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With no regards to the clients’ budget, the feeling of comfort and luxury is the ultimate goal. For us, luxury is more than a price tag or a brand; it is the sensation of achievement and awe. In this article, we want to discuss how to evoke that hard-to-grasp luxurious atmosphere while sticking to limited budgets or no extra money.
What makes a room look 'luxury'?
A luxurious room exudes refinement with high-end materials (velvet, leather, marble), statement pieces (chandeliers, mirrors), thoughtful lighting (soft, dramatic), clean lines and personal touches (art, books). More often than not, these projects have an increased budget attached to them, as the materials and craftsmanship needed are costly.
How do you design a luxurious space with a low budget?
True luxury in interior design lies not in expensive materials or flashy décor, but in the thoughtful consideration of clients' lifestyles and the incorporation of bespoke pieces that reflect their personalities. Luxury interior designers always start somewhere, generally with clients that may not have all the budget in the world but still desire a luxurious interior. In this context, their objective is to make a space feel like a luxury home with an expensive look... Without the inflated price tag.
To do this, we've put together a blog with interior design tips that only the best interior designers use. To us, a luxury design is not about crazy light fixtures, expensive pieces of artwork and collector furnishings. It is about having a meticulous attention to detail, understanding your clients' dream living space, nailing the overall look, reducing clutter, getting creative with accessories, and above all, creating a sanctuary where your clients feel their dream ambiance.
What are the best luxury interior design hacks?
01. Design according to your clients’ everyday
Nothing is more pure luxury than having a space designed to accommodate your clients’ habits. Whether it’s putting a stool close to the doorway to put one's' shoes on, or creating a reading nook where natural light shines all day for enhanced thriller bingeing, luxury is true, bespoke comfort.
02. Reject sets, embrace mixing and matching
Straight-to-customer interior design relies a lot on sets and very cohesive collections of furniture. To achieve that “haute” design look, mix and match different pieces of furniture from different styles, eras and brands. This will give your spaces a more eclectic look that feels inspirational instead of accessible.
03. Purchase vintage furniture and antiquities or use what you have
True, “old money” luxury comes from the old and well kept. If you’re struggling to find amazing furniture that fits your budget, go to outlets, second-hand online traders and charity and thrift shops. If possible, integrate the older structures of a home into your design, to enhance that feeling of heritage.
04. Support small, local artists for bespoke pieces
Art shouldn’t be a luxury – but it definitely feels like one. A great way to increase the outward appearance of chic opulence in a home is to incorporate art pieces in it. If you’re struggling to make it work with your clients’ budget, you can contact artists in your area to create bespoke pieces for you. If they’re not well known yet, you might be able to pay them according to their own prices and still save a little money.
05. Restore old, damaged furniture and materials
Upcycling older, outdated pieces via conservation, painting, or updating hardware is a must-do if you’re trying to give off a luxurious vibe on a budget. Get on that DIY train and restore old furniture as much as you can. Also, you can contact suppliers and other contractors for left-over materials to repurpose. It’s all about being creative!
06. Swap some materials for their more inexpensive counterparts
Sometimes, you have to bite the bullet and find alternatives to your luxury favourites. A great example could be swapping Venetian plaster for Microcement, or fur for faux fur. Keep these swaps at a minimum, otherwise you run the risk of looking a bit “try hard”. Instead, use luxury elements in small quantities, and embrace some bareness when you can’t do anything about it.
Thanks for reading this article! We hope that you found our top tips on how to create a luxury space useful. The best way to stay up-to-date with the latest in interior design is through our weekly newsletters... Why not join?
