How to make your home look expensive
Who says you have to spend a fortune to give your home a luxurious look? With a little creativity and a good eye for detail you can transform any room, whatever your budget. Give your home the 'wow' factor with top home buys and clever tips and tricks.
Maximise the light
Make the most of natural lighting by drawing back curtains and opting for pale-coloured drapes. For a sophisticated look, choose curtains that match the colour of the walls and hang them slightly taller and wider than the widows. It will make the window seem bigger and allow more light in when you open them. To give the illusion of more space, hang an oversize mirror opposite the window to bounce light around the room.
Malory Mirror Floor Mirror, £245, Laura Ashley
Add architectural details
Don't forget the little touches. Architectural details will give your home instant period charm and don't cost much. Adding decorative ceiling roses, mouldings and deep skirting boards will make any room look more luxurious.
Artex Richmond White Ceiling Rose, £28, B&Q
Faux wood panelling
Wood panelling looks expensive but can be achieved for a fraction of the cost if you're prepared to do some DIY. Paint MDF panels in heritage colours, such as chalky whites and greys, for an authentic period finish. DIY skills not up to scratch? Get the look with wallpaper instead.
Andrew Martin Regent Wallpaper, from £77.90, Houseology.com
Simple sophistication
When it comes to achieving an authentic luxurious look, less is often more. Pare back busy prints and patterns and limit your paint palette to sophisticated shades for a decadent look. Going minimalist doesn't have to mean living in a pristine 'white box'. Darker shades can give a room depth and character and provide a stunning backdrop for gilt-edged picture frames and mirrors.
Choose a sophisticated paint palette, as used in this decadent room
Make any room seem bigger
Just because your home is small on space doesn't mean it has to be short on style. Flooring can have a major impact on how big a room seems. Busy patterns and dark colours make a room look smaller while plain, neutral carpets complement most colour schemes and create a feeling of space. Try to keep as much floor on show as possible – choose furniture with slim legs where you can see the ground underneath and opt for wall-hung bookcases. The more floor you can see, the bigger the room will appear.
Baroque Traditional Duck Egg Cotton and Wool Rug (200cmx300cm) £329, Laura Ashley
