warmth and cosiness. Adding a pattern can elevate the space’s look and style as well.
I also think choosing a size slightly larger than you might typically select can make the room feel more expansive and thoughtfully designed. I like to swap out my rugs throughout the seasons. I know I’m a crazy decorating lady. It is what it is. I have a small collection of rugs that change the look and feel of the space depending on the time of year, and I love that.
And because I do that, yes, I have some investment pieces and some antique rugs, but most of my rug collection for my living area, where I swap them out, are very affordable. Most of them are from Wayfair. The two I currently have in my living room are great Wayfair finds. So, I’ll have those linked. I like shopping on Wayfair because you can find a rug that fits your price range. You can find something that is inexpensive but of very excellent quality. So, they’re usually my go-to for rugs as well.
5. Use Pillows and Throws Strategically
Pillows and throws are such an easy way to change up the look of your space, especially with the seasons. My go-to tip for making them look luxe is to vary size and shape. I like to opt for oversized throws when I can.
I have this great crochet piece on one of my sofas that is technically not a throw. It’s an antique crochet that one of my mom’s friends gave me. It is oversized, and I just love draping it across the sofa. It really adds interest to the space that I don’t think it would have otherwise. I love to layer throws with it all the time. You’ll notice throughout the seasons that I’m always layering a different throw with that crochet piece.
Don’t be afraid to go oversized, especially with anchor pillows. Pillows like this are tons of shows, and I always keep them on my chairs and sofas in the living room. They are 20×20 inserts. These are down, but you can get down alternatives if you have allergies. Mine are from Wayfair again, and I keep pillowcases the same colour as my furniture down here. They did not come with this furniture, but they look very intentional, which I like.
I say vary your pillow sizes. Mixing the 20×20 with 18 is a great way to do that. And I also love pillow covers because storing seasonal pillows can consume a lot of valuable storage space in your home. So, I always opt for a few quality inserts in varying sizes, and then I will get pillow covers in different patterns and textures to swap out with the seasons when I want to.
6. Invest in Quality Window Treatments
Okay, if you find any of the tips helpful in this article, I hope the next one is one of them: never underestimate the power of window treatments in your home. Window treatments, such as curtains, change the look of your space. And if you know what you’re doing and what to look for, you can find window treatments that look beautiful and professionally done for a fraction of the price.
When I purchased my home a little over seven years ago, the windows downstairs were one of my most significant selling points. They offer so much natural lighting. They’re beautiful, but they are also huge. When I moved in, you could see straight in from the outside before there were window treatments, especially at night. So, I knew I needed window treatments very quickly.
I was going to go with a professional service. I just want to tell you that I priced it out with three different companies. And I’m just going to leave you with this: The lowest quote that I got was five figures for the house, which is great if that’s in your budget. I personally didn’t want to spend that much on curtains and drapes because I’m also fickle and like to change things up from time to time.
I decided to do it myself. I used double curtain rods throughout my downstairs to layer my linen curtains with my shears. That way, I can open these like you see here during the day and let natural light in, and then I can close them for privacy at night. Using that double curtain rod is helpful. They have some great options on Wayfair. I’ll link them here in this article.
One thing that is often overlooked, but essential, is to take your drapes from floor to ceiling if you can. Now, down here, I do have beams that run across my living room. So, all of these curtains that you see in my living room in my articles and the ones behind me are, I believe, 96 in. I’ve taken them to the beams. Then, the ones in my breakfast area that I get asked about very often are 120 in. And I’ve taken them from floor to ceiling because I always want to bring height to the room.
I never want to shrink or cut the room in half with my curtain rods. Oftentimes, when we hang our curtains too low or if they don’t go entirely to the ground, they give a look that just doesn’t say designer, and they don’t complement your space the way ones that appropriately fit your space will. So, take your measurements and go from floor to ceiling. It also opens up your windows and makes them appear larger.
Even if you have smaller windows, you’re giving an illusion when removing the curtains. And if you have a big space between, let’s say, the top of your window and your curtain rod, I understand you’re like, “I don’t like the way that space looks.” Another great trick is to use a Roman shade behind that. Bring it down over that wall, right to the edge of that window, and it’ll give that illusion that your window goes all the way up.
7. Incorporate Statement Art
The next thing I want to mention is statement art. Statement art instantly makes a room feel more sophisticated. When I can, I love to go with large, bold pieces that fit the scale of my wall or space. I think it just adds so much personality. This is an excellent opportunity to inject some colour and re into a space or even accentuate those neutral tones.
I recently found this incredible piece on Wayfair and bought it during one of their sales. I love this piece so much because it reminds me of the Texas Hill Country. I feel like I’m bringing a little bit of that outside into my house. It’s such a great thing to see every time I go up the stairs. However, abstract prints, architectural sketches, or bold colour blocks can become focal points while complementing the overall design scheme.
8. Add Greenery
I cannot leave a decorating article without talking about greenery for aminua maaether e because it adds to the room, so to speak, especially if it’s real, if you have a green thumb. I don’t. Most of the plants I use inside are faux.
I do have one orchid. She’s old, very loved, and I’m proud of her. She’s my plant baby. But other than that, I like to bring in that life and that greenery with faux plants. The ones I get asked about the most are probably my cherry blossom trees. They have my exact cherry blossom trees on Wayfair, so I’ll have them linked here.
But I also really love a good olive tree. If you’re thinking about adding a big tree to your space and don’t know where to start, I suggest going with an olive tree. It’s versatile. You can move it around your house if you get tired of it in one space. I have moved my faux trees all over the house. I also have an article dedicated to faux florals about how to style them and where to source them. So, I’ll link that article below, too.
9. Use Statement Mirrors
If you asked me to choose just one piece of decor, one element that I could place into a room to really transform it, elevate it, and make it feel more luxurious, I would choose a well-placed statement mirror. Mirrors are not only functional, but they are also a fantastic way to make your space feel larger and bring more light in.
I have this antique mirror here from my great aunt. I get asked about it often. I wish I had a resource, but unfortunately, I don’t. It’s a family heirloom. This mirror is the one piece in the room that elevates this space and makes it look more designer.
Placing a mirror across from a window, or, like I have here in a room full of windows, really reflects that natural light and just brings it in. It is so beautiful in here. The sun sets on this side of the house, and when it comes through the windows and reflects off the mirror, it is just really great natural lighting in this space. So, never underestimate the power of a great mirror.
10. Add Personal Touches
My last and final tip for this article is not to forget that your personal touch can often make the most significant impact on your space. I will always believe that a truly well-curated space feels uniquely individual to the person there.
Having pieces in your home that not only hold memories for you but also for your family members, whether they live with you or they’re visiting, is just so incredibly special when they come into the space. Displaying family photos, mementoes, or meaningful objects makes things look polished yet personal.
It’s not just about creating a beautiful space but also one that is functional, inviting, and, in many ways, deeply personal. So, don’t be afraid to bring those things that you love into your space because if you love what’s in it, you’re probably going to love your space, too.
Closing Thoughts
That is it for today’s article. Thank you so much for hanging out with me here on the website. I hope these tips have inspired you to create a space that feels luxurious and elevated without breaking the bank. You’ll have to let me know if you enjoyed it in the comments below. I will see you again very soon in the following article. Until I do, take care and happy decorating.
