13 Affordable Ways To Make Your Home Look Expensive
Today, I’m sharing 13 ways to make your home look expensive from Lowe’s because they’re so much more than just your local home improvement store. You may not realize it but Lowe’s is full of ideas and inspiration for every room in your home.
This post is sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement. As a Lowe’s Partner, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my full disclosure.
Not only are they an affordable resource, but they’re on trend and stylish. I will take you through each room of your home and show you how to get a high-end look for less.
Lowe’s has decor like plants and greenery for a touch of nature, area rugs for a cozy vibe, and mirrors to make your space expansive. They have stylish baskets for extra storage, lighting to brighten any space, and accent furniture to complete the look.
There’s even peel-and-stick wallpaper and tile you can DIY to give your home a fresh new look. Whether you rent or own these ideas and inspiration will help you get a high-end look for less.
This post is all about ways to make your home look expensive.
READ MORE>>> Home Design Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk
Decor For A Finishing Touch
We’ll start with decor because if you’ve ever walked into a space that feels off or incomplete, chances are it’s what’s missing.
Decor is the finishing touch that ties a room together and carries your eyes throughout a space. It’s also used to add interest and personality.
Overlooking decor is a common interior decorating mistake that can leave your space feeling unfinished, no matter how nice the furniture is.
1. Plants and Greenery
Adding plants and greenery is one of the easiest ways to make your home look more expensive. They’ll add color, texture, and a breath of life.
Aside from looking pretty, other benefits include:
- inspire creativity
- absorb noise
- lower stress and anxiety
- boost your mood
- make you sleep better
Lowe’s also offers a variety of vases and planters that fit any design style. From boho to modern and traditional, they have it all.
There are neutral planters to blend with your current decor, or you can pick something bold to make a statement.
One example is the fun planters with faces on them. They’re perfect for adding a unique touch to any space. They allow you to express your personality while creating an elevated look.
I’m currently obsessed with them! They’re so cute and are a great conversation starter. My husband recently broke one of mine, so I picked the one above at Lowe’s for just under $6.50! It’s perfect for the front porch or styled with existing decor in the living room.
2. Lowe’s Area Rugs for Your Home
Believe it or not, Lowe’s can be a resource for affordable rugs that have a high-end look. Rugs ground your seating arrangement, define zones in open floor plans, and add a cozy feeling to a room.
Lowe’s has a nice selection, but I’ll highlight the two that caught my eye. One is from the Origin 21 line, and the other is the Allen + Roth.
You’ll hear these two name brands mentioned throughout this post. The products are stylish, on trend, and will make your home look elegant. You’re going to love them as much as I do.
For modern luxury living rooms, this Origin 21 Contempo rug is $279 for an 8×10. It has a soft low pile with a neutral base and accents of color.
For a more traditional or transitional vibe the a+r Miriam rug, originally $349 is on sale for $174. It has a blue base with neutral, rust, and golden accents.
Either rug would be great to use as a jumping-off point to create your color scheme.
Carpet tiles are another inexpensive way to elevate a room, whether it’s a basement, playroom, or outdoor space. They’re a simple DIY project that gives the appearance of wall-to-wall carpet.
At $1.52 per square foot, they’re affordable and durable. For example, redoing a 10×20 room would cost about $630 and require six boxes. They’re easy to clean and can be moved if needed, making them a flexible option for many spaces.
3. Mirrors For Any Room
Lowe’s has a selection of affordable mirrors that are stylish and functional. Mirrors make a room feel expansive and reflect light.
The round gold mirror for $60 would be perfect for over a bathroom vanity, dresser, or console table.
If you have a small bathroom and need to add storage the medicine cabinet mirror is a great option because it can be recessed in the wall. The Lowe’s version for $134 has a similar look for less than the high-end style that costs $349.
Lowe’s also has a version of the trending arch mirror that’s all the rage at the moment. It’s part of the Origin 21 line for $89.98 and is a look for less than the high-end arch mirror in the same size that goes for $398
Storage and Style
You may have noticed many designer spaces have cute rattan baskets with pillows or blankets draped out of them or lined at the bottom of a console table. They add both style and practicality to a space.
You can use them to store books, remotes, shoes, toys, or anything you want to keep out of sight. Lowe’s has several affordable options to get this look in your home.
4. Baskets
Lowe’s has a lovely selection of budget-friendly baskets to elevate the look of your home.
A few that stood out are the Origin 21 rope basket for just under $12. It has a leather strap detail that gives it an elevated look. There’s also a larger size for just under $16.
Lowe’s has a stylish natural basket by Allen + Roth for only $30. It has a similar look for less to the high-end basket that costs $267.
If you have a console table with a shelf at the bottom you can line it with three baskets. Each one would cost $25 and is similar in style to the designer rattan basket that costs $60 each.
These elegant decorating ideas are great for adding texture, a natural element, and storage.
Cube Storage Solution
For anyone with a child going off to college, the cube storage for $35 is perfect to replace the dresser in a room. It adds storage and an extra surface area on top for displaying photos, decor, or books.
You can choose neutral baskets, patterned, or mix and match for a pop of color. The baskets are $6 each so for $65 you’ll replace the cost of a dresser.
Advantages of Cube Storage:
- Replaces bulky dressers.
- Adds extra surface area for displaying items.
- Customizable with different basket options.
This is what we got for my daughter for her off-campus college room in Hawaii, and it worked perfectly. I highly recommend it.
Accent Chairs Make Your Home Look Expensive
Gone are the days of the sofa and loveseat combo. Look at any well-designed space and you’ll see an accent chair. Some spaces have a pair of chairs opposite the sofa or one with a side table and floor lamp for a corner moment.
5. Lowe’s Accent Chairs
My Lowe’s had a neutral swivel chair that’s perfect for any style of home. It can be added to your living room, bedroom, home office, or any space you want to add extra seating. The best part of a swivel chair is that you can turn to face the action no matter where it’s at.
They also had a tufted-back accent chair for $329 with a more transitional vibe.
Just a side note, even if you are only adding accent chairs you should still measure your room and create a floor plan. It’s the only way to know your furniture will fit and you’ll avoid returns.
For help measuring and creating your floor plan download the free step-by-step detailed PDF guide above. Trust me it’ll be super helpful and you can thank me later.
Lowes also has the Bosch laser measure that’s recommended in the PDF to save time when measuring for just under $60.
Peel & Stick DIY Solutions
Removable wallpaper and tile are perfect to add a fresh look to your space. It’s another affordable way to make your home look expensive on a budget.
It’s easy to put up and take down, making it a great option for both renters and homeowners.
6. Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Peel & Stick Wallpaper can be used to add an accent wall, line a bookshelf, or add texture to your furniture. This is a product that allows you to get creative and show your personal style.
Real grasscloth wallpaper is very expensive but Lowe’s has several options to get a similar look for less. There are also patterns like geometrics, florals, faux brick and so many more.
Removable wallpaper is perfect for updating any space from traditional to boho and modern. Lowe’s has peel-and-stick subway tile patterns for $19.98 that would work to update an apartment kitchen backsplash or be a temporary solution while you save up for a big remodel.
7. Peel & Stick Tile
Another way to update or add a backsplash to your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room is with peel and stick tile. It’s way more affordable than hiring a contractor to install the real deal especially if you only want a temporary solution.
There are several options, including:
- faux marble subway tile for $9.59
- hexagon pattern for $11.58.
Lighting: The Jewelry Of A Room
Lighting can make a huge difference in creating your designer home. Layered lighting is one of the easiest ways to make your home look expensive.
This means there’s a combination of general, accent, task, and natural lighting. Lowe’s has a wide selection of lighting options, from stylish chandeliers to functional table lamps.
8. Layered Lighting Ideas
If you have the classic “boob” fixture in your home you could update it with a more stylish and current chandelier for general or ambient lighting. For a modern, contemporary look, check out the fixtures from the Origin 21 collection.
I’m a fan of gold fixtures, but many of these styles are available in black, bronze, and brushed silver. The prices range from $150 to $300, which is super affordable for stylish lighting.
Lowe’s has a mixed material walnut and brushed gold pendant light for $320 that’ll add warmth and sophistication to your design.
If your ceiling is low go with a semi-flush mount fixture. The black drum light for $130 or a modern gold semi-flush for $80 are both on-trend.
Pendant Lights
Lowes also had a large selection of pendant lights, which will add task lighting to your kitchen island or accent lighting in your bedroom or living room. The Allen + Roth mini pendant for $50 is an affordable option that could work in transitional to modern spaces.
There’s also a rattan pendant for $80 which is an affordable update for coastal or boho spaces. I found a pendant light on the website for just over $100 which is a look for less of the Hinkley pendant, and also on Lowe’s for just over $400.
For a custom personalized look, there’s an entire section where you can choose your canopy and shade style.
Task Lighting With Table Lamps
Task lighting is another way to make your home look expensive on a budget. Lowes had a variety of table lamps to elevate the look of your room, like a textured organic black lamp that could go on either side of your sofa or your bedroom nightstand.
[PIN IT FOR LATER]
The Allen + Roth buffet lamp would add a designer touch to a console table. In coastal spaces, the rattan lamp would elevate your interior design.
There was also a mix-and-match section where you could choose the lamp base and shade for an original look. Table lamps add function, texture, and style to your room.
Even if you don’t have access to an outlet nearby, you could add a cute LED touch lamp anywhere. Once it’s charged, you simply tap the top and choose between daylight, soft white, and warm light.
It’s perfect for a coffee table, sofa table, dorm room, or kitchen island. It’s so cute!
9. Dimmer Switches
Dimmer Switches are a must to set the mood and atmosphere of a room. Chandeliers, sconces, high hats, under-counter lighting, pendant lights, and most any type can be added to a dimmer switch.
It allows you to adjust the lighting depending on the activity and create ambiance. Lowes has a wide selection of dimmer switches including the Lutron brand which has a high tech design that’ll give your home an elevated look.
Ways To Make Your Kitchen & Bath Look Expensive
The next group of products is from the kitchen and bath department, where style meets function. You may think it’s too expensive to touch these rooms without doing a full remodel, but that’s not true. Changing out small things can have a big impact and make a statement.
10. Update Your Kitchen Faucet
Simply updating your kitchen faucet is another way to make your home look expensive on a budget. For example, Lowe’s has the Kohler brushed brass kitchen faucet shown in this kitchen design.
Kohler Brushed Brass Kitchen Faucet
It has a sleek, modern design that’s right on trend and will add an elevated, high-end look. I love the gold finish, but there are 5 options available if it’s not for you.
Your kitchen faucet is where you can go trendy because it’s not as expensive as a hard finish to change out later.
Classic And Timeless
If you want to go classic and timeless are your cabinets, countertop, backsplash, and flooring are all expensive to change. Just go with the boring subway tile for your backsplash because it will last and look current for years.
Lowes is a great resource for white subway tiles in different styles and sizes. I have a whole blog post on grout colors and white subway tile that’ll be super helpful.
11. Update Your Bathroom Vanity
Bathroom remodels are expensive, but changing your vanity is an affordable way to get an updated look.
Lowes had a Fluted Vanity from Allen + Roth, which is right on trend. It’s available in greige or white in multiple sizes. Just make sure that the greige color goes with the undertones of your current hard finishes so it doesn’t clash.
The vanity was styled in the store with a faucet and mirror similar to what we have in our Airbnb bathroom. The high-end Kohler bathroom faucet is $974 but the Allen + Roth look for less is just over $100, which is amazing. It was paired with the round gold mirror shown above.
Pro Tip: Choose your shower fixtures from the same collection as your faucet.
Different brands have different finishes, and it’s very difficult to mix and match.
This applies to your shower rings, towel bars, and toilet holders unless you mix the metals.
12. Update your Cabinet Hardware
Updating your cabinet hardware is an affordable way to make your home look expensive. It will elevate the look of your kitchen, bathroom, or furniture.
The orb ball knob is currently trending in high-end kitchens and Lowe’s has a look for less for a fraction of the price.
Make sure the finish is the same when matching your drawer pulls to your knobs. There is also a stylish knob and pull from the Allen + Roth collection that’ll give you a high-end look.
Adding Special Touches
The thing that makes designer spaces special is the attention to detail. You’ll notice small touches like adding something as simple as this wall-mount bottle opener for $4.78 to your bar area.
It’s not only fun, but it’ll be the talk of the party. It was located with the knobs and door handles but I linked it above so you can order online.
Paint To Make Your Home Look Expensive
By far the most affordable way to update any room on a budget is with paint. For under $100, you can make a dramatic transformation.
13. Upgrade With Paint
If you plan to paint yourself, I HIGHLY recommend you invest in the Purdy brand rollers and paint brushes. Every paint contractor I’ve ever worked with uses them and recommends them.
It’s what I’ve used for years, and I could not recommend it enough. You’ll get a smooth application, and if you clean and take care of the brushes, they’ll last for years!
Bonus: Lowe’s Must-Have
This last Lowe’s product is perfect if you just moved into a new apartment or home, especially a new build. Most of the time, there are no window treatments, and my friend, if you don’t already know, window treatments are EXPENSIVE, especially designer quality.
If you’ve just moved in or are in the process of a remodel, you NEED to get the Redi Shades. You can get a 4-pack for just over $20, and they can be trimmed down to fit your window perfectly.
There are light filtering, room darkening, and blackout options, which are great for bedrooms. If you’re getting too much light in your room right now, you can put them behind what you already have because they stick right inside your window sill.
They’re the best thing to hold you over until you’re ready to invest in window treatments. Let me tell you, window treatments will be an investment and a part of your home for many years.
And that, my friends… is a wrap!
You now have 13 ways to make your home look expensive without breaking the bank. Who knew Lowe’s was a hidden gem for high-end home decor inspiration? From cozy living rooms to stunning dining spaces, you can transform any room with a little creativity and the right pieces.
Remember, it’s all about mixing and matching to create a space that reflects your personal style. So, next time you’re looking for a home makeover, don’t forget to check out Lowe’s. You might be surprised at what you find!
Have you tried any of these tips? Share your results and before-and-after photos in the comments below!
This post is all about ways to make your home look expensive.
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Last Updated on May 5, 2025 by Nicole DelaCruz
