Cheaper things to make my house look more expensive?

[PersephoneParlormaid]

What are cheaper things ( as in cheaper than an interior designer and having work done) that I can do to make my house look more luxurious?
As an example, my plug covers are white and 20 years old, and I’ve thought of replacing them with metal, but colours and fashions change so fast that I feel like it’s a waste.

Personally, I would vote for stuff that you touch. Yes, plug sockets (I honestly don't think fashions in plug sockets change that quickly if you go for something fairly classic). But also light switches, taps, door handles. Good quality hardware that looks and feels nice.

Wall lights, getting rid of clutter, woodwork that isn't gloss white, curtains that reach the floor

Oh interesting question!

I did put some black metal toggle light switches in the bedrooms last year - so satisfying to use and don’t think they scream 2024? Time will tell… Also changed some cheap old white sockets for cheap new white sockets that weren’t cracked or covered in paint spatter. (Aside: the screws for the new sockets were a slightly different size to the 1990s back box screw holes so had to reuse the old screws.)

I made some extension leads using braided cable because the ones I’d had for years were greying/yellowing and decidedly not lux. I imagine it’s possible to do the same for any table lamps you still like but which could do with cheering up.

Don’t know if this is lux or just making it look cleaner but painting the window frames in my bedroom was a massive lift (they realllllly needed it, hopefully yours aren’t in such a state). Replacing sealant in the bathroom that was past its best was also 🪄

Im converting back to white gloss as tried the Matt/eggshell/satin look for a while but recently did a rooms woodwork in water based gloss and it looks great

Table lamps, overstuffed cushions, round mirrors instead of square or rectangular, marquetry picture frames.

Hardware as pp said & nice sockets & switches. Decent radiators, don't have to be super expensive but not the basic ones. Layers of lightening, pendants, wall lights, table lights etc rather than dozens of spotlights.

ambient lighting - lots of wall/table/floor lamps

brass wall switches - toggles are particularly nice imo

Colour drenching - painting wood work skirting/door frames/window sills same colour as the walls - there is no earthly reason why it needs to be shiny white

I can't stand statement electric sockets and switches. I think it's far classier to have them all plain white and as simple as possible so they blend into the background. Subtle stuff. I specifically chose a fused wall switch for my hob that didn't have the big red switch, but had a small led that went red when on and was invisible when off. It's all about understated quality for me.

I think regular white sockets for plugs, hidden extension cables if necessary ,wires hidden as much as possible, large healthy plants in nice plant pots, oversized round mirrors (altho’ this may be a trend on reflection), we bought nice solid door knobs from Rowen and Wren (very twee marketing but nice door knobs), hidden storage/ declutter so shelves not overcrowded and surfaces clear, different heights and sources of light. I think brightness is nice in a home so I choose white walls and white seersucker bedding. But all our towels are navy. Fresh eucalyptus smell is lovely IMHO.
I like our curtains but admire my neighbours’ shutters for privacy. I think these look classier than the opaque glass. . Comfy seating. Things looking deliberate so things in a room match in colour or style- same metal finish etc:

Love the idea of your small on switch. Ours are hidden in a cupboard for same reason. Electrician who worked on my downstairs tried to save me money (to pay his large bills) by buying awful fixtures. I picked up on most of them but regret the few that slipped through. Our kitchen has a hidden charging cupboard and a hidden appliances cupboard where we also store our toaster/bread. Hot water tap so no kettle on counter.

ALL door handles matching. Went to view a house about 2 years ago and noticed how polished the house look but couldn’t put my finger on why, when we viewed upstairs I noticed it was because all the door handles matched and it was at that point I realised I don’t think I I’ve ever been in a house where they all match before….:it screamed luxury! Now all my door handles matched and I will admit I absolutely love it!

I am so pleased to hear this!! All our door knobs, kitchen cupboard and storage cupboard knobs now match. Maybe someone other than me will notice!

Lighting! Invest in good lighting! And nice art on the walls. It can be just prints which are not expensive.
But rather than looking expensive, your house would benefit more from showing your personality and things that make it unique. I find homes that have a warm and welcome feel way nicer than those that have this opulent feeling.

I need to have a new kitchen soon, and I think I’ll have one of those fancy coffee cupboards, where the machine etc is all stored away. I might have a light coming in when I open the door.
i saw a TikTok recently where the Eufy was fitted to take itself into the kitchen cupboard.

For me "real" materials is the big thing. Wood or tile, not laminate flooring. Cotton or linen, not polyester curtains. Wood or metal, not MDF cupboards. Glass or bamboo or porcelain storage, not plastic.

I agree about the real materials, although I’m considering going rogue and having lvt on my bathroom floor. The tiles on a bathroom floor (the grout, especially) can look very grungy quickly, especially if they’re a pale shade. I’ve time to clean the floor but not to be scrubbing floor grout regularly.

I’ve got dark grey grout in between my white/grey tiles, it makes the grey in the tiles pop.

I agree, I’m currently thinking of swapping my bedroom furniture to solid wood, just need to find something I like. I went into that Oak Furniture shop but wasnt impressed. There was no one else in there and I did wonder if it’s a front for something illegal!

The full length curtains look nice but they’d cover my radiators, so wouldn’t the heat just go out of the windows?

Sweep the front step and plant a couple of colourful planters.
Dust/ wash door panelling, interior and exterior.
A clear dining table with a vase of fresh flowers.
Minimal kitchen clutter.

Yes, I think so.

You could have dress curtains that are full length but not intended to be closed, then have blinds - or shutters - if that was your preference.

Like @Spunspun my OH, who worked in interior design for years, says that the things you handle should be of the best quality you can afford, so we've always chosen high end taps and door furniture/knobs, for example. Our kitchen tap was so expensive (and no longer available) that we actually swapped it out before marketing our last house in order to be able to use it in the kitchen of our new home!

I'm a sucker for designer fabrics/textiles which I think make a property look good. I source large designer remnants for curtains and cushions etc and always interline the curtains/use feather pads in the cushions which take things up a notch imo.

I don't necessarily believe that having all finishes or colours match/coordinating makes a space look more expensive, but that's because we prefer a more evolved look.

You can have the hanging at each side and then use a blind instead of closing the curtains. I hate it when they put radiators under windows, but I'm renting so I can't change them.