Would you like to create the illusion of luxury in your own home?

How often do you watch HGTV and drool over the perfectly decorated homes? The sparkling quartz counter-tops; Chip and Joanna’s shiplap (on anything!) that consistently complement the decor of any home they renovate. Or the distressed tiled flooring of a spacious bathroom that creates a spa-like environment? Are you left thinking one can only dream? Consequently….how about if you learn some tips to create the illusion of luxury in your own home?

Here are some ways to bring some HGTV into your own home…and not just through your television! Because if you are anything like me, I love everything I see on the shows and dream up ways to duplicate in my own home! The illusion of luxury can be quite simple to imitate.

1 Decor

Turn that bland into glam! Spruce up some decor items here and there and as a result you’ll instantly add visual interest. Combine items such as frames, vases or other objects onto a shelf or console table.

You can take it a step further by organizing the items into a theme. Go through your house and eliminate any items that may no longer work or have become outdated and relocate those that do. Perhaps the vase in your dining room works better on that shelf in your living room with some branches naturally sticking outwards? Or maybe the wooden serving tray that has been hidden in the cabinet, but now quite trendy, can serve as a centerpiece on your dining table with a glass vase and fresh flowers?

In addition, group together multiples of the same object. Also noteworthy is to try and stick to keeping objects grouped by three’s. This is a tip given to me by a professional designer years ago and has proven to work. Odd numbers are said to be more appealing.

Check out Marshalls, Homegoods or the clearance section of any home furnishings store. The finds you find will be surprising. You can update your home with beautiful pieces minus the price tag!

2 Paint

Painting provides an instant refresh and therefore makes an old home feel new again. It’s an instant make-over for any room, hallway or even stairwell. Keep it light and bright by painting it white with a bold accent wall. Or try a grey or “greige” to keep up with the grey trend that does not seem to be leaving anytime soon. It compliments your furniture pieces and also brightens up any space.
Don’t forget about your home exterior! If it needs added curb appeal, why not consider adding some color to the front door or even window shutters or trim? Add some flower boxes to your windows and as a result provide life and color to your exterior.

3. You, too, can shiplap!

Shiplap is not as difficult as it looks! Have a smaller wall that can be used as an accent wall? Above your fireplace mantle? Tile in your bathroom floor? It is not as major a project as one may think. (Hint: they even have peel and stick!) A simple way to create the illusion of luxury and you can DIY!

4. Knobs and Handles

Upgrading your hardware can give a similar effect of updating your kitchen yet with a smaller budget but instant face-lift. Swap out dated hardware for new. Try swapping out your faucets as well as the sink to something that freshly matches your new hardware.

5. Deep clean

Deep cleaning is an easy way to provide a luxurious look to your home. Walk through your home and search for overlooked areas. Grouting alone can give a brand new look to a room. Cleaning or re-grouting wall tile or floor tile can provide a sparkly, fresh appearance. Changing the color of grout can also give the appearance of new tile to what is already present. Steam clean your wood floors to give lift to the finish. Same goes for carpet!

6. Eliminate clutter

Going through your house and purging those items that no longer work with your style…or see regular use…can easily provide the illusion of luxury! Find places for that ‘stuff’ that has piled up. Uncover the clutter dining room table! Clear off and expose your counter-tops.
Before you know it, you’ll be posting pics of your gorgeous home. If you decide to take on any of my suggestions, share onto our Facebook page here! We would love to see how you create the illusion of luxury in your own homes on long island.