10 décor trends that look like a fortune but aren’t

You don’t have to spend like a millionaire to make your house look like you hired a designer. The trick is knowing which décor trends actually pull their weight visually without draining your bank account. Many high-end looks are surprisingly affordable when you focus on scale, finishes, and thoughtful swaps. These ideas will make your rooms look like they belong in a magazine—without the price tag.

Built-In Bookcases (Without the Built-In Price)

Custom built-ins can cost thousands, but you can mimic the look by hacking IKEA Billy bookcases or adding trim around freestanding shelves. Paint everything the same color as your walls, and it suddenly looks intentional. Buyers and guests alike see “custom” when really it was an afternoon project and some caulk.

Extra-Large Area Rugs

Most people undersize their rugs, which makes a room feel small and cheap. Choosing a bigger rug—even an inexpensive one—anchors the room and instantly feels more high-end. Look for 9×12 options in neutral patterns at places like Rugs USA or Wayfair. It gives that “designer layered” look without layering at all.

Ceiling Medallions

A ceiling medallion around a basic light fixture adds instant architectural detail. These can be found for under $50 at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Pair one with even a simple flush mount, and it suddenly feels like you splurged on custom millwork.

Matching Hardware Across Rooms

Instead of mixing and matching knobs, pulls, and hinges all over the house, unify them. When door handles, hinges, and knobs match in finish, it feels cohesive and expensive. This swap doesn’t cost much but it screams intentional design.

Upholstered Headboards

An upholstered headboard adds a “hotel” feel to a bedroom, even when the rest of the furniture is basic. Affordable options from Target, Wayfair, or secondhand finds you reupholster with fabric look just as luxe as designer versions.

Accent Ceilings

We talk about accent walls, but ceilings are an overlooked design trick. Painting the ceiling a shade darker than the walls or adding a wood-look peel-and-stick paneling makes the room look like it got a designer’s touch. Done right, it adds depth and cost without the price.

Statement Doors

Interior doors are often ignored, but swapping a plain hollow-core door for a paneled or French door changes the whole feel. Even painting doors in a darker, moody color (navy, charcoal, forest green) makes the home feel custom and high-end.

Glass Cabinet Fronts

In kitchens or dining spaces, replacing a couple of cabinet doors with glass-front versions creates a higher-end look. If you can’t afford a swap, you can even DIY by removing the panel and adding glass or plexiglass. When styled neatly, it feels far more expensive than it is.

Oversized Lampshades

Instead of small, standard lampshades, go for oversized or drum-style shades. Proportion is what makes them look designer. You can even swap shades on thrifted lamps to give them a completely different presence in the room.

Matching Frames for Gallery Walls

Gallery walls can look cluttered if frames are mismatched. Choosing matching frames—even inexpensive ones—creates that uniform, “gallery” effect that feels expensive. A dozen $10 frames hung neatly has more impact than one pricey piece of art.

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