Many people dream of luxury interior design, but it could take up much of their remodelling budget. Your house’s interior should mirror your persona, optimise the space and radiate good energy, but doing so and keeping it high-end and classy could end up breaking the bank.
Fortunately, designing your home to replicate a luxury feel doesn’t always have to be expensive. Calculated, conscious and thoughtful choices can make a big difference in creating an opulent and elegant space.
Tips for Affordable Luxury Living
A luxurious home is what dreams are made of. However, many might look at the price tag of top-line furniture and believe they’ll never get the chance to experience it. Fortunately, there are ways to adopt luxury interior design in your home without worrying about the cost.
Declutter and Conquer
This may be the simplest rule in the book. A luxury interior should be well-maintained. One way to do it is by organising and decluttering.
Luxurious houses have one thing in common: tidiness. Organising items and responsibly getting rid of anything that isn’t serving its purpose will give the room an elegant look, increase space and improve its energy. Focus on retaining things that have aesthetic value and serve a purpose.
Make It Smart
A sustainable home features automation that contributes to energy efficiency. You can achieve this using smart devices like plugs, thermostats and lights. For example, smart plugs can keep appliances from using energy when not in use, which accounts for 20% of your monthly bill. These products can provide more centralised control, allow timer settings and accentuate the luxury design experience.
Opt for smart devices and see how they transform your house and reduce your expenses. Many affordable devices are available to choose from.
Invite Nature In
Plants bring character and colour to a room and promote better air quality — and they’re affordable. Add them to bookshelves or place them in wall planters. Large indoor plants are also a good choice when adding sophistication to your space without denting your wallet, but choose pots that complement your aesthetics. Remember, the need for water, sunlight and care varies by plant, so choose those you can commit to.
In addition to plants, natural lighting can also improve your interior. Move furniture and shelves to make way for windows and doors. This makes the space look bigger, accentuates the colours present in the room and improves your family’s well-being.
Manoeuvre With Maths
Maths come in handy in daily life, including interior design. Here are some ways to optimise your design with numbers:
- The 70/30 Rule: Make rooms visually appealing by decorating 70% in the central theme and 30% in a different one to make the space look classy. If your main look is minimalistic, go for a heavier side theme to strike a balance.
- The Golden Ratio: Design your space according to a 60:40 or 60:30:10 rule for an elegant interior. For example, your seating arrangement should occupy 60% of the living area, leaving 40% for walking space. The room would look overdone if your sofa takes up more than 60%, affecting the elegant aesthetic.
- The Power of Three: Experts say grouping your decor items into three at a time would make them more elegant and improve balance. These could be items of the same shape, colour or function, or you could go crazy and group different items like a chair, vase and table. Keep this in mind when you go interior shopping to pick items that go together.
Inspiration for Luxury on a Budget
How can you invest in luxury items without breaking the bank? The answer is much simpler than you think. From lush rugs to elegant chandeliers and unique artwork, enhancing your home with sophisticated design is easy and affordable with the proper sourcing.
1. Rugs
Rugs ground a bedroom, living room or dining room. You can even lay runners in the kitchen or add mats to a bathroom. Look for affordable options at thrift stores and online retailers. Gumtree is another place to find secondhand, quality rugs on a budget.
2. Decorative Pillows and Blankets
Accent pillows and throw blankets elevate a sofa or bed beautifully, adding pops of colour and changing the overall look of a room to something more upscale. Search for inexpensive textiles at specialty houseware stores, secondhand shops, thrift stores and marketplaces. Buying pillow covers and using your existing pillows as inserts may also be cheaper.
3. Wall Sconces
Sconces are often an overlooked design element for your home, but they still lean luxe. You can find elegant and stylish wall sconces at home stores like Ikea or online retailers. Keep an eye out for discounts and sales to make them more cost-friendly.
4. Wall Art and Mirrors
Paintings, photographs, mirrors and gallery walls make a statement and reflect your unique tastes. Online marketplaces like Bluethumb and Art Lovers Australia are excellent sources for art on a budget. Thrift stores, antique shops and estate sales may also carry the perfect painting or mirror for your home.
5. Lighting
Lighting makes all the difference in your home, whether you install pendant lights over the kitchen island or hang an ornate chandelier in a dining room or luxurious walk-in closet. Search online retailers for discounts and clearance items. You can also stop by an antique mall for inexpensive vintage options.
Building a High-End Home on a Budget
Affordable luxury interior design is perfectly attainable with the right steps and tricks. You can elevate your decor by emphasising space and accessories to mimic high-end spaces without breaking the bank.