Celebrities pay designers to do this — but you can copy it in an afternoon

You don’t need a celebrity-sized budget to make your home look professionally designed. The truth is, the things that make celebrity homes look so put together aren’t always expensive renovations — they’re often simple design choices that anyone can recreate.

The difference comes down to intention. The ultra-rich pay designers to do what most of us overlook: create flow, warmth, and a sense of polish. But with a few small changes, you can get the same elevated feel without ever writing a big check.

They use lighting like furniture

Good lighting makes a bigger impact than almost any other design element. Celebrities hire designers to layer it intentionally — overhead fixtures for function, sconces or table lamps for atmosphere, and accent lighting to highlight certain areas.

You can do the same by swapping out harsh white bulbs for warm ones and adding multiple light sources in each room. A lamp in a dark corner or under-cabinet lights in the kitchen can completely change how your space feels.

Every surface has purpose

In designer homes, there’s no such thing as a random surface. Coffee tables, entry consoles, and countertops are styled — but never cluttered. You’ll usually see three to five items: something tall (like a vase or lamp), something flat (like a tray or book), and something with texture (like greenery or stone). It’s a rule designers rely on because it adds balance without looking staged. If your surfaces are overflowing, start small — clear them off, then rebuild with intention.

Curtains hang high and wide

This is one of the easiest design tricks to copy. Celebrities’ homes always look taller and more open because designers hang curtains close to the ceiling and extend them several inches beyond the window frame.

That extra height draws the eye up, making the windows — and the entire room — feel larger. You don’t need custom drapes either. Even affordable panels can look high-end when they’re the right length and hung correctly.

Art is treated as a focal point, not filler

In celebrity homes, art isn’t something they use to cover empty wall space — it’s part of the design. Each piece is chosen for scale and impact. The same approach works in your home: pick fewer, larger pieces instead of scattering small frames everywhere.

Hang art at eye level, center it over furniture, and make sure it connects with the colors or tones already in the room. One well-placed piece can make your space look styled instead of thrown together.

They use symmetry to calm the space

Professional designers love symmetry because it makes any room feel intentional. A pair of matching lamps on a dresser, twin chairs facing each other, or balanced artwork above a sofa instantly makes things feel finished.

You don’t need identical pieces everywhere — even visual balance, like matching height or color on both sides of a room, creates that high-end look.

Texture makes everything look more expensive

Even the most neutral celebrity homes never look flat, because designers layer texture everywhere. Soft fabrics, woven baskets, matte ceramics, and wood tones make a space feel richer.

If your home feels cold or one-dimensional, mix materials: add a knit throw on the couch, swap a glass vase for something stone or clay, or bring in a rug that feels good underfoot. Texture is what turns a plain room into one that feels inviting.

The details are always finished

The biggest difference between a space that feels designed and one that feels incomplete is attention to detail. Light switch plates match, cords are hidden, and baseboards are clean. Even things like replacing mismatched hardware or upgrading outlet covers make a noticeable difference. You can tackle these details in an afternoon, and once you do, your space will instantly feel more polished.

Celebrity homes might have the budget, but they don’t have a monopoly on style. What makes their spaces shine are the small, thoughtful choices that make a house feel complete. And the good news? You can do every one of them yourself — no designer needed.