The word “luxury”, in all honesty, isn’t used very often at our house (ok, never).
Because I don’t use the word “luxury” to describe that, I often clean up the crushed Goldfish Olivia left on my living room floor and look for furniture at local thrift shops to fill in the spaces I haven’t yet filled.
But it seems that when people come to our house for cookouts, family reunions, or any other gathering on a random weekend, that is the first word that comes to their minds. This is a clever trick, but it’s a great trick. We are all learning to accept that looks can deceive us.
You can add a few touches of high-end materials wherever you can.
At high-end furniture stores or yard sales, you can find leather, marble, antique, gold, crystal, and solid wood. Could you keep your eyes open for it?
This solid wood, marble-topped chest I found for a steal at Craigslist. I added this gold Amelie mirror to it. We look pretty fancy with a few books and a thrift store statutes. I also added some $3 spray roses from my local grocery store.
Balance your lighting.
To make a space feel more elegant, place lamps all around the room. A room that relies solely on overhead lighting can make it feel sterile and uninviting. A lamp placed on the foyer chest is a great way to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, especially in winter.
Use your photos to create large-scale art.
It can feel cluttered and disorganized if you have a single 8×10 frame on a large wall. If you choose to go gallery wall and hang multiple smaller frames on a wall, it can feel chaotic and cluttered.
If you are unsure, go big. You can print an 8×10 right from your computer to make your photo look high-end and special. You can also buy large mats to place in frames 10×13 and 16×20. You should go big if you like a piece. You’ll have a huge impact, but it will still feel smooth and calm.
Could you keep it simple?
You can use colors and textures in accessories and accents to change the look of large items that are difficult to update, such as wall colors and furnishings. It is much easier to change the look of a room than repainting or replacing large pieces.
It’s impossible to find classic items that go out of fashion, so you can be sure they will last many years even if you spend a lot.
Use metallics to add a touch of elegance.
A small accent piece can make a big impact with some glamour. To help reflect light, add a candle. You can use a mirrored tray to hold a pair of brass candlesticks or add a silver accent to a vignette. Or, if you’re looking for something more, go through your decor stash and see what you can spray paint.
Light a candle to end a stressful day.
After a tough week, I love to light a candle on the coffee table or the kitchen counter. Although it’s not a huge luxury, I find it makes me feel more relaxed to make dinner or watch Netflix late at night with Robert while our living room is lit with candles.
High contrast is a good idea.
Since moving in, we’ve been using the dark darks and brights paint scheme. It’s our new favorite way of making any space feel more dramatic. It has brought life to our hallway bathroom, laundry area, and dining room.
You don’t have to paint whole rooms, but you do not need to paint the doors. Instead, use charcoal or black paint to give your room a chic look. This trick transformed our living room in a matter of minutes.
