15 Things That Make Your Home Look Less Expensive

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In the pursuit of creating a home that exudes comfort and style, it’s easy to overlook details that might cheapen the look of your space. Fortunately, with some changes and updates, any home can convey a sense of elegance without breaking the bank. From embracing eclectic mixes of vintage finds to taming cable chaos and refreshing worn-out blinds, each strategy can significantly enhance your living environment. Dive into these transformative tips and tricks that help elevate your space’s aesthetic and bring out its true potential, all while maintaining a welcoming, personalized feel.

Cluttered Spaces Filled with Too Many Items

Layered Textures and Vintage Charm in a Welcoming Living Room
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Cluttered spaces filled with excessive items can make a home look chaotic and unorganized, giving it a cheap and overcrowded feel. When there are too many objects crammed into a space, it’s difficult for the eye to focus on any one thing. Instead, declutter regularly, keeping only items that serve a purpose or add value, and create open, airy spaces.

Mismatched Furniture that Lacks Cohesion

Curate an Eclectic Room with Unique Vintage Finds
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Mismatched furniture can create a disjointed and unplanned look, making your home feel thrown together. Without a cohesive style or color scheme, the furniture can look out of place, lowering the overall appeal. Choose pieces that complement each other in both style and color to create a more polished and cohesive look.

Poor Quality or Old Window Treatments

Upgrade Your Home Instantly by Fixing Those Neglected Blinds
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Outdated or low-quality window treatments can make a room look cheap and neglected, distracting from the overall design. They can also give off a feeling of lack of attention to detail, which can make the space feel less inviting. Opt for simple, high-quality window treatments that fit the aesthetic of the room to bring a refined look.

Worn-Out or Stained Carpeting

Transform Your Living Room with Simple Yet Impactful Changes
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Worn-out or stained carpeting can immediately make a room appear tired and inexpensive, undermining the overall design of the space. This makes the room look poorly maintained, even if the rest of the decor is nice. Consider replacing or cleaning carpets regularly, or opt for hardwood floors or stylish rugs that enhance the space.

Poor Lighting with Harsh or Dim Illumination

Create a Cozy Vintage Retreat with Ambient Lighting
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Harsh or dim lighting can create a cold, unwelcoming atmosphere, making your home feel uncomfortable and cheap. It can make even the most stylish room look dreary and underwhelming. Invest in layered lighting with a mix of overhead, task, and ambient lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Artificial Plants Covered in Dust

Add a Pop of Color with a Simple Floral Accent
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Artificial plants covered in dust can give off the impression that your home is neglected, making the space feel low-maintenance in a negative way. Over time, they collect dust, further diminishing their appeal. Instead, use real plants where possible, or ensure artificial ones are regularly cleaned to maintain their lifelike appearance.

Bare Walls Without Any Artwork or Decor

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Bare walls can make a home look unfinished or impersonal, creating a cold, empty feeling. Without artwork or decor, rooms can seem lackluster and uninspired. Add artwork, framed photos, or wall decor that reflects your personality and complements the room’s style to make the space feel complete.

Dirty or Streaky Windows Reducing Curb Appeal

Freshen Up Your View by Keeping Windows Spotless
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Dirty or streaky windows can give the impression that a home is not well cared for, reducing its curb appeal and making it look less inviting. They detract from the view and can make a home appear unkempt. Clean windows regularly to maintain a bright, polished appearance that lets natural light flow in and improves your home’s overall look.

Inconsistent Color Schemes Clashing in Rooms

Mix Bold Colors with Geometric Art for a Standout Living Space
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When color schemes clash in different rooms or areas, it can make the space feel chaotic and unrefined. A lack of coordination between colors can make a home feel disjointed, lowering its aesthetic value. Stick to a cohesive color palette throughout your home to create a harmonious flow between rooms.

Overwhelming Use of Bold Patterns

Make a Bold Statement with Patterns and Colors in Your Living Space
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Too many bold patterns in one space can make a room feel overwhelming and cluttered, detracting from the overall design. It can also make the space appear overly busy and chaotic, giving it a cheap feel. Limit the use of bold patterns and balance them with more subtle designs or solid colors for a more sophisticated look.

Oversized Furniture in Small Rooms

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Oversized furniture can overwhelm a small room, making the space feel cramped and less functional. When furniture is too large for a room, it can reduce available space and make it harder to move around comfortably. Opt for appropriately sized furniture that fits the scale of the room to keep the space feeling open and comfortable.

Lack of a Cohesive Decorating Style

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When there’s no clear decorating style, a room can look like a hodgepodge of mismatched items that don’t work together, creating a disjointed feel. This lack of cohesion can make your home seem unintentional and inexpensive. Establish a clear style or theme and select items that complement each other to create a polished and put-together space.

Empty Corners of a Room

Enhance Natural Light with Classic Wood Shutters
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Empty corners can make a room feel incomplete, leaving unused space that makes the room seem sparse and less inviting. These areas can contribute to a sense of neglect if not addressed. Fill corners with functional or decorative pieces like plants, small tables, or chairs to create balance and warmth.

Plastic Dishware Displayed in Kitchens

Streamline Your Kitchen with Decluttering Hacks
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Displaying plastic dishware in the kitchen can make the space look cheap and understyled, taking away from the overall ambiance. The materials appear less refined and can make your kitchen feel more casual than it should. Opt for high-quality dishware, whether ceramic or glass, to add sophistication to your kitchen space.

Rooms Overdone with Themed Decor

Infuse Coastal Charm with Nautical Decor Accents
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Overdoing a theme in a room can make it feel too busy and can make the space look like it lacks personality. When everything in the room follows one theme too closely, it can feel forced and cluttered. Keep themed decor to a minimum and incorporate it subtly, allowing other design elements to shine.

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