Making Your Home Look More Expensive

Who wouldn't want to make your home look more high-end?  Whether you are planning to put your home on the market, or you are just ready to upgrade for your own pleasure, here are some tips that will help. Most are very affordable; some just require a little elbow grease. On a very few, you may want to call in a professional, depending on your comfort level with power tools.

~Frame those builder-original bathroom mirrors. There are kits to do this, or find instructions on Pinterest.

~Change out all the doorknobs into one consistent finish. If you are like many people, you have simply gone to the big box store and bought a new doorknob whenever you needed one without any concern about consistency, so that by now you have gotten a motley crew of different shapes and finishes. Simply changing them out to one style and finish will make your home look more pulled together.

~While you're in framing mode, go ahead and build a frame around your flat screen TV over the mantel. You can do this with painted molding, or get creative with pallet wood.

~And speaking of mantels- does yours need to be replaced? There are a lot of great looks out there now- a natural stone slab, a big plank, or even just bigger, can really change the look of the fireplace.

~If you don't have a TV over your fireplace, be sure you do have art in some form- and big enough to matter. Remember that your mantel is a focal point, and be sure it makes a statement!

~The art in your other spaces should be large enough as well. If you don't have a large piece you like, consider making a gallery style wall, displaying several pieces. And this can include pieces other than framed art, by the way. Consider interesting mirrors, small shelves topped by objects, decorative items that can be hung, beautiful plates, or sconces.

~Other things that can be used in gallery groupings of art are a framed piece of beautiful stationery or a great card, or a gorgeous piece of fabric.  A great idea for a baby girl's room is a shadowbox of a confirmation dress, along with the veil and gloves, and a small nosegay of sweetheart roses.

~And put some nice art and a good rug in the bathroom, for goodness sake!

~Add a small lamp any little place for ambience- in the bathroom, in the kitchen, on a small table in the hall. I especially love lamps in the dining room, with the chandelier on a rheostat and turned low.

~Does your chandelier need updating? This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective changes possible. Get a nice big one, and hang approximately 30 inches above the table.

~Keep your sights upward. Could your ceilings use a fresh coat of paint? Maybe a very very light blue. More vibrant ceiling colors are also gaining popularity recently-

~You can paint ceiling fans too! That burnished brass look is so dated! Use Rustoleum or something similar to paint the body of the fan, and either paint or replace the blades.

~Are your other ceiling fixtures outdated? Check out the wonderful drum shades that fit over those fixtures- just remove the domed glass.

~Hang your drapes higher and wider. New ones can be very reasonable, if you do a little searching, or sew a wide band at the bottom to lengthen them. And new rods can be as easy as painted PVC.

~Trim out your windows if they are not trimmed already. Buy molding at the hardware store and cut the corners to match. This is very similar to the work you'll do on framing your mirrors, so coordinate the timing and save yourself some time!

~You can also trim out flat builder grade interior doors. Use Liquid Nails, as most of those are hollow-core. In some cases, a full-length mirror (framed) would be a nice addition to a flat door.

~Still have light oak balusters and handrails on your stairs? CAREFULLY stain (lightly sand first) them a darker hue!

~Intake grilles for your AC system can be upgraded with a pretty piece of decorative metal grille, available at your hardware store.  And by now you've been there enough for them to do you a favor and cut it to the right size!

~And the old vent covers can be painted. Use Rustoleum and spray them, or if you painted your ceiling, brush them the same color and then smooth with a small roller.

~Consider painting the back of your bookshelves an accent color, or lining with a great fabric.

~Look for single accent items in marble. Use alone or as part of a vignette.

~Switch plates can be improved by embellishing them with a small store-bought picture frame, painted to match, or decorated. Craft stores and garage sales can be great sources for these.

~Outlet plates can also be spray painted to be less conspicuous, or covered with wallpaper to match your room.

~Easiest one EVER: bring home a few potted plants. Put in decorative pots, and use singly or group them.

~Pare down what you have on those bookshelves. Consider them an opportunity to highlight your prized possessions rather than storage.