Renovation projects have soared with more people staying at home for the last two years. It seems homeowners are enthusiastic about beautiful upgrades that make their pads look and feel more attractive. However, not everyone is interested in taking on expensive remodeling projects.
Thankfully, there are many inexpensive ways to add some grandeur to your home without running up a high credit card bill. Here are seven affordable luxuries you can add to your home this year.
1. Throw Pillows
Is there an easier, less expensive way to refresh a room than with throw pillows? Decorative cushions allow you to stay on trend without totally committing and can add an exciting pop of color and pattern to your living room and bedroom.
Feel free to mix and match floral or geometric patterns or choose a bold, solid color instead. Throw pillows can change a room’s aesthetic and add additional comfort for you and your guests.
When current decor trends or your tastes change, there’s no need to buy all new pillows. All you need to do is replace the covers with new ones.
2. Sheer Curtains
Window treatments can dress up a room and give your space the luxurious vibe you’re aiming for. Heavy layers of paneled drapery can darken a dining or living room and make it feel smaller. They’re also a bit outdated.
Switching your curtains out for no-frills sheers allows you to let the light and airiness in, delivering a more elegant atmosphere to your favorite gathering areas. Sheers are also significantly cheaper than curtains, so you won’t need to worry about draining your accounts for this easy upgrade.
Better yet, if your current window treatments are layered, simply remove the panels and keep the sheers underneath. You may not need to spend a dime on this design enhancement after all.
3. Updated Cabinet Hardware
Kitchen and bathroom renovations are popular but cost a lot of money. According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS), Americans spent about $420 billion on home remodeling projects and repairs in 2020.
You may be tired of looking at your outdated cabinets if you usually spend a lot of time in your kitchen. However, there’s no need to install new cabinetry and countertops to give the room a complete design overhaul.
Changing the hardware is an ultra-affordable upgrade you can do to make your kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanity more luxurious — and the possibilities are endless. Consider matte black, stainless steel, or gold knobs and pulls if you have light-colored cabinetry. Brushed nickel looks stunning against darker cabinets, as well.
There aren’t any actual rules for hardware, and you can always opt for another unique knob or pull design that works best for you.
4. Heated Bathroom Floors
Nothing says luxury more than heated floors, and in the wintertime, wouldn’t you rather step out of a hot shower onto something warm and cozy? While installing radiant heated floors may seem like a pricier upgrade than most, it may still meet your budget if you’re putting them in a small area like your bathroom.
Radiant heated floors are wired heating mats installed under the flooring surface, allowing you to control the temperature with a thermostat. This flooring upgrade can cost you approximately $200 to $10,000 to install, but it ultimately depends on the square footage of the space.
5. Wallpaper Accents
It’s easy to go overboard with wallpaper, but there are several ways you can apply it to a room to liven up your lavish abode.
Purchase a stylish self-adhesive wallpaper roll and use it to create a classy accent wall in your living room, dining room or behind your bed. You can also add it to the inside-backs of open cabinets and bookcases.
Feel free to dress up your closet with it, as well, or apply it to the inside of dresser drawers, reading nooks and even on the ceiling.
6. Fresh Coat of Paint
Paint can do wonders when it comes to rejuvenating your home. White and off-white shades are still reminiscent of luxury hotel rooms and spas, but current paint color trends lean toward earthy tones, soothing blues and dramatic charcoal hues.
Make a statement with a dark accent wall, or consider painting your ceiling a bold shade instead. You can also stick with a single color palette throughout the entire house or pick a different hue for each room. Whether you prefer a subtle look or something a bit more pronounced, painting is a great way to add glamour to your home.
7. Mirrors
Wherever you’ve considered putting a piece of artwork, think about hanging a mirror instead. Mirrors are an affordable, classy update you can add to any room in your house and tend to reflect more natural light into the space.
Decorative mirrors come in interesting shapes, sizes and designs, like a flower or the sun. You may also decide to go with a gold, black or silver-framed mirror or one with a unique artistic design element.
Bring Your Pinterest Board to Life
There’s no reason you can’t steal some of those Pinterest ideas to transform your house into the luxurious home of your dreams. It doesn’t cost much to make a few minor upgrades that add value and make it look and feel fancier.
