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Making your home look beautiful doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but a few common missteps can unintentionally make your space look less elegant than you’d like. Here are ten ways you might accidentally make your home look cheap, along with simple fixes to help elevate your space and give it a polished look!
1. Ignoring Proper Lighting
Lighting can make or break a space, yet many overlook its importance. Relying on a single overhead light creates harsh shadows and can make a room feel flat. Instead, opt for layered lighting, including table lamps, floor lamps, and accent lights, to add warmth and depth to your home. Incorporating different light sources also allows you to create various moods, making your space feel cozy and inviting.
2. Clutter Everywhere
Clutter is one of the quickest ways to make a home look unkempt and cheap. Piles of random items, papers, or mismatched decor can instantly diminish the beauty of a space. Keep surfaces clear, invest in stylish storage solutions, and regularly declutter to create a cleaner, more polished environment. A clutter-free home looks more spacious, allowing your chosen decor items to stand out.
3. Skipping Window Treatments
Bare windows can make a room feel unfinished and stark. Skipping window treatments, like curtains or blinds, can leave your space incomplete. Adding elegant curtains or blinds that complement your decor will soften the room and make it feel more sophisticated. Proper window treatments can also add a sense of privacy and warmth and even make your ceilings appear taller.
4. Using Rugs That Are Too Small
Rugs can tie a room together, but using a rug that is too small can throw off the entire look. A tiny rug can make the room feel disjointed and cheap. Choose a rug large enough to fit under all your furniture, or at least the front legs, to create a cohesive and grounded look. A correctly sized rug can help define the space and make the room feel more expansive and intentional.
5. Outdated or Dirty Hardware
Worn-out or outdated hardware can instantly date a room, making it look cheap. This includes cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and door knobs. Swapping out old hardware for something more modern or classic is an affordable way to update your space and add a touch of elegance. Simple hardware changes can give your cabinets and furniture a fresh, new look without a complete overhaul.
6. Overusing Fake Plants
Fake plants can be convenient, but overusing them can make your home feel less authentic and tacky. While a few high-quality faux plants can add some greenery, too many can look cheap. If possible, incorporate real plants to bring life and freshness to your home, adding beauty and vibrancy. Real plants also help purify the air and bring a sense of calmness, enhancing the overall atmosphere of your space.
7. Cheap or Mismatched Furniture
Mismatched or visibly cheap furniture can detract from the overall look of your home. While eclectic styles can work, the key is ensuring pieces still coordinate. Instead of buying multiple cheap pieces, consider investing in fewer, higher-quality items with a timeless look. Quality furniture looks better and will stand the test of time, saving you money in the long run.
8. Ignoring Paint Touch-Ups
Scuffed walls and chipped paint can make a home look poorly maintained and cheap. Neglecting to touch-up paint can leave your walls looking worn and neglected. Regularly touching up paint or giving your walls a fresh coat when needed can make your space look well-kept and polished. Choosing a neutral or cohesive color palette can create a more upscale and unified feel throughout your home.
9. Overloaded Shelves
Displaying too many items on shelves can make a space cluttered and chaotic. Overloaded shelves draw attention to the mess rather than to individual decor items. Instead, practice minimalism by displaying select items like books, vases, or framed photos to create a curated, upscale look. Negative space is your friend and can help highlight the special pieces you choose to display.
Maximize your shelving style! Learn How Much Space Should Be Between Shelves? and create a perfectly balanced look for your space
10. Poorly Hung Artwork
Artwork hung at the wrong height or in an awkward arrangement can make your home look unplanned and cheap. Many people hang their artwork too high, which can feel disconnected from the rest of the room. Instead, aim to hang artwork at eye level, and consider creating balanced groupings that enhance the overall aesthetic of your space. Using frames that complement your decor and spacing your pieces thoughtfully can elevate the look of your home.
Easy Fixes for a More Polished Home
Improving your home’s appearance doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. By focusing on proper lighting, decluttering, and making small updates like upgrading hardware or ensuring rugs are the right size, you can instantly elevate the look of your space. A few thoughtful changes can transform your home from feeling cheap to looking chic and well-designed. Paying attention to the details, such as how you hang artwork or touch up paint, can make all the difference in creating a more elegant and polished living environment.
Refresh your space today! Discover 10 Ways to Update Outdated Decor Without Renovating and give your home a stylish new look!
