To ask what makes a home look luxurious/posh/modern?

[minniemummy0]

No matter how hard I try I can’t seem to get our home looking as nice as some of my friends. There’s just something I can’t put my finger on. So far I’ve worked out some common things - such as new, clean, plush carpets, or candles burning. For some reason they all seem to have an L shaped sofa. What makes you really feel “wowed” by someone’s home??

And I agree that much of it is about proportions of rooms and ceiling heights and location matters too - so a nice front garden and front entrance. Hallways can make a big difference too.

There's not a lot you can do about the proportions of your house. If you live in a new build, it's likely that the rooms are small and the garden too and when you look out, you can see lots of other houses all very nearby. All fine, but you're not going to be able to develop a sense that your house is on an estate and the rooms are palatial.

Decorating and fitting out in an appropriate way for the architecture and age of your home is important. The 2 bed terrace I knew that had a panne led stair way and a suit of armour (yes really) just looked daft. Trying to give a cottagey feel to a new build seems a waste of time, as the proportions won't be right - so accept the limitations of the style of home you live in and work with those.

Buy an approachable interiors magazine like Ideal Home regularly to help you. It's good on how to use colour, pattern and texture together

I think lighting is important! Mine isn't great at the minute either! Want a bigger and better house before I work on it!

Purple it looks like mass produced Kelly happen that photo.

Here's my idea of posh modern interiors - I think you need a vast space and great views help. Alternatively, a very careful design with every sq cm thought through.

I can't imagine a bog standard 3 bed house ever looking posh.

I don't like the luxe look at all: too shiny and glossy. I like light and space, pale wood and tactile softly coloured textiles.

Some pics

Lack of clutter and a coherent colour scheme

It feels different because it's yours so you see every imperfection when you don't see them in houses you visit. I have this issue too, an overwhelming of a feeling that my house isn't a 'proper' house even though I know it's ridiculous.

quick I totally disagree it's about the house had house size.
I have been on new build large 5 bed house done out like purples photo.. Grey shiny carpets, super shiny tile floors, silver etc.. And then I have been in deep terrace house London Notting hill that's dripping with real amazing oil paintings, plush Persian rugs, gorgeous lights, furniture.. That seemed far more posh, owned by eclectic well travelled family, creative etc..

Low, ambient lighting helps to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. I love big lamps. Mostly you see lamps that are just too small.
Curtains/blinds made from thick, textured fabrics, not skimping on the width or length.
Well padded & plumped cushions in different but coordinating colours, patterns and textures.
Big rugs, if the floors are wooden or laminate. Again, don't skimp on size.
Original art, if you can afford it or find it reasonably priced. Doesn't have to be a big name artist at all.

Solid furniture, nothing Ikea-esque.
Deep skirting boards.
Individual occasional furniture, not too matching.
I'd love to be an interior designer, spending lots & lots of other people's money!

I agree with lots that’s already been said- that posh, luxurious and modern are different things, that you definitely notice the flaws in your own home more than in other people’s, but most of all that you need to work with the property you have.

We live in a stone cottage build in the 1700s with very thick walls and exposed brickwork. It would be a nightmare for many people but we love it and embrace it- lots of lamps and different textures to make the rooms cosy and highlighting the best features, like the brick vaulted ceiling and the trefoil shapes windows.

The other parents at DS’s school all favour new builds with ultra modern interiors, which works for them as they suit the property.

And of course terraced house in Notting hill probably worth more than the larger 5 bed detached.

The thing is even with smaller house, largely houses will have smaller room unless all open-plan

Jo I like the your last pic of the three

Books. Nice orderly bookcases are lovely. I know people read on kindles these days. But a well ordered bookcase full of volumes that have obv been read is a treat
Nice lighting
Sofas. I am fifty and have just splashed out on some lovely Ercol sofas accented with Wallace and Sewell throws. And I feel I've finally made it in life! Previously hand me downs and cheap Ikea.

I agree that homes feel nice if the people are nice, and it reflects them, whatever their taste is.

I'm not crazy about massive TVs, I like heavy, good quality doors, a decently made bookcase, nice floors. No 'statement' stuff or too matchy-matchy.

The photo upthread with the mirror and hallway is exactly what I don't like actually (we're all so different aren't we?!) - it looks a bit faux and fussy to me?

As a guest I don't mind messy homes one bit, but I do appreciate a shined tap and a clean bathroom!

I do have friend with a show house, her husband is a control freak, shes a neurotic mess, and the poor kids just looks at the disinterested father and drunk of a mother and hide in their bedrooms

Wow, if that's what you say about your friends, what the hell do you say about your enemies? 😱

Lighting and textures I’d say.
Candles, lamps etc.
Velvets/furs in the cushions and curtains.
I’m thinking of my friend who has a really gorgeous tasteful looking house. Her colours ( on the walls, floors and fixtures) are all one palette. Different shades, different intensities but it makes the public rooms look pulled together.

I think either not having children or when, if you do have the little dears, it’s when they are old enough to not have toys and spend their lives in their rooms. Since this happened in my house, it’s tidy, put together, I can have furnishings that I don’t have to spend my life worrying about...

It does for me have a lot to do with lighting, lack of clutter, a coherent scheme if you like with fabrics that don’t look really cheap and the height of fashion (no flowery, see through yet apparently lined curtains). I have a huge mirror that’s plain and not faux silver/antique job. I still have a huge bare wall (plain white) that I’m trying to find the right artwork for, absolutely none of these canvases with flowers on that give me the shivers or any slogans in swirly writing.
I always have fresh flowers in a vase too.

Now if I could shave the dog so she didn’t leave fur everywhere it’d be perfect

Real furniture. You know furniture that arrives as a fully made piece and which has never seen an alan key.

Oh and we do have a big tv (wasn’t my choice) because my husband might shrivel up and die if he can’t watch the cricket and rugby on a screen that’d be better on the wall of a pub 🙄

I find if you cant put your finger on what makes a room look so good then its generally the lighting. You need various sources and strengths and dimmers if you can manage it. Downlighters in bookshelves, not too much use of ceiling lights etc

JoJoSM2 I appreciate your pics- but to my tastes these interiors look ghastly.
Too much of a corporate/ upmarket hotel look about them.

Thing is OP yo should spend less time thinking about other people's tastes and more about yours.

Some people like lots of patterns, colours, soft furnishings, others love clean lines, shiny surfaces, uncluttered. Some /modern/traditional/whacky.

It's your home.

Yes, fresh flowers are always good. I don't like very 'arranged' flowers though with twigs sticking out and so on. I like a plain vase with one type of seasonal flower that looks as though it's just been snipped from the garden, even if it hasn't...daffodils or roses or something.

CoraPirbright yes I agree about lighting.

Crucial no matter what style,

And it needn't be expensive or complicated. Just a few lamps/overheads or ambient lights can make a huge difference to any style.