How to copy $800 decor trends for under $50

Trendy decor doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. Most of what makes expensive designs look high-end is scale, styling, and texture—not the brand name or where it was bought.

The truth is, with the right eye and a little strategy, you can mimic the same looks that show up in designer catalogs for a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s something you thrift, DIY, or find at a budget store, there’s almost always a way to recreate the vibe for less than $50.

Fake the Look of a Designer Vase

You’ve probably seen those matte, oversized sculptural vases going for $150 or more. You can make your own using a thrifted glass vase, baking soda, and paint. The baking soda gives it a chalky, ceramic texture, and matte black or beige keeps it looking high-end.

Thrift stores usually have tons of shapes to choose from for under $5. Add some branches or dried stems, and no one’s going to guess you didn’t splurge. Group it with a few books or a bowl, and you’ve nailed the designer styling trick.

Upgrade Cheap Art With a High-End Frame

A lot of high-end rooms feature huge, oversized artwork—but the art itself usually isn’t expensive. What sells the look is the scale and framing. You can find printable art online for less than $10, then get it printed at Staples and pop it into a big IKEA or Amazon frame.

Stick with black, natural wood, or gold frames with a wide mat to keep it looking polished. Hang it over a console, behind a nightstand, or above a chair to mimic the layout you see in those $800+ room shots.

Use Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper as a Statement Panel

You don’t need to wallpaper an entire room to make an impact. One roll of peel-and-stick wallpaper—usually under $40—is enough to create a faux headboard, entry feature, or accent wall behind open shelves.

Pick a pattern that looks designer, like a neutral grasscloth, subtle stripe, or modern check. Apply it in a vertical panel behind furniture and frame the edges with trim or leave it clean. It gives you the same visual interest that pricier wallpaper installs deliver.

Paint Your Own Abstract Canvas

Minimal abstract art sells for hundreds, but the technique is often incredibly basic. Grab a large canvas from Michaels (especially when they’re on sale or with a coupon), use leftover house paint or sample pots, and create broad strokes with a wide brush.

Use beige, white, charcoal, or rust tones and leave plenty of negative space. Once dry, frame it with inexpensive wood trim or hang it bare for a more modern look. You’ve got something that looks gallery-ready for under $30.

Swap Lampshades for a Cleaner Shape

Those sculptural, high-end table lamps you see all over? They’re not always about the base—they’re about the shade. Drum and cone-shaped shades with linen textures look higher-end than bell or flared ones. A quick swap makes even a thrifted lamp feel custom.

Target and Amazon both have shades in the $15–$25 range. Stick to white or ivory and choose a size that feels proportional to the base. It’s a quiet upgrade that instantly makes a room feel more designer-approved.

Add Oversized Coffee Table Books (Without Paying Full Price)

Those stacked coffee table books in designer homes cost a fortune—unless you know where to look. You can find oversized art, travel, or fashion books at thrift stores, estate sales, and even discount retailers like HomeGoods for under $10 each.

Look for hardcovers with neutral spines and strong titles. Stack two or three under a bowl or candle to recreate that styled look. Bonus: if you find them without jackets, the raw cover looks even more expensive.

Create a Faux Concrete Bowl

Textured concrete-style decor is all over Pottery Barn and West Elm right now. You can mimic it with a DIY project using a dollar store bowl, joint compound, and gray paint. Apply the joint compound in layers, let it dry, and then brush over with a mix of black and white paint to get that raw concrete tone.

The result looks like something you’d pay $80 for. Use it on a console, coffee table, or kitchen island to bring in that minimal, earthy texture everyone’s chasing right now.

Elevate Your Bed With Pillow Inserts

High-end bedrooms almost always have oversized, full-looking pillows—even when the bedding itself is basic. The trick is using larger inserts (like 22″) inside smaller covers (like 20″). It fills them out and gives the whole bed more structure.

You can find down-alternative inserts for around $10–$15 each, and even one or two makes a big difference. Fluff them daily and karate-chop the middle for that styled, hotel-like shape you see in professional photos.

Layer a Rattan Tray on the Coffee Table

That organic, casual texture you see in high-end living rooms often comes from layering a single rattan or woven tray. They corral items and add that editorial polish without making the room feel overly formal.

You can find solid options at places like IKEA, Amazon, or World Market for under $30. Look for ones that are at least 12–16″ across so they don’t feel too small. Layer a candle, match holder, and small vase, and you’ve recreated the exact styling trick you see in designer homes.

Paint Your Doors a Rich Accent Color

Designers love painting interior doors in earthy tones—deep green, warm beige, charcoal—to add contrast without clutter. It’s an easy way to make your home feel more custom without needing new furniture or decor.

Use a $5–$10 sample pot of high-quality paint and give the door a couple of coats. Pair it with updated hardware if your budget allows, or just clean and polish the current hardware to freshen it up. It’s a subtle but high-impact change that looks way more expensive than it is.

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