Five easy ways to make your home look expensive on a budget!

• Leading carpet retailer, Tapi reveals the five ways homeowners can make their homes look more expensive while spending as little as possible and with minimal effort.  

Making your home look good on a budget is something many Brits are looking to achieve, with searches for ‘cheap home décor’ up by 1,000 in the last month¹.  

And with more people looking to improve their space without having to dig too deep into their pockets, the experts at Tapi have compiled their top tips below on how you can take your home from drab to fab in just a few steps.

 From thrifting to upcycling and finding expensive home décor for cheap, there are plenty of ways you can make your home look amazing for a lot less than you’d think.

1. Rearrange your furniture

• @poetryofdecor
• Product on floor: Vie Symmetry

Moving furniture pieces around your home will instantly change up the aesthetic of your rooms and make it look more expensive without spending a penny. Maximising light instantly makes a space seem bigger, so ensure your furniture doesn’t block the light and move any mirrors in your home to face opposite a window. Room layout is key too. If your rooms have been laid out the same since you moved in, why don’t you mix it up? You could move the positioning of any sofa or chairs, pull your furniture out from your wall, or use any artwork as a focal point. This will create a more interesting, expensive looking space without spending a penny.

2. Choose minimalist décor

• @thebeigereno
• Product on floor: Ravello – Sauvage

Expensive homes tend to focus on minimal décor with statement pieces, such as a decorated vase or a large piece of artwork – and it doesn’t have to cost the earth. Use what you already have and get rid of any decorative items that either don’t match your home or simply that you don’t like any more. Utilise houseplants and flowers as these instantly make a home look full of life and bring brightness to the space. Another top tip to make a space seem updated and more expensive is to replace any old cushions on your sofa or bed. A new cushion won’t set you back much, but it will instantly transform the space. Choose neutral colours in linen or velvet fabrics for that luxe look. Lighting candles (real or electric!) can also make your space feel richer.

3. Go second-hand shopping for new pieces

If you need to invest in some new pieces in your home, then take yourself down to your local second-hand furniture shop or charity shop to search through the bargains you can find there. You may be surprised at the treasures you can find, from lampshades to dishware and even lighting that is antique or vintage and elevates the effect of your rooms. The best part? It’s sustainable and cheaper than buying brand new.

4. Declutter your home

• @thegranitecityhome
• Product on floor: Mackay – Sand Dune

One of the biggest changes you can make to your home to make it look more expensive is to get rid of clutter – and this is something you can do for free! An opportunity to get rid of all the clutter that is taking over your living room/kitchen/bedroom and strip your rooms back to minimal décor is one of the easiest ways to make your home look more expensive. You don’t need to get rid of it all either – store pieces you can’t bear to part with in your loft or garage if you can.

5. Get your flooring right

• @hrrenovation
• Product on stair runner: Cadiz – Smoke Rib

If you want to upgrade your flooring but don’t want to shell out for real wood flooring or stone tiles (these can be expensive) you can opt instead for laminate, vinyl, luxury vinyl tiles or engineered wood. These floorings can recreate the look and feel of organic materials but with sturdy backings and scratch-resistance topcoats.  Herringbone flooring also looks incredibly expensive and comes in cost-effective options such as vinyl and luxury vinyl. Stair runners also give the feel of an expensive and impactful hallway and can be adapted to suit your budget.

Want another top flooring hack? You can paint over existing laminate flooring in your home. It’s important to note that laminate is a wood-based floor, which means that you need to take similar care and steps as you would with wood, and the just-painted look of laminate flooring won’t last for long, as it can become scratched and worn quickly – especially in high footfall areas. But, done right it can be an inexpensive option to vamp up your space and make it look more expensive.

Commenting on the research, “Johanna Constantinou, Brand and Communications Director at Tapi, says: “Many Brits are looking for ways to cut down on their spends without compromising on things that give them joy, and that’s why we pulled together these top tips to make your home look expensive on minimal budget. We hope these provide help and inspiration for anyone looking to vamp up their space without it costing the earth.”

For more information on choosing the best flooring to reduce energy bills, please visit: https://www.tapi.co.uk/the-ideas-hub/style-inspiration/flooring-to-reduce-your-bills