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??

You can get some great ideas from interiors magazines by looking at room sets or in shops (I love the Oka shop in Chelsea). Try and look at what will work in your house - so similar shaped rooms or similar features. I don’t think you have to spend loads of money, but you can get ideas from expensive brands and then source something cheaper but similar. I love This chair from Ikea for instance. While clean, tidy and clutter free is good, you can take it too far so it looks sterile and soulless. It doesn’t all have to match and too many neutrals can look bland.

That photo of a glamorous hallway just looks very Footballers' Wives to me. No doubt expensive but too matchy matchy, sterile and bling.

I like:
Subtle lighting
Clean
Clutter free
Chalky paints
Grey toned neutrals
Real fire
Pleasant aroma
Quiet background music
Original artwork
Natural fabrics
Top quality bed linens

This is like the posts that are on here about how to look 'posh'/rich/sloney etc! It's hard to put your finger on because it's about the X factor. My house ticks lots of boxes - lovely neutral F&B walls, plush throws, lovely new sofas, rugs, nice doors, big clock on the wall, stylish art etc BUT it definitely doesn't look posh or luxurious. I think you have to have the right foundations - beautiful windows for a start. A house will never look luxurious with white pvc double glazing!

To be honest it took me until I got into my 50s before I got my house “right”. Too many kids, not enough time and not enough budget before that
Some people found their way much quicker than I did. I designed a new kitchen about 20 years ago when I had 6 kids at home. It had two dishwashers which was my best idea ( one clean used as a cupboard and one dirty - being loaded). However then we ran out of budget and the breakfast bar had to be worktop propped up with horrible aluminium pole things. It worked though. Now with just two of us apart from uni holidays and occasional returner it would be a ridiculous arrangement.

Lack of clutter and a coherent colour scheme

The poshest home I've been in (belonging to titled people) was the opposite of a lot of advice here. Very cluttery effect with lots of antiques and patterns, wellies in the hall, mismatched artwork and ancient curtains and carpets with rips in them which had been patched up. The very opposite of minimal and modern. It was shabby and worn, but clear that the things in it had been passed down for centuries. Minimalist homes are very "new money"/footballers' wife.

harsh our wellies are in the kitchen.

For me, a quality finish. Nice internal fittings such as kitchen, fireplace, doors. Always professionally decorated. Fresh carpets and quality soft furnishings.

harshbuttrue1980 I agree.

OH's family is very posh- prominent Duke close relative, posh public school etc

I come from a very poor council scheme.

Visiting OHs relatives in a huge country pile - in was an eye opener.

Despite their millions and staff ( they have private areas of the property for themselves as the place is open to the public) their kitchen is piled with debris, hall is full of coats, wellies, dog fur, kitchen is piled with lots of lovely stuff but cluttered, half baked projects. Not hoarders, but simply living a busy life.

So I am simply questioning aspirations.

To "look " affluent? To appear to have " good taste".

Can someone explain?

What do you reckon is the expensive look for skirting boards and doors saucyjack?

Purple that looks like something stocked with products from B&M!

I think plenty of space, no clutter and some gorgeous sculptures..

Today I bought a squishy sofa from Sofology to replace my uncomfortable but stylish Ercol!!! LOL!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53398506.html has a posh bathroom

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-69877946.html
pictures 2 and 5 here are posh but the rest aren't.

Well yes, but this isn't about the wellies-in-the-sitting-room type of country posh; the OP said she's looking for 'luxurious/posh/modern' which is quite different.

I would rather have cosy and comfortable than anything else!

To me, luxurious is like a posh hotel- little clutter but the odd well placed impersonal picture, candle, etc; quiet carpets, soft bed.

Posh is layers of paint, old furniture, probably wooden floors (or that tartan carpet!), aga and other expensive appliances under layers of horse blankets and dogs!.

Modern is neutrals with brights, possibly laminate flooring, could be a bit grand designs, but could be a bit next directory!

I like a bit of cottagey chintzy clutter!

For me I think lots of natural fabrics and materials make a lot of difference. From wooden floors or wool carpets, window dressings - wooden shutters or curtains to cotton bed linen and plump feather cushions. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Also having a clean and tidy house. Storage for kids stuff so you can put it away when you have just adults around.

Art that’s nicely framed whether photos of places you’ve been or pictures that aren’t identikit from Ikea.

But it’s your home so whatever makes you happy.

A lovely house to me has lots of personality. So YES to decoration like stuff from your travels, big candlesticks, books, cool things your children have made, and lots of art on the walls (doesn't need to cost a fortune, lots of websites let you download art and show you how to do gallery walls). But NO to clutter, so good storage a must.

Also, a clean neutral base palette (e.g. pale grey walls, dark grey sofa, wooden furniture, for example) with lovely splashes of colour coming from your smaller pieces e.g. cushions, throws, ornaments, lamps - but not all 'matching' just complementing each other (pink/green or turqouise/yellow for example).

Plus lots of interesting different textures working together - i.e. leather chair, velvet sofa, sheepskin cushion, wool throw, metal pendant light, glass lamp, wooden coffee table etc. Lots of 'foliage' really helps this - ALL the nice houses on instagram/pinterst have indoor plants galore and often a vase of fresh flowers too.

A base colour that's not magnolia through out the house. Then accent colours that are on the same hue so don't clash.
Deep skirting and door surrounds.
Same flooring throughout whether carpet or hard flooring.
Well this is what I'm aiming for so I hope I'm right !

poster brizzledrizzle

Both ugly homes.

It’s definitely a matter of opinion and my home is full of stuff!
However carpets, furniture, walls, curtains are all fairly plain and neutral
Colour choice is yours and also depends on what suits your house age and style
I have lots of collections, but they are grouped together and the colours are sympathetic to the overall effect
Agree with others re good quality basics, every piece of furniture I own bar mattresses on beds is second hand, some modern antiques such as Ercol and G plan
I also like lots of lighting, candles, plants and always have at least one vase of flowers. This time of year it’s tulips, and a few bowls of hyacinths

brizzle I'm sorry but I honestly don't think that bathroom is posh at all. It looks magnolia and dated.

Harsh wasn't it supposed to have been said by Alan Clark that Michael Heseltine was the sort of person that had to buy his own furniture?

Op, as many others have said, if it's something you can't quite put your finger on, it's probably the lighting. Many years ago during one of our building projects, we had a very helpful session with a lovely member of staff in the John Cullen store on the Kings Road. It taught us so much about how important good lighting design is and what a difference it can make to the whole room. Think multiple layers of light from different sources such as downlights/pendants, lamps and uplighters at floor level, not forgetting natural light. It can create different moods and ambience depending on how you are using a room.
I want to scream when I see 'grids' of downlighters in newly developed expensive houses, that show a complete lack of imagination & attention to detail, despite the price tags for these houses.

we had a very helpful session with a lovely member of staff in the John Cullen store on the Kings Road

How lovely. XXXX

Solid wood, art, wood or carpet for floors (laminate is a bit 'first flat' IMO), interesting things picked up on travels or inherited rather than from Next, good lighting, cushions and throws. I have got a LOT of decent furniture by haunting the local auctions; you are up against dealers so they're thinking of their mark-up, leading to you to get things cheaper than in the shops. Lots of mid-century stuff coming from house clearances. My best bargain was an inlaid wood dining table seating six, extending to eight, with two carvers, six chairs (all with hand-done canvas work seats) and solid glass protective tops for the table and leaf - £50 plus fee and delivery...