I’m an interior designer and I can immediately see that you have cheap taste
EVERYONE’S interior design style is different – while some homeowners prefer a classic and timeless look, others may opt for something more eccentric.
But whatever your preferences, one expert has said he or she can immediately tell if you have cheap taste without even lifting an eye.
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And it’s also bad news if you Love a transport trip to Ikea.
Daniel Ufland, founder of the online interior styling platform Flashsaid there are eight things that can make your house look cheap.
But he also shared his best advice on how to decorate your home to create a luxurious look on a budget.
Daniel said: “People are often very concerned about their home looking cheap rather than stylish.”
Inconsistent carpeting
According to the experts, having inconsistent flooring in your home immediately makes your home look cheap.
And it means visitors don’t even have to look up from their shoes before coming to that conclusion.
Daniel explains: “Having laminate in one room, tile in another and wood-look vinyl elsewhere creates a fragmented, disjointed feel.
“When floors change drastically from room to room, it interrupts the visual flow of the home, making it feel like it’s patched together rather than cohesive.
“To avoid this, choose one type of flooring, or at least one consistent material or color, for the main living areas.
“Even if you choose budget-friendly materials, keeping the flooring in your home consistent will create a more polished and uniform look.”
He advises: “Be wary of gray-colored wood alternatives as they can sometimes make a home look cold and artificial.
“Warmer, neutral tones tend to feel more inviting and timeless.”
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Matching flat packed furniture
We all love a trip to Ikea; the furniture is top quality and sturdy, with something for virtually every room in the house.
But Daniel shared how this can make your home look cheap without you even realizing it.
He said: “Filling your room with matching flatpack furniture creates a generic, cookie-cutter feel.
“Flatpack furniture is often mass-produced, made from thin materials such as chipboard, and lacks a unique character that gives a room personality.
“While it may be affordable and convenient, using too much of it, especially if all the parts are identical, makes your space feel sterile and uninspired.
“Instead, combine flatpack pieces with thrift or vintage finds that add charm to your home.
‘Thrift stores, antique markets and online resale platforms can offer affordable alternatives that are more sustainable and visually interesting.
“Even if you buy used furniture that doesn’t quite fit your color scheme, you can learn to restore or repaint it to match your aesthetic.”
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The wrong rug
Rugs can be the perfect addition to a living room, providing comfort, warmth and definition to a space while adding some character.
But if you don’t get the size right, it can have the opposite effect.
The experts revealed: “The size of your rug can have a dramatic impact on how expensive or cheap your room feels.
“A rug that is too small for the space makes everything around it (furniture, decor and the room itself) seem out of proportion and poorly thought out.
“Small rugs often expose large areas of bare flooring, making the room feel disjointed and unfinished.
“For living rooms, your rug should be large enough for the front legs of all your furniture to sit on it.
“Ideally, there should be about 12 to 18 inches of space between the carpet and the walls.
“For dining rooms, choose an area rug that is large enough that chairs can sit comfortably on it even when pulled from the table.”
Disproportionate furniture
It’s not just rugs that you need to get the right size; even the size of your furniture can affect the appearance of your home.
The experts say: “Whether it’s a sofa that’s too big for a small living room or a coffee table that’s too small for the seating group, poorly scaled furniture disrupts the balance of a room.
“The result is a space that feels cramped or unfinished, as if the furniture was chosen without considering the dimensions of the room.
“To avoid this, measure your space carefully and choose furniture that suits the proportions.
“Large rooms benefit from statement pieces that fill the space without overwhelming it, while smaller rooms require more compact, multi-functional furniture.
“The goal is to find a balance between positive and negative space so that the room feels both spacious and cozy.
“Also make sure that artwork and decor match the size of the walls to create a harmonious, balanced look.”
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Overloaded decor
It’s also important that you don’t overdo it with the decor, as this can also make your home look cheap.
Daniel says, “Filling every surface and wall with decor may seem like a good way to personalize your space, but it often leads to a cluttered and overcrowded space, making your home look cheap.
“Even if they are beautiful individually, this mass of items can overwhelm the room.
“Rather than highlighting important pieces, an excess of decor creates chaos, making it difficult for the eye to focus on any one feature.
“The solution is to choose a few statement pieces and give them space to shine.
“Think of decor as an accent to the overall design, not the focal point.”
TOP ADVICE
DANIEL has shared his top advice on how to make your home feel expensive without spending a lot of money.
And it’s all about the little details in your home.
“One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to make your home look more expensive is to pay attention to the little details.
“Start by upgrading the hardware in your space: Replacing old or plain cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and door knobs with more sophisticated, high-quality options can immediately improve the look of a room
“Another overlooked factor is the trim work.
“Adding crown molding, baseboards or wainscoting can give your walls a custom, luxurious feel without the hefty price tag.
“It’s all about creating those subtle visual cues that signify craftsmanship and quality.
“Additionally, consider incorporating more texture into your home.
“Layering different materials, such as velvet, linen or silk, in your curtains, cushions and upholstery can add depth and richness to your interior.”
Exaggerated chintz
According to experts, having too much chintz can also have the same effect.
They say, “Too much chintz can quickly overcrowd a room and make it look cheap.
“When chintz is overused – whether in fabrics, wallpaper or accessories – it goes from charming to messy and old-fashioned.
“Use chintz sparingly, as an accent rather than a main feature.
“Incorporate it in small doses — through pillows, a single chair or a window treatment — so it enhances rather than overtakes the room.”
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Outdated lighting
You may not realize it, but lighting can have a huge impact on the atmosphere of a room. And if you don’t handle it right, it can make a room feel cheap.
Daniel explains: “Lighting plays a big role in how a room feels; bright ceiling lights, old fixtures or a lack of ambient lighting can create a cold, uninviting atmosphere.
“Fixtures that look dated diminish the aesthetic of the entire space, no matter how well decorated it is.
“Adjust your lighting with a combination of overhead, task and accent lighting.
“Dimmers are also a great addition as they allow you to control the intensity of the light depending on the time of day.”
Cheap wall treatments
Too many wall treatments can make your home look cheap if they’re not styled correctly, experts say.
Daniel suggests, “Elaborate or overly themed wall treatments, such as bold accent walls with murals or outdated painting techniques such as sponge painting, often date a room and detract from its elegance.
“If you want to make your walls more interesting, consider subtle architectural details such as crown molding or wall panels, which add texture and depth without overwhelming the space.”
