How To Make Your Home Look Elegant For Way Less
Want to know how to make your home look elegant without spending a fortune? You’re in the right place!
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Whether you’re just starting out or refreshing your space, adding elegant touches doesn’t have to mean high-end designer prices. With the right mix of styling, smart furniture swaps, and intentional design choices, you can create a space that feels upscale and timeless.
These tips work in every room of your home—from the bedroom to the dining room. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite affordable decorating tricks to get a designer look for less. Let’s get into it!
This post is all about how to make your home look elegant.
READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk 2025
1. Decorate with Mirrors
Mirrors are one of the easiest ways to make a space feel elegant and elevated. Designers love using them to reflect light, open up a room, and add sculptural interest.
Don’t just think square or rectangle—try organic shapes, scalloped edges, or even mirrors with boucle or brass frames.
A grouping of mirrors above a sofa or console adds movement, while an oval mirror over a curved-back sofa echoes the shape and draws the eye.
Tall mirrors flanking nightstands create drama in the bedroom. And a trio of narrow mirrors over an entry console makes a big first impression.
Even trendy options, like burgundy-framed mirrors, can look high-end if styled well. The key is the arrangement, not the price.
You can absolutely use affordable mirrors if you place them with intention.
2. Layer Art Like a Designer
Layered art gives your home that collected, curated look you see in professionally designed spaces. Start with a large piece—maybe a mirror or bold artwork—then layer a few smaller pieces in front of it.
You can lean the art on a console, mantel, or media cabinet. Contrast is key: try mixing abstract with landscapes, or color next to black and white. Add in lamps, candles, or vases to complete the look.
This trick doesn’t require expensive art. Frame printable downloads, thrifted finds, or even your own photography. Layering makes your home feel thoughtful and personal.
It’s flexible too—switch things out seasonally or whenever your style evolves.
3. Grid Gallery Wall Layout Ideas
A grid gallery wall is one of the easiest and most polished ways to create a high-end luxurious look. Use identical frames and space them evenly—about 1 to 3 inches apart—for a clean, structured feel.
Choose frames in black, gold, wood, or whatever suits your design style. Inside, keep the artwork consistent in tone or subject. You can go bold with color or keep it minimal with line art or abstract shapes.
For the best effect, your gallery wall should span about 60–75% of the furniture width it hangs above. This makes it feel connected to the rest of the space.
Use this trick above a sofa, console, bed, or any large blank wall that needs attention.
4. Home Bar Cabinet Ideas
Want to blend function with style? Add a bar or coffee area. Built-in bars feel luxe, but you can create the same vibe with a stylish cabinet or cart.
Bar cabinets come in lots of designs—wood, mirrored, fluted, black, brass. One of my favorites is a black cabinet with a mirrored back and roll-back doors. It’s dramatic but still functional.
No space for a full cabinet? Try a bar cart. Style it with bottles, books, artwork, or a small lamp. I skipped the cart because I don’t love dusting, but they’re perfect for smaller homes.
The key is to style the area like a feature—not just storage.
5. Add A Chaise Lounge
If you’re wondering how to make your home look elegant without a full renovation, these tips will help you focus on the details that matter most.
A chaise lounge is the definition of quiet luxury. These pieces are perfect in a cozy reading corner or placed in pairs with a table in between.
You can find them in every style—traditional, modern, glam, coastal. I love a velvet chaise with contrast piping for an elegant vibe. For something relaxed, go with a slipcovered version and drape a throw casually over the end.
[PIN IT FOR LATER]
Picture yourself curled up next to a fireplace with your favorite book—that’s the feeling a chaise lounge creates. It’s a functional piece that also sets the tone for the whole room.
6. Double Coffee Table Layout Ideas
Can’t find the perfect oversized coffee table? Try two smaller ones instead. Designers often double up to fill a larger space without breaking the budget.
Mix shapes and materials—like reeded drums, glass tops, or scalloped styles. In modern homes, I love using two organic gold tables together for an artsy, sculptural feel.
This layout works even in smaller rooms. Just choose more compact tables and arrange them with intention.
They add flexibility too—easy to rearrange when entertaining.
7. How to Style a Coffee Table Like a Designer
Your coffee table shouldn’t just hold remotes. It’s a styling opportunity! Break the surface into sections and create groupings in threes—varying height, texture, and tone.
Use books, vases, trays, bowls, florals, and candles. For example, I once styled a table with a tall vase in the back, a stack of books with a bowl, and candlesticks grouped to one side. That tall vase was the anchor—your eye went straight to it.
One of my favorite designers said something that stuck with me: when he wrote his book, he had to reverse-engineer his styling process because in real life, it’s just trial and error. You move things until they look good. That’s it—and it works.
8. Bedroom Sconce Lighting Ideas
Wall sconces instantly elevate and make your bedroom look expensive. They also free up space on your nightstands. Sconces are a chic lighting upgrade, whether hardwired, plug-in, or battery-operated.
In a guest room, use plug-in sconces with remote-control bulbs. It’ll look polished and free up room for a book, decor, or nighttime essentials.
You can mount them above nightstands, flanking the bed, or centered over a headboard in small rooms. Adjustable arms are great for reading, while sculptural shapes add interest.
9. Wallpaper Panel Accent Wall Ideas
Wallpaper panels are a modern take on accent walls—and they cost a lot less than covering the whole room.
Frame a panel or two with molding for a tailored, high-end effect. You can use them behind beds, in living rooms, or on a focal wall in a foyer.
I love the look of dark, color-drenched walls with light wallpaper panels layered in. The contrast adds depth and drama.
10. Dining Room Ottoman Seating Ideas
Dining chairs can be pricey—especially when you need six or more. A smart alternative? Ottomans. They’re often more affordable and can be moved around easily.
Try striped ottomans for a coastal feel or velvet ones for modern elegance. This trick works especially well in open floor plans, where chair backs might block sight lines.
Mix them in with your dining chairs or tuck them under a table to keep the look light.
Final Thoughts: Luxury Look for Less Decorating Tips
And that’s a wrap! You now have 10 designer-approved ways to make your home look elegant without going over budget.
From layered mirrors and styled coffee tables to creative wallpaper panels and ottoman swaps, it’s all about thoughtful choices. Be intentional with your layout. Mix high and low pieces. Trust your eye—and don’t overthink it.
Even top designers move things around until it feels right. You can absolutely create a space that looks like a million bucks—without spending it.
If you want more guidance, check out Designer Home 101—my course that walks you through styling every room. Let me know which tip was your favorite, and tag me on Instagram if you try one!
Until next time—Happy Designing!
This post is all about how to make your home look elegant.
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Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by Nicole DelaCruz
