Many people dream of making their home look expensive and attractive. But often the budget does not allow you to make what you want a reality. Vasilisa Pavlova, practicing interior designer, architect, head of the studio of author’s design vasilisapavlova.com He believes that a beautiful interior does not have to be expensive — it can be created even at an average cost.
“Of course, the question of how to make an interior expensive can be answered in one sentence: buy high-quality materials, mostly natural (stone, wood, veneer), branded furniture and light, use brass and mirrors. But this is just one of the options for creating an expensive interior with an emphasis on Art Deco or minimalism. As a rule, we are talking about high costs here. I believe that an interior in any style can look decent even with an average budget,” says Vasilisa.
What makes the interior cheaper and how to make it visually more expensive? Vasilisa Pavlova highlighted the key points.
Pay attention to the little things
When repairing, it is important not to forget about the details, so let the perfectionist wake up in you. The interior in any budget should look neat, it always significantly increases its cost.
What to pay attention to and what to avoid: open pipes, sloppy joints of coatings, loose and dried glue, narrow cuts in prominent places, yellowed sealant or grout — all this reduces the cost of the interior, no matter how much money is invested in it.
Avoid photo printing and garish prints
Also, in expensive interiors, it is not customary to use garish prints, glitter on wallpaper, cheap imitation of expensive stones, photo printing, graphic drawings on the walls. On the contrary, delicate drawings with complex color combinations are welcome. A competent combination of prints on wallpaper and textiles looks very cool.
Think about storage systems wisely
Avoid visual noise and clutter: scattered things, bags and bags that lie in visible places, debris on the kitchen countertop will spoil any interior.
It’s not enough to just put things in order. I believe that the key to the success of any interior is well—thought-out storage systems. In this case, you can save the interior, which will look like on the cover of a magazine, without much effort.
Use high-quality furniture
Another mistake is the use of cheap, outdated and substandard furniture. Unfortunately, many furniture centers and shops still have pieces of furniture in the design of 2000-2005. This kind of furniture will spoil any interior.
To increase the level of the interior, it is advisable to choose furniture of laconic shapes (both rounded, which is now in trend, and square), in tactile materials, and also pay attention to accessories (handles, legs, inserts). It is also worth giving up white IKEA-type office shelving and working very carefully with glossy facades.
Add noble shades to the interior
Do not try to make the entire interior in gray or beige. Monochrome interiors look beautiful and expensive only if there is a good budget: the use of high-quality materials, tiles with good printing, the inclusion of designer (not replicas or copies) interior items, well-built light, elaborate nodes and joints.
Even a simple interior assembled from mass-market stores can look interesting and worthy: add noble shades to the interior (emerald, dusty blue, malachite, restrained eggplant, wine, gray-green, pistachio).
If you do not want or are afraid to make the walls colored, you can bring uniqueness and zest through things that are easy to remove or replace: dishes, paintings, pillows, blankets, curtains. The seasonality of the interior will allow us to add variety when we select a themed decor for the time of year or holiday. And the bravest can turn a simple white chest of drawers into an accent element of the interior by simply repainting it.
Do not neglect the decor
Decor plays an important role in the interior: pillows, vases, decorative light, plants. Do not neglect it, even if you like concise interiors.
There is no need to go to extremes, such as a complete lack of decor or the desire to fill every wall with some kind of material and decorative element. On the contrary, choose one or two accent points where you will place a decorative composition that is pleasing to the eye.
“The key to the success of any interior is a combination of materials and colors, good—looking materials, neatness and eye-pleasing elements that make the interior exactly yours,” the expert summarizes.
Following these simple recommendations, you can create a truly luxurious interior even with a limited budget. The main thing is attention to detail and the right choice of finishing materials and interior items.
Are capsule apartments our new reality? Architect on new housing formats and spaces of the future
Frequently Asked Questions
What budget options can be used instead of expensive natural materials?
Instead of expensive natural stone or wood, you can use their available imitations — porcelain stoneware, laminate, plastic panels, etc. The main thing is that the imitation looks high-quality and realistic.
Is it possible to use budget furniture and at the same time maintain the feeling of an expensive interior?
Yes, the main thing is to choose the right furniture in style, shape and shades. It is also important to pay attention to fittings and accessories — high-quality handles, legs, pillows will give even simple furniture a vip look.
What accents will help to visually raise the level of a budget interior?
Use mirrors in decorative frames, lamps and lamps of unusual shapes, objects with noble materials in decoration — all this will distract attention from simple surfaces and furniture.
What color looks expensive in the interior?
Add noble shades to the interior — emerald, dusty blue, malachite, restrained eggplant, wine, gray-green, pistachio.
Which plants are better to use to create the effect of an expensive interior?
Palm trees, ficuses, monstera, yucca and other evergreen plants of non-standard shapes are perfect. You can also use large specimens of popular indoor flowers — orchids, anthuriums, ferns.
What is the first thing to pay attention to when you want to make the interior more expensive and attractive?
Start by eliminating visual noise — remove unnecessary small objects, put the wiring and communications in order. Then focus on high—quality finishing – leveling walls and ceilings, joints of materials. This will create a foundation for further design.
Author
Yulia Yanukovych Editor-in-Chief
I am responsible for the work of the editorial office. I write expert interviews and guides.
English 
Russian 
German 
Polish