“Luxury isn’t about price, it’s about tricking the eye,” says Emily Henderson , bestselling author of Styled. She proved it by transforming her $300 apartment.
The first step is to regenerate old furniture.
Sofa with worn upholstery? Buy fabric from IKEA and cover it yourself. Don't know how to sew? Use decorative throws or paint the wooden parts of the furniture gold.
Reader Marina from St. Petersburg admitted: “I repainted the legs of the chairs – the guests think they are from a designer collection!”
The second secret is light. Replace the chandelier with pendant lights from a second-hand store.
For example, Art Deco sconces can be found for next to nothing and then spray painted.
“The light should fall at a 45-degree angle – this will make the interior seem more expensive,” advises designer Ryan Korban .
Another life hack is LED strips behind the TV or along the baseboards. Reader Ivan from Yekaterinburg wrote: “I installed lighting under the bed – the room looks like a hotel room!”
The third point is textiles. A couple of velvet pillows or a woolen blanket will instantly add coziness.
Designer Jeanne Lee advises: “Choose fabrics with contrasting piping – this creates the illusion of expensive finishing.”
The fourth technique is accents. A gold photo frame, a gilded vase, or even brass cabinet handles change the perception of space. “Metal is the spice in the dish called interior,” jokes Lee .
Where to look for inspiration and materials:
- Flea markets: vintage frames, mirrors, ceramics.
- AliExpress: cheap lamps, handles, decor.
- H&M Home: stylish textiles at a price 30% lower than designer analogues.
As Henderson says, "Expensive isn't always about the receipts. Sometimes it's about the details that make your heart beat faster."
Author: Elena Shimanovskaya