People who stage homes for a living swear by these cheap tricks to make your home look more expensive

Make your space show-worthy.

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By Amanda Pellegrino
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Since interior designers and real estate agents are constantly staging homes to get them livable, aesthetic, or ready to sell, they’re full of tips and tricks to create an expensive-looking home without breaking the bank. Whether it’s adding pillows to your bed for a more luxurious hotel-like style or curating metallic knickknacks for eye-catching accents, people who stage homes for a living swear by these tricks to make your home look more expensive, for a budget-friendly price.

01Setting out flameless candles with a realistic flickering wick

“A flameless glass candle set can set the mood in your home while allowing you to live free of the stress of fire-spreading,” says Fort Worth real estate expert Brady Bridges.

Eywamage’s set of three flameless candles come in a selection of stunning and reflective glass votives and feature a real flame-like effect to set the mood without the fear of leaving it on when you leave by accident. Plus, it comes with a remote that turns it on, controls the dimmer, and sets the four- or eight-hour timer.

02Getting window screens cleaner than ever with a mesh brush

What’s worse than a streaky window? A streaky window and a dirty screen. You won’t have to worry about that with this brush, though. It has tough fibers that are long enough to pull dust and grime from between the screen’s tiny holes. Simply add water and soap and rub the brush up and down along the surface until it’s clean. Plus, it has two ergonomic ways of holding, a handle affixed to its base, and a longer attachment to get into tougher-to-reach places.

03Adding these soft pillows to make your bed feel & look like a hotel

“I know from experience that how a bedroom is staged makes all the difference when it comes to getting interest from buyers,” says Kurtis Forster, licensed real estate agent at ViewHomes. “When your bed looks more full, it makes it look more luxurious, which translates into more expensive.”

A great place to start is with extra sleeping pillows, like these soft ones, which work for stomach, back, and side sleepers. The 250-thread count, 100% cotton covers have a cooling property and are filled with a gel-infused down-alternative to maintain the pillows’ shape. Plus, they’re washer- and dryer-safe, for a no-hassle clean.

04Re-arranging your furniture to maximize space & an open layout

Nick Chatzigeorgakis, CEO of design-build firm IntraBuild, has some advice. “When staging a space, the first thing I emphasize is creating a functional layout that feels spacious and inviting. For example, in a recent Manhattan luxury apartment renovation, we reconfigured the seating arrangement to maximize the room's flow and highlight key architectural features.” If moving furniture seems daunting, try adhering these furniture sliders to the bottom of your large pieces. They make it easy to slide furniture on hard surfaces or carpet, so you can create a spacious (read: luxe) layout that’s just to your taste.

05Using a sheer, long linen curtain for a luxurious floor-to-ceiling look

“We also made sure to have curtains that touched the floor,” Fitzgerald says. “This made the room feel more luxurious without spending much.” These linen curtains are available in sizes from 48 to 144 inches long, to make them feel extra expensive and custom to your specific space. They have a semi-sheer flax texture to offer privacy while still letting the sun in and come in over two dozen colors for more customization.

06Enhancing the smell with a reed diffuser that has preserved flowers

A surefire way to make your home look more expensive is to make it smell more expensive. “Reed diffusers, incense sticks, scented candles, and aroma diffusers are non-negotiable additions to your bucket list,” Kaur explains.

This reed defuser set is exactly what she’s talking about. It features a chic reusable glass bottle and 6.7 ounces of oil — which comes in pleasing scents like lavender, jasmine, and cotton. Plus, it features chic black reed sticks and preserved flowers so it not only smells great, but looks great too.

07Installing light with a wire-free sconce with 3 color temperatures

“Once, I worked with a young couple who had just bought their first home,” explains Ryan Fitzgerald, realtor and the owner of Raleigh Realty. “Their living room was big, but it was pretty empty. We first added different types of lights, like wall lights and table lamps with dimmer switches. This made the room look fancy without costing much.”

This wall mounted light is a great way to add light to a space without any expensive renovations. It uses a 3M adhesive to attach directly to the wall, and the modern circular design makes it look like an installed sconce when it’s actually battery-powered, so you still get that wire-free look. Plus, it has three color temperatures and three brightness levels to adjust to whatever room you’re in.

08Depersonalizing the bathroom with a set of soft, neutral towels

When styling your bathroom, Cassel suggests adding “fresh, clean neutral colored towels and a shower curtain,” for a budget-friendly way to bring luxury into an oft overlooked room. This set includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths, so you can keep everything color-coordinated. Plus, the 100% cotton means they’re super soft while staying very absorbent.

09Updating kitchen cabinets & drawers with these modern pulls

One easy way to elevate your kitchen? Add new handles with modern shapes and finishes. “Kitchen renovations can be expensive, but a simple change in hardware, like replacing outdated knobs and pulls with sleek and modern ones, can instantly refresh the entire look,” says executive design strategist Lindsay Tan.

These 5-inch pulls are made of stainless steel and feature a matte black, brushed brass, or satin nickel finish that instantly brings a timeless, modern vibe to your kitchen. They can be installed horizontally on drawers or vertically on cabinets to keep everything coordinated.

10Hanging up a hotel-quality shower curtain for a neutral vibe

Adding a neutral shower curtain like this waterproof one is another way to heed Cassel’s advice and create a luxurious bathroom. The waffle-weave style features a sheer mesh window that lets light into the shower and allows for air circulation, while still maintaining warmth and privacy. It even has a built-in snap-on liner that features magnets on both bottom corners to keep it flush against the tub.

11Adding elegance with this stunning table lamp that’s touch activated

Adding lights like this chic crystal table lamp is another thing Fitzgerald says you can do to make “the room look fancy without costing much.” Not only does it look like a gorgeous crystal piece that you found at a vintage store, but it’s also touch-activated — at the bottom or the top — and features three levels of dimming. As a bonus, it has two USB ports to discreetly charge your devices.

12Making use of overlooked corners with a modern floating shelf

Fitzgerald is also a fan of this cool Greenco corner shelf if you want to bring “a modern touch” to your space. “We put some art pieces and old books on them to make them look more fancy,” he adds. The five-tier unit fits flush into the corner of a room to bring a little style to an often overlooked spot. It can hold up to 11 pounds, and it has a chic zipper design that, itself, looks more like a piece of art than a shelving unit.

13Adding texture with velvet throw pillow covers with a fun two-tone design

“Adding throw pillows and blankets to every bed in your home helps to really transform the space,” Forster explains. And these velvet throw pillow covers can keep things extra fresh with their color block design that gives you dozens of pillow configurations in one set. Each velvet cover features two colors, and a third-colored seam around all four sides that ties it all together. The monochromatic invisible zipper keeps things totally seamless, while still opening wide enough to easily fit the inserts.

14Getting an expensive-looking handmade touch with a fringe wall hanging

This macrame wall hanging from Mkono “added a handmade touch,” Fitzgerald explains, which can balance out the modern to make your space look both expensive and lived in. It’s made of cotton cord and wood beads for a hanging fringe pattern that is a perfect statement piece for over a fireplace, bed, or couch. Also, it can be used as a cool curtain for a small window or to hide unsightly things like breaker boxes.

15Hanging up a chic curtain rod with modern accents that look expensive

And naturally, if you have new stunning floor-to-ceiling curtains, you’ll need a curtain rod like this modern one to hang them slightly above your windows. The brass finish, coupled with the clean, flat ends add a super expensive-looking touch for a budget-friendly price. This rod holds up to 22 pounds of curtain, and it’s adjustable up to 66 inches long, and can be used with all curtain header tops — though this is a rod you’ll definitely want to show off.

16Repurposing items with this elevated metallic paint

If you’re looking to heed Fitzgerald’s shiny advice but don’t know where to start, this metallic paint can help you recycle and repurpose objects you already have around the house. It comes with 24 colors — including multiple shades of gold, vibrant pinks and blues, and shimmering silver — and is safe to use on walls, paper, glass, rocks, wood, and other materials.

It’s waterproof, permanent, fade-proof, and can be used indoors and outdoors. Add a DIY metallic accent to your coffee mugs, lamp shades, coffee tables, or outdated frames — the possibilities are endless.

17Installing an easy & cohesive gallery wall with this square frame set

“Having just a few, handpicked pieces displayed on your wall is the hack to flaunt the richness,” says Simran Kaur, founder of design blog Room You Love. “A nice gallery wall like this one [...] is a no-brainer when it comes to wall decor.”

Kaur recommends this set of nine Annecy frames, are of which all square and feature matching black frames. Buying frames in bulk is a great way to make creating a cohesive gallery wall easy. The plexiglass and backboard are durable and stable for a secure attachment to the wall.

18Eliminating odors with this clever handmade candle

“Irrespective of how good a space looks, if it smells bad, it's all trash,” Kaur continues. This candle doesn’t just come in crowd-pleasing scents like vanilla bean, lilac, apple, and fir trees, it actually absorbs bad odors. That means your home will just smell like flowers — not flowers and old fish. It had a burn time of 80 hours and is handmade with a soy blend wax and cotton wick.

19Swapping in new fixtures to modernize your space

Chatzigeorgakis says, “One addition I always make is updating the lighting. Replacing old fixtures with modern, energy-efficient ones can drastically alter the perception of the space.” Swap in this gorgeous modern vanity light and add some LED Edison light bulbs, and you’ll have an updated bathroom without a massive renovation. While the matte black finish is easy to match, it also comes in silver, gold, chrome, and a black and gold combination. One reviewer says, “Great value, good quality, and easy to install!”

20Modernizing your fixtures with a plug-in pendant light

Far and away one of the most popular design styles in lighting is the pendant light — and it’s a modern look in keeping with Chatzigeorgakis’ advice. But if pendant lights seem intimidating to install, you can always go for a plug-in style like this one which comes with all of the hooks you need to mount this to your ceiling. This is a great low-investment and renter-friendly option that still achieves the same look.

21Draping a luxe blanket or high-quality textile in your space

Chatzigeorgakis’ tried-and-true staging advice? "For final touches, I add high-quality textiles and fresh flowers. These elements create a sense of warmth and luxury without overwhelming the space,” he says. This luxurious Bedsure throw blanket is shockingly affordable considering how luxe it looks. This multi-gray hue is a timeless neutral, but this blanket comes in so many colors to match your space. This is the sort of upgrade that looks so chic while also making your space more comfortable to live in.

22Layering neutral colors in your space with this dried grass decor

“Rich, neutral tones have a certain understated luxury. Creams, taupes, and soft grays can make a space feel curated and bespoke,” explains Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight. This dried grass decor set features four different kinds — rabbit’s tail grass, white pampas, reed pampas, and original color pampas — to layer four different shades of neutral into your space.

Each stalk is 17 inches tall, but can be cut to the height you need for your favorite vase. And they can be styled as-is, or left in the sun for two to three hours to create a fluffier, more expansive arrangement.

23Elevating a bedroom with a silk pillowcase that’s so smooth

One of the easiest ways to elevate a room and make everything look more expensive is to thoughtfully mix textures. “A silky pillow juxtaposed against a coarse wool throw invites touch and adds a layered richness,” Kropovinsky says.

Besides being smooth, buttery soft, and touchable, this silk pillowcase is also great for your hair and skin to reduce irritation. It comes in more than three dozen vibrant colors to fit any decor style, and the zipper closure is hidden for a totally seamless look. Plus, it can be machine washed on the delicate cycle so you can easily clean it.

24Draping a wool throw blanket with a cable knit pattern over furniture

“High-quality textiles can instantly elevate a room,” Kropovinsky says. If this wool throw blanket is nothing else, it’s definitely lush. The lightweight, chunky wool knit adds a charming, handmade touch to your room. It’s perfect for cozying under and watching a movie, or draping over the back of your couch for some added color and texture.

25Hang neutral or contemporary artwork or pieces

While your space should always reflect who you are, a more expensive home often translates into neutral and contemporary design choices. Start with your wall art. Chatzigeorgakis says, "I also recommend removing any personal or overly bold decor items. For instance, we once had to take down a wall of eclectic art in a client’s home and replace it with neutral, contemporary pieces that had broader appeal."

There are so many great places to find affordable artwork — or you can pay for prints on a site like Etsy and hang them yourself. This picture-hanging kit is great for hanging heavier artwork or a neutral mirror. Each drywall anchor in this pack of four can hold up to 45 pounds.

26Adding a metallic touch with some chic bird statues

Kropovinsky also recommends that you “display sculptures and ceramics that resonate.” Whether you’re a bird aficionado or you’re looking for a charming yet modern piece to style on your bookshelf, these small bird statues is an easy “add to cart.” The set of two comes with one small bird and one large bird, and they come with felt-lined bottoms to prevent scratching your surfaces. Plus, their super shiny surface also follows Fitzgerald’s advice of adding metallic accents to elevate you space. Two design-advice birds with one stone.

27Installing these highly-rated knobs with an etched detail

Another way to add a modern refresh to your kitchen is with these knobs. The circular design is highlighted by a delicate etched detail that will seamlessly match with your cabinets — no matter the color — to revive your kitchen without breaking the bank. Available in modern finishes like matte black, brass, nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze, these knobs are a best-seller on Amazon with a 4.8-star rating after 14,000 reviews.

28Cleaning windows with a professional-grade squeegee

One secret to an instantly more expensive looking home? “Give all the mirrors, windows, and window screens a really good cleaning,” says Tan. This professional-grade window squeegee can help. It features a duel head, one side is a rubber squeegee, and the other boasts an absorbent microfiber cloth for a streak-free clean. Plus, with four adjustable handle heights from 23 to 62 inches, this squeegee makes sure you can get every window in your home so shiny you’ll forget it’s there.

29Adding on a silky pillowcase set that’s soft on hair & skin

Once you get all the pillow inserts to make your bed look full and elegant, you’ll need pillowcases like these silky ones to complete the look. Available in a dozen neutrals, charming pastels, and glamorous jewel tones, the pillowcases are made of silky viscose which is moisture-wicking, cooling, and so buttery soft that your hair and skin will feel great in the morning.

30Adding a programmable thermostat to make your heating routine easier

“I’ve started incorporating products like voice-controlled assistants, programmable thermostats, and video doorbells into the homes I work on,” says Eric Bramlett the realtor and owner of Bramlett Real Estate “These tools aren’t just about convenience—they’re about making homes more energy-efficient, secure, and tailored to the homeowners’ needs.”

This programmable thermostat is a surprisingly budget-friendly pick to customize your home. It has precise temperature settings and even lets you set up schedules so you can wake up and go to sleep without ever having to check or change the thermostat.

31Adding a smart doorbell for customizable video features on your home

Bramlett also always adds a video doorbell to houses, and this one is a super budget-friendly find that’s an absolute breeze to pop onto your door. It comes with two-way audio, a weather-resistant finish, night vision, and even a plug-in chime so you can hear it all over the house without checking your phone.

32Upgrade to voice control features with this ultra-budget-friendly plug

Bramlett also recommends setting up voice controls around the house, and this Roku smart plug is ultra-budget-friendly and barely requires any setup. Simply pop it into an outlet, plug in a device, and use the app to start customizing your voice controls for lamps, phone chargers, and more.

33Measuring make sure all of your pieces look right in your space

“In one recent project, I had to swap out a client’s tiny sofa with a more appropriately sized one. The difference was night and day—the room instantly felt more grounded and comfortable,” says Bramlett. “My advice? Always measure your space and choose pieces that fit the room's scale.”

This budget-friendly tape measure is a whopping 25 feet, so you’ll be more than prepared to follow his advice to select appropriately sized pieces. It comes with alternating measurement colors to make it a breeze to use and is retractable for super easy storage.

34Planning out rooms with these cleverly reusable furniture stickers

These easy-to-use architectural stickers are also super handy when planning out, measuring, and making sure all of your pieces fit your space. You get 700 precut symbols, like beds, sofas, chairs, and more, and you can even reuse them to plan out different rooms.

35Creating an easy gallery wall with this pre-styled pack

Bramlett also says, “I love a good DIY project, and one of my favorites is creating a gallery wall. I’ve done this in several homes, including mine, and it’s always a hit.” This budget-friendly pack of frames is an easy way to have a gallery wall without a ton of planning because they’re designed to be styled together. Each one has a wood-like finish, and you can even choose from six different wood-tone colors to easily match your other frames and decor.

36Displaying a modern fruit bowl that’s an edgy take on kitchen staple

For a pop of color and a touch of homey citrus New York City real estate specialist Colleen Cassel has a favorite styling tip. “In the kitchen add limes and lemons into a glass bowl or simple wicker basket and place in the center of the kitchen island.”

This glass bowl screams modern elegance at such a budget-friendly price. Made of thick glass, the bowl has a ribbed texture on the outside and a smooth inside. And the two-tone, geometric design adds an cool edge to your classic fruit bowl.

37Painting doors with an all-in-one paint that boasts a chalky, matte finish

While white interior doors are traditional, “...painting doors a new color is an easy way to quickly refresh a room's look,” says Omri Schwartz, interior design expert and general manager of nazmiyal rugs.

This all-in-one paint makes refreshing your interior doors a breeze. It comes in dozens of colors that guaranteed to make a splash, while the chalky, matte finish keeps things modern. It’s durable for indoor and outdoor use on wood, laminate, glass, metal, and plastic, and it dries within 30 minutes of application.

38Laying down a washable area rug that’s super thin

“With the right rug, you can add interest to a room,” says Schwartz. “Choose natural fibers such as wool or leather for durability and luxury, or opt for vintage-inspired designs if you want something unusual.”

This ultra-thin, area rug is a show-stopping addition to your room, effortlessly blending an antique design with modern colors for the perfect fit. The non-shedding low-pile rug sits flush against the floor, and the TPE backing prevents it from slipping and sliding around the room. Plus, it can be cleaned with a vacuum, robot cleaner, or thrown into the washing machine.

39Decorating with functional items that offer hidden storage

This ottoman makes a great addition to any room — it’s a place to put your feet up near a sofa or chair and the marble-like finish looks upscale. It’s also functional — the lid opens up to reveal hidden storage space for a variety of items. And according to Bramlett, decluttering is definitely worth your time. “I recently worked on a project where the homeowners were overwhelmed with clutter,” he says. “We went through each room, donating and organizing items, and the result was incredible —the space felt larger, more serene, and much more functional.”

40Adding inexpensive abstract art to the walls

Wall art can make a room instantly look more interesting, fill up blank space, and add detail and color. These three abstract art pictures are simple and neutral, but cool enough to elevate your decor. Bramlett would use something like these to create a gallery wall with a combination of family photos, abstract art, and vintage mirrors. “It’s a budget-friendly way to showcase your style and fill a blank wall with personality,” he says.

41Hanging a baroque style mirror to add some vintage flair

Instead of just hanging family photos or artsy prints, Bramlett likes to add some decor into the mix, like a vintage mirror. This oval baroque-style mirror from Amazon doesn’t come with a hefty price tag but has a gold finish that gives it a unique antique finish. It looks luxe and would be nice on its own or mixed in a gallery wall like Bramlett suggests.

42Propping up this full-length mirror to make any room appear larger

Interior designer, home stager, and licensed realtor Chenise Hinds explains that “a large mirror visually expands smaller rooms.” This full-length arched mirror will make any room look and feel much larger — it’s nearly 5 feet tall. Place it on the floor and lean it against the wall or hang it up if desired. Choose from various finishes in the listing, including this high-end gold pick.

43Bringing the outdoors in with this adjustable bamboo plant stand

Another inexpensive way to make your home appear more high-end? Bring the outdoors in. “Fresh flowers and potted plants bring life to any space,” notes Hinds. And to display the pots, you’ll need this bamboo stand. It adjusts in width from 8 to 12 inches, and the height can also be tweaked by flipping it over. The plant stand can hold up to 150 pounds.

44Using convenient under-bed storage bins to stay clutter-free

“The most transformative change you can make to any space is decluttering and organizing,” Bramlett says. One easy way to do so is with hidden storage options, like these under-bed storage bins. Soft, flexible, and sitting low enough to slide under a bed, these are a great option for keeping items you don’t use often or seasonal clothing hidden away and safe.

45Incorporating flowers & plants into your space

Mike Wall, home stager and house flipper with EZ Sell Homebuyers, advises, “One addition I always make when staging a space is incorporating fresh flowers or plants. They add a touch of life and warmth to the room, making it feel more inviting and well-cared-for.” But keeping up with fresh flowers can be a really expensive task. If you want to try out flowers in your space before you commit, faux flowers like these faux hydrangeas are easy to keep up with. Pop them in a vase and set them out on your coffee or entryway tables. This comes with six pieces, available in a range of colors.

46Using attractive storage boxes for aesthetically pleasing organization

These bamboo storage boxes are another great way to organize and declutter as per Bramlett’s advice. They’re nice enough to leave out and use as decor, but they can also easily be stacked in a closet. The set includes boxes in three sizes and each one has a lid that stays closed to protect whatever is inside.

47Focusing on your home’s scent profile

Wall says, “I focus on enhancing the ambiance with subtle details. This includes ensuring pleasant, neutral scents through candles or diffusers, adding plush towels in bathrooms, and arranging pillows and throws on sofas and beds to create a cozy yet stylish atmosphere.” To create a uniform scent throughout your home, consider investing in bulk in an essential oil blend that you can diffuse. This pack of four diffuser bottles comes with their own sticks, and can be placed in different rooms to diffuse a pleasant and neutral throughout your entire home.

48Utilizing these fillable paint pens for touch-ups around your home

If you only need to do small paint touch-ups around your home, these paint pens make the job simple, giving you that fresh feel that Hinds mentioned. The five pens can be filled with any color of paint and they can be used on walls, ceilings, or trim. The paint inside will stay fresh for years, so you can get rid of the bulky cans.

49Placing monochromatic pillows on your bed or couch for cohesion

“Oversize pillows in a monochromatic color scheme add cohesion,” notes Hinds. And these velvet throw pillow covers achieve this while also bringing a textured element to your bedroom, living room, or wherever else you choose to display them. They come tons of colors (as well as in a range of sizes), including simple neutrals and fun pops of color.

50Propping a mirror up in a corner or mounting it on a wall

Wall, like others, recommends utilizing mirrors to create the look and feel of more space in your home. He says, “Strategically placed mirrors can make a space feel larger and brighter — especially in smaller homes and condos.” Prop up this arched mirror in a corner of your house, or mount it on a wall if you’re short on floor space. It’s matte black frame and arched style are so chic. At 20 inches in height, this mirror is a steal at the price.

51Using transparent bins to neatly store cleaning supplies & more

When cleaning and decluttering per Bramlett’s suggestion, you’ll need somewhere to carefully store your items, and these transparent bins are a great choice. They’re large, deep, and wide, with plenty of space for a variety of items, from cleaning supplies to beauty products to food. Handles on either side make them easy to move around as needed and you can see exactly what’s inside without searching through each item.

52Giving some love to your backyard

While it can be tempting to spend all of your time on the inside of your home, Wall says, “Don’t forget the exterior; a well-maintained yard, fresh paint, and a welcoming entryway set a positive first impression.” So if your yard has seen better days, spend some time cleaning up weeds and clearing your yard. This weeder is a fan favorite, thanks to its long handle that allows you to pick up stray weeds without straining your back or kneeling down.

53Spending money on your outdoor setup

Wall’s advice to keep a well-maintained yard is that much more easily achieved if you set aside designated paths for people to walk on. These outdoor path lights are perfect for that, and recharge via the sun for easy upkeep. This is a pack of 10.

54Keeping in mind that less is more

It may be tempting to go big with your home updates, but Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, CEO and Managing Broker of the real estate firm Integrity All Star Realty, reminds, “Less is more, so people need to keep that in mind. Don’t overdo it. You need a few statement pieces, such as nice light fixtures, which can really set the tone of the house.” This flush-mount ceiling light is a beautiful fixture for any room, with an LED light bulb inside and a matte black exterior that contrasts with a standard white ceiling. Bonus, reviewers say it’s easy to install.

55Focusing on small upgrades that make a big impact, like lighting

Rains says, “Great lighting or a nice ceiling fan can really make a home punch above its weight class. Always make sure the room is light, bright, and white since it makes the space look bigger, brighter, and more expensive.” Keep your space bright with some under-cabinet lighting — like these LED lights that you can stick anywhere. Under your cabinets, in a dark stairwell, in a back closet, the placement possibilities are endless.