You can’t afford what celebrities install — but you can fake the look for $60

Scroll through photos of celebrity homes, and you’ll notice something right away — their finishes look expensive. Every surface feels intentional, polished, and high-end. What you don’t see are the six-figure renovation budgets, the imported stone, and the custom millwork that make it happen.

Most of us can’t afford what they install, but you can get surprisingly close to the same look for around $60 if you know where to focus.

Lighting makes the biggest difference

Celebrities use layered lighting — recessed fixtures, pendants, sconces, and accent lamps — to control the mood of a room. The light itself makes everything else look richer. You might not be adding designer sconces anytime soon, but you can fake the same effect with LED puck lights or plug-in wall sconces.

Stick-on battery lights tucked under cabinets or mounted above artwork instantly make a room look more intentional. Even a $20 floor lamp with a warm-toned bulb can shift the entire feel of a space from dull to designed. Lighting is the fastest, most affordable way to create that “celebrity” atmosphere.

Hardware upgrades go a long way

If you pay attention to kitchens and bathrooms in celebrity homes, the metal finishes always match, and nothing looks builder-grade. They use brushed brass, matte black, or aged bronze — not shiny chrome. Swapping out knobs and pulls makes an instant impact.

You can get high-end-looking hardware for around $2–3 a piece on Amazon or at home improvement stores. Updating 20 handles might run you $40, but it can make an older kitchen look like it was just remodeled. Even spray-painting your existing hardware with a durable metallic finish can work in a pinch.

Paint changes the tone completely

Celebrities rarely have bright white walls. Their designers lean toward warmer, deeper neutrals that create contrast and mood. You can mimic that look for less than $60 with one gallon of high-quality paint.

Think mushroom taupe, creamy beige, or soft charcoal — tones that make a space feel layered and intentional. If you’re painting a small room or accent wall, one can of paint and a cheap roller kit can completely transform the space.

Trim and molding elevate a plain room

Many celebrity homes have wall paneling or custom molding that adds structure. It makes even a small room feel finished. While custom trim work can cost thousands, you can recreate it with peel-and-stick molding or lightweight foam trim that cuts easily with scissors.

Paint it the same color as your walls for a subtle, built-in look. It’s a low-cost project that completely changes how a space reads. Guests won’t know you didn’t hire a carpenter.

Textiles pull it together

Celebrity designers know how to layer fabrics — heavy curtains, textured rugs, and oversized pillows — to make a home feel cozy and expensive. You can fake that for $60 by focusing on one area.

Replace flimsy curtains with lined panels from Walmart or IKEA, or grab an oversized throw pillow cover set online. Texture is what makes a space look thoughtfully designed, and you don’t have to buy designer fabric to get there.

It’s about polish, not price

The difference between your home and a celebrity’s isn’t necessarily money — it’s attention to detail. Their designers make every surface and fixture feel intentional. When you replicate that mindset, even budget upgrades go further.

For around $60, you can fake what their contractors charge thousands to achieve: warm layered light, matching finishes, rich paint tones, subtle trim, and soft textures. You may not have the celebrity price tag, but you can absolutely have a home that looks like someone with taste lives there.