How to copy the look of high-end homes for under $100

You don’t need a designer budget to make your home look expensive. A lot of the high-end look comes down to clean lines, cohesive color choices, and thoughtful details—things you can absolutely pull off on a budget. With $100 or less, you can mimic the kind of updates that make those model homes and magazine spreads feel finished. It’s less about buying trendy decor and more about knowing where to spend your money so it actually looks elevated.

Use Oversized Art or a Large Mirror

High-end homes rarely leave big walls blank. They fill them with oversized art or a large mirror that feels intentional and adds visual weight. You can copy that by grabbing a printable download online and framing it in a thrifted or IKEA frame.

Another trick is using wall decals or wallpaper samples to create a single bold piece of “art.” For mirrors, check discount stores or marketplace listings—people often give them away. You only need one statement piece in the right spot to make the whole room feel elevated.

Add Color to Doors or Trim

A fresh coat of paint on the interior side of a door or on your baseboards can give a custom feel fast. High-end spaces don’t always use standard white everywhere. Deep greens, rich grays, or greige tones are often used to add contrast and weight.

One quart of good-quality paint is enough to do a bathroom door and all the trim. Tape carefully and use a small foam roller for the smoothest finish. It’s a small change with a big impact, especially in rooms that feel flat or dated.

Replace Cheap-Looking Lampshades

Swapping out a basic or dingy lampshade can completely change how a lamp looks. Drum shades with cleaner lines tend to read more expensive, especially in linen or textured finishes.

You don’t need to replace the whole lamp. Thrift stores are great for lamp bases, and big box stores usually sell better shades for under $20. Match the shade size to the base, and keep the color light and neutral for the most high-end look.

Match Your Hardware Finishes

One of the things that makes a space feel more polished is consistency. Mismatched finishes on knobs, curtain rods, and light fixtures make a space feel thrown together. Choose one finish—like matte black, brushed brass, or nickel—and stick with it in that area.

You can buy packs of knobs online for cheap, or even spray-paint the ones you already have. The key is to make the pieces you see together look like they were chosen on purpose, even if they were pieced together on a budget.

Use Matching Containers in Open Spaces

Open shelving or bathroom counters instantly look neater when everything is stored in matching containers. Think glass jars for cotton balls, labeled canisters for pantry items, or woven baskets under the sink.

Dollar stores, IKEA, and even Amazon basics all have options that won’t blow your budget. Stick with one material or color scheme to keep things cohesive. Matching doesn’t mean boring—it means intentional, which is what higher-end spaces always go for.

Hang Curtains High and Wide

Nothing brings down a room faster than short curtains or a rod mounted too close to the window frame. High-end homes use height to their advantage by placing curtain rods 4 to 6 inches above the window and extending them past the sides.

You can find affordable 84″–96″ curtain panels that skim the floor if you measure correctly. Don’t be afraid to hem or use iron-on tape to adjust length. Even sheer or budget panels look upscale when they’re hung the right way.

Stick to a Tight Color Palette

High-end interiors rarely go wild with color. They pick a palette and keep it consistent—usually 2-3 main colors plus neutrals. That doesn’t mean everything matches, but it all works together.

Take inventory of what you already have, then choose one or two anchor colors to build around. You don’t have to repaint the whole room. Even $30 worth of throw pillow covers, candles, or art in your chosen palette can bring the space together fast.

Swap Out Light Switch Covers and Vents

Old beige switch plates, cracked outlet covers, and rusty air vents cheapen a space fast. High-end homes pay attention to these little details. Replacing them with clean white or matte black versions can make everything look sharper.

They’re cheap and easy to install with a screwdriver, and it doesn’t take much time. If you’ve already painted and cleaned up the rest of the space, this small touch can be what tips it from “okay” to “put together.”

Layer with a Throw Blanket and Textured Pillow Covers

One of the easiest ways to make a room feel styled is by adding texture in layers. A folded throw blanket on the corner of a chair or bed, plus 1–2 pillow covers in natural fabrics like linen or boucle, can make even budget furniture feel high-end.

Look for covers rather than full pillows—those are cheaper and easier to switch out. Stick with neutral tones or rich, earthy shades like camel, olive, or charcoal. Texture does the work that color sometimes can’t.

Clean and Re-Caulk the Bathroom

Nothing makes a bathroom look neglected like stained grout and peeling caulk. Scrub the tile with a good cleaner, re-caulk around the tub or sink, and touch up any spots that look worn.

You’ll spend less than $10 on supplies, but the room will instantly feel fresher and more expensive. High-end homes are clean and well-maintained more than they are trendy, and you can always copy that for cheap.

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