7 cheap upgrades that make people assume you paid a top notch decorator

You don’t need a designer’s eye—or their invoice—to make your home look professionally styled. The secret is knowing which small upgrades give you the biggest return visually. These aren’t major remodels or weekend-long projects. They’re affordable tweaks that pull a room together and make it feel like someone with a design degree had a hand in it.

The best part? Each one costs less than a dinner out, but the impact can make your space look completely transformed.

Swap out cheap-looking light fixtures

Lighting sets the tone for a room, and outdated or builder-grade fixtures are a dead giveaway that no designer was involved. Switching to something with character—like a linen drum shade, a globe pendant, or a matte black sconce—instantly makes the space feel curated.

You can find stylish fixtures for under $70 at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, or even Amazon. Focus on clean shapes and warm light bulbs to make your space feel intentional and high-end.

Frame your art and photos

Bare prints or mismatched frames make a space feel unfinished. Framing your art—even affordable prints—adds polish instantly. Stick with cohesive frame colors throughout your home, like natural wood, black, or gold.

If you don’t want to spend much, look at thrift stores or IKEA for budget frames, then add custom mats for a designer touch. The consistency and presentation make your walls look styled, not thrown together.

Upgrade your curtain setup

One of the easiest ways to make your space look professionally styled is to hang curtains higher and wider than the window. It makes the ceilings look taller and the room more balanced.

Skip the thin rods and flimsy panels. Instead, go for thicker curtains (Target and Amazon have good budget options) and use curtain clips for that “custom” drape effect. The difference is dramatic—and the total cost usually comes in under $60.

Use matching lamps instead of random lighting

Designers love symmetry. Matching lamps on nightstands, end tables, or even a console table create that balanced, intentional look. It’s a trick that instantly makes a space feel put together.

You can grab two lamps for under $50 if you watch for sales. Look for ceramic or glass bases and fabric shades—nothing shiny or plastic. The soft, even light they cast helps your room feel cozy but elevated.

Add oversized pillows and new inserts

Flat, undersized throw pillows can make even nice furniture look tired. Go for larger pillow covers—think 22×22 instead of 18×18—and fill them with down or down-alternative inserts that are one size bigger for that plush designer feel.

Stores like H&M Home and IKEA sell budget-friendly covers, and quality inserts are worth every penny. That extra volume makes your sofa or bed look layered and luxe without a full makeover.

Hide cords and clutter

No designer would leave cords snaking across the floor or remotes scattered on the coffee table. Tuck cords behind furniture or use cord covers, and corral small items into baskets or lidded boxes.

You don’t need to go minimalist—just organized. Once the visual clutter is gone, your home instantly looks calmer and more polished. It’s one of those upgrades that costs next to nothing but changes everything about how a space feels.

Add greenery in real planters

Every designer swears by greenery for a reason—it softens hard edges and brings life to a room. The trick is to skip the plastic pot and replant into something that looks intentional, like a woven basket or ceramic planter.

Even a $10 grocery store plant can look expensive with the right pot. Group two or three in varying heights for balance, and you’ll have a setup that looks styled by someone who knows what they’re doing.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.