Your choice of furniture sets the tone for your home, giving each room a special look and feel. But, unfortunately, it is not always possible to buy the most expensive and luxurious furniture on the market. Even if you have beautiful furniture, everything will deteriorate over time.
So how can you make your furniture look more expensive without spending a fortune? In this guide, we asked some top interior designers to share their ideas for making your furniture more appealing and adding value to your existing items. was provided. You can easily make your home look more expensive by adding a few thoughtful touches.
How to make furniture look more expensive
Many people focus on home decor, but giving your furniture some love is another way to spruce up your space. These simple ideas will help you make your living room look more luxurious or enhance the atmosphere of your bedroom without actually buying anything new.
1. First, take care of your furniture.
(Image credit: Emily Henderson/Sara Ligorria-Tramp)
“It may seem obvious, but the best way to make your furniture look classy and luxurious is to invest time in taking care of it,” says designer Kathy Kuo Home. CEO Kathy Kuo explains. “If you have upholstered furniture of any kind of specialty material, be sure to read up on proper cleaning methods. The same goes for rugs and decorative items such as pillows and blankets. Especially with high-quality materials. When you invest in made furniture, proper care and cleaning is a great way to keep it looking shiny and new for years to come.”
Cherie Lee, director of Cherie Lee Interiors, agrees: “Keep your furniture clean and dust-free, and be careful to avoid sunlight hitting it unevenly or discoloring it.” He warns us to be careful of the sun. This applies not only to fabrics, but also to wood, which can bleach or yellow over time when exposed to sunlight. ”
2. Fix small defects for maximum effect
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
It’s up to you what level of DIY you’re comfortable with, but learning how to fix small flaws in your furniture will instantly improve it and make it look more expensive. “Peeling paint, scratches, and stains can make your furniture look cheap. So if your furniture is starting to look shabby, give it a French polish or repaint to give it a new lease of life. ,” explains Sherry Lee.
Pippa Jameson, creative director, author and interior stylist at Pippa Jameson Interiors, says: “Start by addressing the imperfections. A fresh coat of varnish or paint on your furniture can work wonders.” He adds. She upgrades handles and knobs with sophisticated alternatives like brushed brass and distinctive custom designs that stand out as unique features. These simple changes will instantly increase the value of your furniture. ”
3. Elevate your work with just accessories
(Image credit: JARED KUZIA)
With carefully selected accessories, you can easily upgrade your existing furniture. “A few well-chosen, high-quality decorative items can enhance the overall look,” says interior designer Artem Kropovinsky, founder of Arsight.
Spending a little money on accessories is an easy way to add luxury and elegance to your furniture without spending a fortune. Nick Cryer, founder of Berkeley Place, suggests adding some cushioning. “To enhance the look of your furniture and make it seem more expensive, invest in high-quality, plush cushions with intricate details and rich textures.” Meanwhile, Cherry Lee says, “Furniture with style… It immediately looks more expensive and considered, but if expensive furniture isn’t styled well, it will struggle to shine,” she reminds us.
“And don’t forget to top your piece with quality accessories for display.” Accessorizing is key to finishing a space. ” added designer Amy Youngblood.
4. Easily refresh by switching hardware
(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)
Old furniture can be instantly transformed by adding small details or making small changes. As Artem Kropovinsky says, “Properly constructed joints and finishes speak louder.” From styling your bedroom to decorating your living room, there are plenty of little tips and tricks you can use to spice up your furniture.
“Adding beautiful hardware to older furniture can refresh the look by giving it a modern touch or complementing your existing style,” says Martha Lord, interior designer and co-founder of Borland Lord Design. says. This is a cost-effective way to enhance aesthetics and transform outdated items into a more contemporary or personalized look. ”
Amy Youngblood suggests several ways to make your furniture look more expensive. “The first step is to replace the hardware with high-quality, modern handles, etc. Second, we refinish or repaint it to remove any noticeable scratches or chips.”
5. Try reupholstering (or exposing the mechanism)
(Image credit: Cote de Folk)
Reupholstering furniture isn’t an easy DIY job, but it can make a big difference to your furniture, and it’s something you can do on your own if you’re just reupholstering the fabric.
Or, if you’re feeling particularly brave, check out designer Sophie Roswell, who revamped this old sofa by exposing some of the upholstery and giving it a very chic, modern, rustic look. please. The founder of Côtes de Folks says, “Unveiling the inner workings – Making upholstery and furniture is truly an art form and a true craftsmanship. Fear not – oak frames, traditional horsehair filling and every pin and thread are used to create a beautiful sofa.”
Should you consider purchasing new furniture?
If you have the budget and the furniture is irredeemable, it’s always worth considering new furniture. However, before spending money on a new one, you should also consider buying a used one. Antique furniture adds character to your home, giving a room a unique feel that can’t be easily imitated. Start by reading our article on mistakes to avoid when buying recycled furniture.
What should I pay attention to when buying furniture?
If you follow a few simple tips, you can find furniture that will make your home look more expensive and luxurious. Cherie Lee suggests, “Good proportions are key to making furniture look expensive.” If you’re wondering whether simplicity brings sophistication, you can’t go wrong with clean lines instead of clutter. Usually, if you’re worried about measurements, a large or oversized item will look better than something small that will instantly look out of place and cheap. ”
And Dara Phan, founder of Dara Maison, explains, “The key to making furniture look more expensive is craftsmanship and attention to detail.” Invest in items that exhibit flawless construction and unique design elements. Combine textures and materials to create depth and interest. ”
There are many easy ways to spruce up tired-looking furniture. It depends on how much you want to practice DIY. Painting worn-out wooden furniture is very easy and anyone can do it, but if you want to try reupholstering it, you’ll need more time, patience, and skill. And if you want to accessorize your creations without doing any DIY, consider adding new pillows or a throw to lift your furniture in seconds.
