Budget
June 13, 2022
75+ Things That Make Regular Rooms Look Luxe
Rich materials, bold art, striking architecture… high-end design has a way of grabbing our attention — and keeping it. So why not channel an opulent spirit in your own home? Though some spaces are blessed with great architectural elements, abundant millwork and natural light, adding the elements listed in this gallery will elevate a home and make a big impact. Here are 75+ ways to bring a luxurious look to your home, from investment buys to smart reno tips. Take your pick to make your home look a little bit richer — and a lot more memorable.
Scroll down to get inspiration for your own home!
Add An Upholstered Headboard
When you go big on your headboard, bedroom accessories like bedding and other touches don’t need to speak as loudly. A bold, blue headboard pulls this room together and adds major wow-factor.
Flank Doorways With Symmetrical Seating
Placing formal armchairs and art at the entrance of a sitting room will undoubtably give your space an elevated feel. Here, the art blends into the cream colored walls and gives the area a bit of texture, while the chairs offer a regal disposition.
Leave The Hardware Behind
Streamlined cabinets without any hardware make this kitchen look sleek and sophisticated. The cabinets soar to the ceiling, adding to the grand aesthetic.
Consider Arched Doorways
This on-trend design move will bring a timeless elegance to any space. In this home, arched bedroom doorways bring a European feel to the upstairs hallway.
Find Sofas In Unexpected Hues
Light pink-toned mohair sofas are soft enough that they are able to act as both a neutral and an attention grabbing hue in this living room. “I steer away from one look, or having everything from one store,” says designer Rosie Daykin. “I have to have that mixture — varying ages and histories of things.”
Choose A Dramatic Fireplace Stone
Instead of a mantel, opt for a chic slab that runs seamlessly from the floor to the ceiling. Adding in cut outs for your TV and fireplace will up the wow-factor.
Design Monochromatic Spaces
In this traditional dining room, lilac-hued drapes and cabinets blend into the similarly-hued walls, where wainscotting finishes off the luxe look.
Pair Opulent With Understated
Pick one or two spots to go big in a room, and simplify the rest. This dining room gets its drama from ethereal wallpaper, an antique-style chandelier and brass tapered candles. The rest of the room is quite simple with grey dining chairs, a black dining dining wood hutch and white accents.
Go Big (and Brass)
A brass vent hood and sink faucet acts as jewelry in this all white space.
Match Your Backsplash With Your Counters
Veined marble or quartz is quite a luxe look in general, but you can take it to the next level by matching your counters to your backsplash, making it all one seamless space.
Antiques In Unexpected Spaces
Instead of a built-in primping station in this Charleston bathroom, an antique vanity and chair are right at home. Inexpensive pieces found in thrift shops and antique malls can be given a new coat of paint and upholstery to mimic the airy Scandinavian look of these items.
Hand-Painted Wall
Help out a local artist by hiring them or create a DIY mural for a one-of-kind effect. This custom, hand-painted mural by Dana Mooney creates dimension, adding color and life to the white walls of this West Coast bedroom. Another benefit: you can handpick the colors you want to incorporate.
Polished Silver
Upgrade your home in an hour with a little spit and polish. Sparkling silver reflects the light and makes everything around it look elegant. In this holiday bar, a perfectly polished ice bucket, tongs and martini shakers looks especially festive.
Black Mullions
No budget for steel or iron? Mimic the look by painting the mullions black for a DIY steal. Graphic black panes give an instant Brooklyn brownstone vibe.
A Well-Dressed Bed
A coverlet, a carefully folded throw, lovely linens and patterned pillows that echo the upholstered headboard all add up to a symphony of calm in this bedroom owned by hotelier Christiane Germain. If you want to get a similarly high-end boutique hotel look, choose white linens and layer in textural touches.
Wallpaper Wall
No budget to wallpaper a whole room in your favorite high-end design? This space proves that one wall is all it takes to pack all the necessary impact and elevate a niche.
Oversized Floral Arrangement
Big flower bouquets typically spell big bucks, but not everything has to come up roses. In this country home, a collection of apple tree branches complete with fruit has big-time scale and autumnal charm.
Lush Drapes
Skimpy panels can’t confer the sense of subtle opulence of ripple fold drapery (if getting your own drapes sewn or DIYing it, use at least 2 1/2 times the width of the window). The result looks rich and polished!
Pairs
These antique black and white ginger jars were a real find because they’re a pair, which confers added cachet because pairs of objects are harder to find when antiquing, according to Tommy Smythe. The next time you see a matched set, grab them: creating symmetry is a well-loved designer trick to make things look upscale.
Curated Collection
On open shelving, this collection of tonal pottery is poetic and personal. Don’t let displays get overrun by tchotchkes: choose fewer pieces that have space to “breathe” and get extra points for grouping items together visually with a consistent color theme.
Jewel-Toned Sofa
In case you missed it, the hottest hues of the moment are jewel tones, and we’re swathing everything from our walls to our furniture in emerald, amethyst and amber.
DIY Millwork
Instead of adding a piece of artwork above the bed, try a statement millwork piece behind the headboard instead. Designer Carmeon Hamilton painted a rectangular shape on the wall in Behr’s North Woods and attached long and short pieces of wood overtop to make the bed really pop.
Vintage Mirror
Ornate, gilded and glamorous all come to mind when we think of the must-have mirrors for 2020. Look for these pieces in antique shops or flea markets — the grander, the better.
Artful Furniture
Take a page from this glam penthouse living room: a Zanotta sofa, leather sling chair and powder coated aluminum stools in blush pink and silver by Hervé Van der Straeten all add softness with their curvaceous shapes, making the space feel anything but cookie-cutter.
Regal Purple
There is something so elegant and luxurious about the color purple — and it’s surprisingly soothing in the bedroom. “I always wanted a bedroom wall with patterned fabric or brightly colored paint — not boring beige,” says the owner of this cheerful condo, whose wish came true with panels of velvet lavender fabric.
Patinated Tub
We love a sleek white bathtub as much as the next person, but when we laid eyes on this elegant Italian-made piece, we knew patinated marble was the new look of luxury in bathroom design. Pair with wooden accents to ground the look.
Color-Coded Bookshelves
Looking for an easy update with maximum impact? Organize your book spines by color.
Closet Lighting
It may seem small, but adding integrated lights to a walk-in closet takes it from “meh” to marvellous. Lighting acts as a spotlight to showcase an enviable shoe collection or the latest season’s wardrobe must-haves.
Swinging Chair
Elevate an empty corner in the bedroom with a hanging bubble chair — perfect for adults and kids alike. “It’s a great chair; it’s very playful,” says homeowner and hotelier Christiane Germain. The see-through material and silver detailing makes it feel modern, not juvenile.
Sliding Door
A modern take on the popular barn door is a savvy way to maximize space and style. This custom version was inspired by Moroccan-style sliding doors and adds plenty of privacy for the guest bedroom.
Curvaceous Mirror
Designer Katherine Newman knows how to turn any corner into a design moment — even a compact vestibule on the 65th floor of Toronto’s Shangri-La Residences. An oversized mirror and dramatic branches show off the apartment’s high ceilings.
Open Shelving
Display your curated collection of cookware, ceramics and design accessories with clean-lined shelves in a bold black.
Standout Rug
Think of it as artwork for your floor. This contemporary rug by Caitlin Wilson looks like an antique find, and it pulls the room together, injecting life and personality into the space.
Picture Lights
The art in this West Coast condo is well curated, but not all of it comes with a hefty price tag (one piece is by the owner’s teenage daughter). What makes it feel luxe is the way the art is elevated with beautiful picture lighting, meant to enhance the gallery-like atmosphere. Bonus: it looks gorgeous at night too.
Oversized Lighting
Understated pendants and halogen pucks can never hope to pack the punch of a generously scaled fixture. For added impact, think in multiples. In this dramatic dining room, a trio of pendants is balanced by airy glass shades, so they don’t appear heavy.
Custom Tile
Not every tile has to be real stone to look expensive. In this case, designer Sarah Richardson had three kinds of budget-friendly square tiles from a big-box store, which were cut in half and then installed in a diamond pattern. The resulting pattern looks incredibly fancy in this condo foyer.
Symmetry
There’s a sense of order and calmness that comes from using mirroring elements to create a symmetrical balance. Twin benches, consoles and sconces help frame a stunning staircase.
Sculptural Chair
Elevate a home office with a chair that doubles as modern art. This sleek version looks anything but workaday, and along with a lavender desk, it is a welcome addition to any room of the house.
Tape Details
Adding tape — like this Greek key design or grosgrain ribbon — to drapery is a well-loved designer trick. The materials aren’t expensive, and it adds a polished look to window treatments.
White Walls
There’s no denying that the impact of white walls has been used by high-end retailers (and art galleries) for years. It puts the focus on the objects inside, makes rooms seem larger and more curated and doesn’t cost more than a few gallons of paint.
Freestanding Tub
This fixture has dropped in price dramatically in recent years, making them much more accessible. This tub stands head and shoulders above a basic alcove tub, so if there is space, take the plunge. Sculptural tubs will make the bathroom look spa-like and refined.
Statement Plant
The fiddle leaf fig has been the darling of the design world — and with good reason. The sculptural shape creates major impact — especially when potted in a standout planter — but it’s the scale that makes this tree look expensive.
Fully Tiled Walls
Opting for an entirely tiled wall instead of a traditional backsplash ups the luxe factor in a kitchen — plus, it’s practical too.
Mirrored Furnishings
Reflective surfaces are a cornerstone of opulent interiors. Mirrored pieces bounce around the light and also appear lighter than air, for a result that looks equally uplifting and posh.
Channeling
This plush treatment adds plenty of sophisticated comfort to upholstered furnishings, whether it’s a restaurant banquette or a headboard.
Mouldings
Actual panelling adds depth and character to rooms that may be lacking in architectural distinction. The real thing is pricey (no debate about that), but you can mimic the look with applied mouldings. Once they are painted, it’s difficult to distinguish the faux effect from the real thing.
Investment Lighting
Adding a designer pendant or chandelier to a kitchen is a foolproof way to increase its style quotient (check out online retailers for markdowns if you’re on a budget). Invest in a piece that makes a serious statement, like this glossy Tom Dixon design.
Hotel-Style Bedding
You won’t regret investing in good quality, high-thread count sheets and shams. Pure white linens will deliver a suite-like vibe and let you layer on color with accent pillows and throws.
Monograms
Adding a personal touch to linens is a definite luxe touch, especially in a space that’s frequented by guests, like this high-impact powder room. Hand towels aren’t just embroidered with an initial, they also match the playful Scalamandré wallpaper.
A Chaise Longue
A long, elegant chaise instantly connotes languor and luxury. Place one in a principal bedroom, living space or den, then pair it with a small side table to place your cocktail on.
A Showpiece Faucet
A polished gold, warm bronze or modern black faucet will pop in an all-white neutral kitchen — and there are more finish options on the market now than ever before.
Tactile Grasscloth
Rooms wrapped in grasscloth wallpaper never fail to feel rich and cozy. We particularly love darker tones, like the wallcovering designer Tommy Smythe selected for this handsome den.
Gallery-Like Display
An underused niche can become a focal point if you pay careful attention to styling. Compose your display like a curator, and give only your most interesting objects plenty of room to breathe.
Tall Headboard
Stretching a headboard up towards the ceiling or running it horizontally across a wall are both ways to make the bed a true focal point in a room, and convey a sense of cocooning luxury. This photogenic variation is upholstered in a dreamy print and almost doubles as art.
Tub-Side Table
Make your bathroom feel like a high-end spa by appointing a pretty accent table — like this exotic inlaid piece — with scented candles, brushes, soaps and a vase of fresh flowers.
Dark & Dramatic Color
Deep shades of paint such as navy, emerald green and graphite are handsome choices for a principal bedroom. Here, Benjamin Moore’s Hunter Green makes the room feel particularly luxurious.
A Shot Of Velvet
Plush and enveloping — especially on chilly nights — velvet seating delivers luxury in spades. It’s also a perfect fit with buttery leather upholstery.
Cantilevered Furnishings
Free-floating furniture and shelving can make a room appear larger. There is some labour to affix the pieces safetly to the wall, but the payoff is a sleek, streamlined look that echoes the fixtures found in high-end boutiques and hotels.
A Little Faux Fur
A synthetic throw infuses soft, sumptuous texture into a principal bedroom or guest room. Keep the rest of your linens simple to balance out the look.
Ginger Jars
Chinoiserie vessels are a decorator classic that combines graphic pattern with artisanal flourishes. Designer Richard Ouellette of Les Ensembliers is a huge fan of ginger jars and notes: “Blue and white china is like a great pair of black pants. You can mix it up and play with it in any space.”
Old-World Hardware
Nothing elevates big-box cabinetry quite like traditional latches, knobs and pulls. These handmade pieces by venerable British kitchen company deVOL are especially charming.
Stylish Tea Service
Whether you splash out on a mod designer tea set — like this cool Tom Dixon collection — or pull out your heirloom silver coffee service, a tray of showpiece vessels makes a refined focal point.
Modern Sculpture
Abstract forms look stunning set on mantels, plinths or tabletops. Head to a local art show, studio tour or gallery to pick up an original piece (and, in turn, support the artist who crafted it).
Super-Sized Art
Large-scale prints make a strong, dynamic impression. Invest in a custom frame and high quality matting for a high-end effect.
Lined Bookshelves
This hack is an easy way to instantly make bookshelves look high end. This classic decorating move brings pattern and texture to a room and doesn’t require a huge outlay for fabric or ribbon.
An Elegant Bar
A fully stocked bar cart is a classic choice, but we especially love the look of a sleek tabletop setup. Corral mixing tools on a tray at one end of a slim console, and group glass decanters at the other end.
Custom Cutouts
A curving profile on these twin beds perfectly nestles into the space around the window, and doesn’t block the light. Custom details always look more expensive, but luckily, handy types can DIY a headboard.
Statement Stone
No budget for thickly veined quartz throughout your kitchen? You can still make a splash by installing a single slab as an attention-grabbing backsplash.
Ceiling Detail
While adding coffers, faux beams or medallions to your ceilings is an extra expense, these kinds of details never fail to elevate a standard space.
A Herringbone Floor
A herringbone or chevron pattern underfoot is a timeless choice, whether laid out in light wood or ceramic tile.
Panelled Vent Hood
Clad your ventilation hood in tidy panelling and paint it the same color as your kitchen backsplash for a seamless look.
Monochrome Done Right
Get inspired by this principal bedroom, where a tonal palette of sophisticated greys gives the space a rich, cocooning appeal.
Wooden Shutters
Installing shutters is another upfront investment you won’t soon regret. We especially love them in an ensuite bathroom, where they provide privacy and natural light.
A Textured Backsplash
A simple way to set your subway tile apart from the pack is by selecting slightly irregular, textured tile with a handmade look.
A Stairway That Isn’t An Afterthought
Luxurious details like a custom railing, high quality runner or statement artwork turn a transitional space into a spot to linger.
High-Gloss Color
A bit of shine brings out the depth of a room’s wall and ceiling colors, making the space feel extra special.
Tufted Seating
Adding a button-tufted banquette to an eat-in dining area is a simple way to inject both comfort and charm into a kitchen.