How to make a living room look expensive: 11 design tricks
Looking to welcome a touch of luxury to your living room decor? Then look no further, these simple interior design tricks are the key to unlocking the potential behind how to make a living room look expensive on a budget.
When looking to make a home look expensive, the devil is in the details, because while the wrong paint colours threaten to devalue a home, the right interior design features can add value. Even the smallest styling tricks can go a long way to improve the decor and make a living room feel more expensive.
From rearranging the layout to introducing sumptuous fabrics, these savvy interior design tricks can go a long way to maximising the luxury feel of your decor and transforming a living room on a budget.
Home to make a living room look expensive: 11 design tips
Our panel of interior design experts explains how simple styling ideas can help create a more expensive-looking living room.
From emulating the latest interior design trends by introducing a plethora of sumptuous fabrics to dress the couch to adding an accent wall of captivating wallpaper, there’s a solution for living rooms of all shapes and sizes.
1. Minimise clutter to create calm
(Image credit: Getty Images | Creativa Studio)
Every room benefits greatly when carrying out the task of decluttering a home because it minimises mess and the sheer amount of ‘things’ blocking your view of the decor. Luxury homes are often minimalist in style to allow the space to feel more considered and calming.
“When a home opens up into the living room, I like to keep clutter concealed,” says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini.
“Try organising and containing any accessories and bookbags with low-budget, off-the-shelf cabinet options. You can find great options at Target or Walmart and dress them up with your own hardware for an elevated look.”
La Jolie Muse Woven Wicker Storage Baskets
RRP: £16.99 | If you’re looking to organise your space without sacrificing style, then these minimalist wicker baskets are ideal. Particularly good for grouping small things so you don’t lose them.
2. Reposition the furniture
(Image credit: Getty Images | Robert Daly)
Create a strong visual impact for this social space by rearranging the furniture to give it a new perspective. Move furniture away from the walls and allow it to breathe and feel more present within the space. This can also help to make a small living room look bigger – a welcome effect.
Also, steer away from the modern layout that focuses too heavily on the TV. Opt instead for a more formal layout, one that welcomes a greater sense of interaction.
“When designing for families, we are championing a change in the traditional layout of living space, moving away from a centrally located TV with couches positioned around it,” explains Noor Charchafchi, founder and CEO of award-winning studio Celine Interior Design. “Instead, we want to prioritise communication between family members and like to place sofas opposite one another so that conversation can flow more naturally.
3. Consider the colour palette
(Image credit: Getty Images | Woning Media)
Ensure the colour palette feels well-considered throughout your living room to offer a more luxurious feel. That’s not to say it has to be devoid of colour, merely that cohesion is key to giving the space an interior designer’s touch.
“I always start first with the colour of the walls, and the rug – if you’re going to have a rug – and the window treatments,” explains interior and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, who spoke exclusively to w&h ahead of her curated interior collection launching at Etsy.
Whether you’re seeking to use one of the latest interior paint colour trends or simply enhance your existing living room paint colour, the key is in maintaining a calming colour palette throughout.
4. Stick to one core style
(Image credit: Future)
While a coordinated colour scheme is a good start, it is also essential to consider how cohesive all the other components feel when sitting together in the room. Cohesive furniture and furnishings prevent the decor from feeling chaotic and thrown together.
“You have to make sure that there are not too many different styles in the room,” warns Martha. “You don’t want to pair a Louis XIV couch with, you know, an early American wooden bench. It just wouldn’t look good. But the Louis XIV couch would look nice with two big armchairs and maybe a very special antique coffee table.”
It might mean that you have a furniture reshuffle throughout your home, perhaps moving pieces into other rooms to ensure your living room furnishings feel more considered for a luxury look.
5. Dress the furniture
(Image credit: Future | Dominic Blackmore)
As one of the largest items of furniture within the room, your couch is one of the first focal points and therefore can be a valuable tool for making the decor feel more luxe with a simple touch of styling.
“Dressing your couch is an effortless, effective way to express your style without completely redecorating your living room,” says Francesca Hadland, styling expert for Bridgman. “Choose cushions and throws that reflect your personality.
“Embrace your fun side with bold colours and patterns that create instant impact, or keep it calm and subtle with a mixture of darker and lighter neutral shades. Don’t forget that cushions aren’t the only accessory in your arsenal. Fold up your throw for a more refined look, or drape over the back or arms to keep things casual.”
Issey Velvet Fringed Green Cotton Cushion Cover
RRP: £28 | If you’re not one for the neutral minimalist palette, then this stunning green and pink cushion from Oliver Bonas is just the thing to inject some personality into your living room.
Luxury Wool Cashmere Throw
RRP: £185 | What’s more luxurious than cashmere? This throw will instantly elevate your living room and keep you cosy on colder nights too.
Greige 40 x 59cm Matte Velvet Cushion
RRP: £11 | These cushions are fantastic for scattering along your sofa for extra comfort. At just over £10, they’re a steal and add a subtle texture contrast thanks to the matte velvet finish.
6. Introduce irresistible textures
(Image credit: Getty Images | Follow The Flow)
Add depth and interest to your scheme by way of layered textures. “To add luxury, we recommend looking to your senses,” says Francesca. “Dressing your room is as much about touch as it is sight, so don’t be afraid to introduce texture.”
“Texture is guaranteed to create interest, add diversity to your living room and make any couch or armchair instantly more inviting and cosier.
Choose velvet cushions to add softness, pick fluffy wool throws to contrast against cotton upholstery, or offset richly textured couches with simple linen cushions.” Adding a tactile rug to the floors is another way to up the texture within your scheme.
However, Francesca warns: “But be careful – don’t mix too many textures as you could cause tactile confusion and aesthetic clashes.”
7. Balance the lighting
(Image credit: Getty Images | Alvarez)
Pay special attention to the lighting to instantly elevate your living room and make it feel more expensive, from changing the bulbs to changing the shades – a little can go a long way to create a layered lighting scheme. Take note of the latest lighting trends and see how you can incorporate these into your space; it can be as simple as swapping shades.
“Lighting fixtures are extremely important,” says Martha. “Is your lampshade torn? Is it frayed? Is it dirty? Lampshades get dirty and lampshades get torn and then they really look awful.” If you can clean your lampshades, do; if not, it may be time to replace them.
“And also, the light bulbs – make sure all your lamps have the same watt light bulbs in them so that you don’t turn on a very bright one and turn one that’s very dim. They should all be the same, and a dimmer is really great for that.”
8. Pay attention to switches and sockets
LS 990 Rotary Dimmer | Plug & Light LED-Strahler both by Jung
(Image credit: Jung)
Light switches and power sockets may be essential in a living room, but so often the cheap-looking white plastic finish lets the decor down dramatically.
When the switches and sockets are in plain sight, it can be extremely beneficial to invest in a more aesthetically pleasing solution – these switches from design specialist Jung are the perfect examples.
Whether you want a white switch that disappears into the wall to go unnoticed for a minimaluxe look or a shiny chrome design that commands attention, there’s a style to suit.
Even the fact that you’ve chosen the finish makes the room feel like it’s had more of a designer’s touch because the smaller details have been acknowledged and thoughtfully selected.
SE Home
Twin Double Switched Plug Socket
RRP: £19.95 | Elevate your electrics with the help of this brushed brass 2 gang 13A DP ingot. The chic metallic touch is an excellent way to add an affordable touch of luxe.
Trendi
10 Amp Light Switch
RRP: £5.99 | This Trendi 1 Gang 2 Way light switch is the ideal way to jazz up your light switches without having to go over the top. The white finish ensures it’s understated but still elevated.
Bodygenix
Bg Electrical Intelligent Single Wall Dimmer Switch
RRP: £11.98 | A dimmer switch is a must in my book, it gives complete control over the lighting scheme to create the right atmosphere. A brushed steel finish adds to the decor.
9. Add decadent wallpaper
(Image credit: Future)
Look to the latest wallpaper trends to give your living room a designer update. “If you want to elevate the look of your living room without breaking the bank, wallpaper can be a fantastic option,” says Kerry McKenzie, co-founder of hand-drawn wallpaper specialists Brand McKenzie.
“To make your living room look expensive, consider investing in high-quality wallpaper with a hand-drawn design. The love and attention that the artist has put into the design will shine through, making the wallpaper stand out from the crowd. And unlike mass-produced wallpaper designs that may quickly go out of style, a hand-drawn design is timeless.”
“If you don’t have the budget to wallpaper every wall with high-quality wallpaper, use it sparingly. One simple solution is to create an accent wall. Start by choosing which wall you want to paper. The wall opposite the door is ideal since it’s the first thing you’ll see when you enter the room.”
“If your living room has architectural features like a fireplace, consider making an accent of the wall where it sits. If possible, avoid choosing your TV wall because you don’t want to draw attention to it.”
10. Try to integrate the TV
(Image credit: Future)
As we’ve just touched on, it is best to avoid drawing attention to a TV if you want your living room to look and feel more luxurious. While we all enjoy nothing more than hunkering down on the couch to binge-watch the latest box sets, we don’t want the TV and media units to be the main attraction when it comes to the decor.
“Whilst tech plays a huge role in our clients’ lives, and consequently in their homes, we are seeing many more requests for hidden and pared-back AV,” says Noor.
“Finding ways to conceal speakers and home assistants within cleverly designed joinery or charging points within occasional tables has become an important part of our briefs.”
11. Update window treatments
(Image credit: Future)
Never underestimate the impact that well-styled window treatments can have on a living room. “Window treatments are an easy way to spruce up any room,” says Jon Sanborn, co-founder of house flipping specialists SD House Guy.
“Consider buying some new curtains or blinds that match the colours and themes of your space. Adding decorative trim or embellishments can also add a lot of style to any existing window treatments.”
Even elegant tiebacks can add a thoughtful touch to the presentation of your curtains, giving them more shape and structure when not in use.
FAQs
What colour makes a living room look expensive?
Whether you’re up to date with the interior paint colour trends or not, some specific hues can transform your space completely with a lick of paint.
“Deep, muted tones such as olive green, navy, or taupe feel sophisticated and timeless. Warm greys and soft, creamy neutrals also lend a polished, calming effect. Painting all architectural elements in one tone can make the room feel cohesive and considered,” says Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors.
I can attest to this after using a deep green colour, one of the new Farrow & Ball colours, when I used the 60-30-10 decorating method when decorating my living room recently. The deep shade instantly made my living room feel more luxe, especially by night, when it feels brooding and ambient.
(Image credit: Tamara Kelly)
What accessories make a living room look expensive?
Small home accessories aren’t just a great way to add personality to your home; they can also increase the luxurious feel of your space.
“Use cushion covers in rich fabrics like velvet, boucle, or heavy linen. Choose larger rugs in neutral tones or subtle patterns. Install full-length curtains in weighty materials for a luxe feel,” explains Kunal.
“Opt for decorative trays to organise coffee tables or sideboards, paired with elegant accessories like candles, vases or bowls. Add sculptural or oversized lamps with a well-shaped shade,” he adds.
Kunal also recommends including large-format wall art, framed generously, or creating a simple gallery with cohesive tones and layout.
Before doing anything to your space, we can’t recommend decluttering your living room enough. As a central spot in your home, it’s often the most common place to collect random junk and discarded belongings. So, keeping this space tidy should always be the first step!
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