Uplift Your Decor

Add touches of luxury to your home without spending a fortune

by Hallie House

Have you had your eye on some silk draperies to die for? Or dreamed of sleeping on 600 thread count, Egyptian cotton sheets? Do you long for marble floors in yourmaster bathroom? According to Claire Ownby, prominent interior designer and the owner of Ownby Design, LLC, you can add touches of luxury to your home without spending a fortune. These resourceful ideas will help you do just that.

GET CREATIVE

Creativity is the key to maximizing your budget and achieving luxury for less. Pay a visit to your local fabric store. Most sell small remnants of high-end fabric at discounted prices, and these remnants can make beautiful pillows or accent pieces. Add lace trim or crystal tassels to pillows, throws and even lampshades to give them a unique and luxurious feel. This is also a great way to personalize your décor.

If you're looking for the luxury of an upholstered headboard but can't find room in your budget to buy one, learn to make it yourself or find someone who can help you. Local craft stores have instruction books for a variety of projects that are sure to bring out your innermost interior decorator.

GREEN THUMB

Use greenery to add warmth and freshness to your home. Although it can be time-consuming to keep them healthy, a few plants can add finesse to your decor. Silk plants will have the same effect but tend to be pricier. If strategically placed, plants can hide undesirable room flaws such as air return vents or electrical outlets.

WALL COLOR AND TEXTURE

Painting is one of the most affordable ways to make over your space. A fresh coat of paint can have a significant impact on the look of your home. Used correctly, paint can create an optical illusion, making a room look either larger or cozier. A special paint treatment can add texture and depth to your space as well. For example, choose stripes or a simple floral design for an accent wall, and apply a glaze for a final coat to give it the appearance of wallpaper.

LIGHTEN UP

Don't underestimate the importance of good lighting. The wrong lighting can exaggerate flaws, change the colors of a décor item from a visual perspective, or worse, make a great space appear drab and outdated. Experiment with the lighting in your rooms until you achieve the effect you desire.

Adequate lighting can soften any space and create a warm mood. Having proper lighting in your home not only makes the rooms seem warmer and more welcoming, lighting also acts as a decorative touch that can create an upscale and pulled-together look without much cost.

RE-EVALUATE

Rearrange your furniture. This is a great way to get maximum impact without spending any money. Try different configurations for your furniture layout, such as placing furniture away from the walls or at an angle. If placed correctly, rearranged furniture can make it seem as if you bought new furniture.

Take inventory of your current home décor. You may be surprised at how much furniture you actually have throughout your home. If you have a cozy loveseat in your bedroom collecting old clothes and dust, try moving it into your living room to help create a perfect conversation area. Or, if you have furniture pieces in good condition and still functional, give them a facelift. Re-upholster a worn-out sofa or strip the paint on an armoire and stain or paint it to make it look new again.

While you may not be ready to invest in a total remodeling or redecorating project, a few low-cost additions can transform a room into a space with a much more luxurious feel. A costeffective room makeover will bring new energy into your home and give you even more reasons to love where you live.

Hallie House is a Public Relations Coordinator for McMurry in Phoenix Arizona, representing Ownby Design, LLC, a full service design company specializing in unique, high-end homes.