Turn a Basic Living Room into a Luxe Retreat with These 12 Tips

Your living room is the central gathering point of your home, right? If it's not, you might have come here because you want to turn it into just that.

The good news is that you can make your living room look more expensive without draining your kid's college fund. We know that while you want your living room to look upgraded, you also want it to be liveable and practical.

That's why we wholeheartedly feel the following 12 changes can make your living room look more expensive while still maintaining a welcoming vibe. We made sure to include pet- and kid-friendly upgrades that work for different lifestyles and needs!

Lighting

The lighting of your living room can really impact its ambiance and overall feel. Don't believe us? Just ask The New York Times. You can strategically place lighting to make your living room look larger and its ceilings taller. Many retailers sell lavish lighting that doesn't break the bank.

Did you know the coloring of your lights can affect the hues of your walls and furniture? Soft, indirect light will make your living room look more elegant (AKA expensive). We recommend mixing up the type of lighting you use, as it adds interesting textures to your space.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is a fun and inexpensive way to play up the elegance of your living room, making it feel like a luxury hotel (the 5-star penthouse suite type, of course).

Certain wallpaper colors and patterns will make your living room look larger and the ceilings higher. Better Homes & Gardens suggests choosing a large-scale pattern with dramatic colors for a more formal look to give you the upscale living room feel you want.

Curtains

What you hang on your windows can step up the “wow” factor of your living room or make it look cheap and tacky. Curtains can be tricky to get right, and their length is more important than you probably think!

Curtains should come as close to the floor as possible. They can even pool a little, depending on the type of floor you have. Here's a bonus tip for you: Mount your curtains slightly higher than the window frame to make your ceilings and windows look taller, creating a grander impression.

Art

Hanging art on your walls is an easy way to add depth to a room, making it look more expensive — assuming you don't have gaudy taste, of course. We recommend choosing classic art, like portraits or landscapes, to give your living room a luxurious feel. Our advice? Head to your next neighborhood garage sale to pick out some pieces, and if you have kids, involve them in the picking-out process.

Gallery walls, when done right, are a nice way to make your living room look taller than it is. High-quality frames, neutral colors, and black-and-white photos add a sophisticated and timeless feel.

Right-Sized Rug

Yes, rugs can get pricey. However, visiting home discount stores like Marshalls & HomeGoods can provide some brand-name rug options at less costly prices. Some general rules to follow when it comes to living room rugs are that the front legs of your furniture should all fit on the rug, and there should be about eight to ten inches of floor surrounding it.

A rug that’s too small will make your living room look off-balanced and cheap, while a rug that’s too large will make it appear smaller and crowded. Keep pets and young kids in mind when picking out a rug, ensuring it's easy to clean.

Crown Molding

If you're the DIY type and you enjoy working with wood, the return on investment for crown molding is worth it! An added perk? The luxurious look of molding can actually increase the value of your home.

However, you should only add it if it suits your home's style and decor. Luckily, there are plenty of styles and designs of crown molding out there that can work with different living room aesthetics.

Mix Textures

As crazy as it may sound, layering textures and patterns can make your living room decor appear more high-end than it is. All it takes is, say, a fluffy throw blanket draped on your non-fluffy couch to add a dose of living room texture.

Purchasing cheap filler pillows and pillow covers is also a great way to add interesting fabrics like velvet and satin. Have pets or children? Purchase removable covers, as they're super easy to wash when the inevitable accident occurs.

Metallic Accents

Adding small accents in metallics like gold, silver, and brass can play up the glamor and opulence of your living room. You can incorporate metallics in traditional ways, like the hardware on tables and lamps, or in more creative ways, like a gold-colored velvet chair.

Elle Decor suggests mixing metallic pieces with various softer textures to create balance. Mohair, velvet, and wool are great contrasting textures to work with. If you're working with a small budget, thrift stores are a great option for finding metallic-accented pieces.

Wall Paneling

Some of the most extravagant palaces in the world are adorned with intricate wall paneling. So, as long as you opt for a simple and timeless look, paneling adds the kind of traditional charm that'll make your living room look more expensive.

We recommend choosing geometric square panels. They create a symmetrical pattern that'll give your living room the sophisticated look you're going for. Wall paneling is something that can be achieved with little effort and a small budget. All you need are thin pieces of plywood, nails, paint, and a bit of handiness!

Chandeliers

Nothing says expensive like a crystal chandelier! Crystal chandeliers were first popularized in late 16th-century Europe and made of natural rock crystals, making them difficult to produce (and, therefore, making them quite pricy).

Later, more intricate styles became synonymous with the French Baroque style, which are the grand chandeliers you see at the Palace of Versailles. Today, you can bring the elegance of Versailles to your living room with more contemporary and cheaper styles made of cut glass.

Vintage Pieces

High-priced furniture isn’t the only way to make your living room look chic. Thrift stores and consignment shops are a great way to find unique and timeless pieces for your living room.

You have several vintage options to choose from that'll look expensive according to your personal style. Mid-century modern pieces will give your living room a high-end retro look. Traditional farmhouse and bohemian vintage pieces will also suggest you paid a pretty penny for them.

Warm Tones

Going for warmer tones like browns, reds, and yellows will make your living room look elegant and, yes, more expensive. Equally as attractive, Architectural Digest notes that warm tones make spaces look and feel cozier.

Warm tones are also a great way to add a pop of color in a way that doesn’t look too trendy or like it will go out of style in a season. When choosing other colors to compliment warm tones, the general rule of thumb is to choose a color on the opposite side of the color wheel.