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As a home editor, I spend a good chunk of my days ogling beautiful homes on the internet, which means developing expensive tastes is basically a workplace hazard. I’m constantly scrolling past immaculate, professionally designed rooms filled with custom furniture that, in reality, I could never actually afford. But a girl can dream—and find creative ways to achieve that sense of luxury without the steep price tag. With that goal in mind, I’ve started doing a few boujee things around my house that might seem like splurges but are surprisingly affordable. These are some of my favorite luxury home tips that feel indulgent but aren’t actually expensive:
1. Hire a professional cleaner
There’s something undeniably luxe about stepping into a pristine home—crumb-free countertops, vacuum lines in the carpet, and not a dust bunny in sight. And while a full-house deep clean usually means sacrificing either your weekend or your wallet, I’ve found a way to get that “my house always smells this good” energy without eating up my time or my entire paycheck.
Homeaglow is a budget-friendly platform that connects you with trusted local independent cleaners who take care of everything—from scrubbing your sinks to folding your laundry (yes, really). It’s way more affordable than you’d expect and totally customizable to your schedule and needs. I’ve found that it’s the easiest way to keep your place looking amazing without the splurge.
This may seem unnecessary to some, but decanting is an essential step in my post-grocery store routine. Instead of keeping dry goods like flour, sugar, and baking soda in their original packaging, I always pour out the contents into one of my matching, airtight containers. I even store my spices in matching glass jars with labels (arranged in alphabetical order, of course). Yes, it takes a little extra effort and investment up front, but the results are so worth it to me. Not only does it make my pantry look way more polished, but the ingredients also stay fresher for longer and are easier to measure out when I need them for a recipe.
There aren’t many walls in my home that don’t have some kind of art hung up. Having art on the walls makes a room feel so much more put together, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to make an impact. A good chunk of the art in my home is thrifted, and for the rest, I purchased frames inexpensively at places like HomeGoods and Target and then printed the art myself. You can even get creative by framing mementos like photo strips, postcards, or ticket stubs to give your walls a personalized touch.
4. Use lamps instead of overhead lighting
Why spend money on lamps when your home or apartment likely already came equipped with overhead lighting? The answer is ambience. Overhead lighting can be harsh and unflattering, while lamps emit a softer glow that’s easier on the eyes. I have lamps in nearly every room (even the kitchen) and hardly ever flick on the overhead light in the evenings. You can find all sorts of affordable table and floor lamps at retailers like Target, Wayfair, or Amazon, and your home will be much cozier for it.
5. Upgrade plastic soap dispensers
I can’t even remember the last time I bought one of those single-use plastic hand soap dispensers. Instead, I keep pretty glass dispensers next to every sink and buy hand soap in bulk to refill them. They look so much classier than the cheap plastic dispensers, and you can easily find affordable ones to match the finishes in your kitchen or bathroom. It’s one of my favorite hacks to help cut down on plastic waste and make my home look more polished.
This is one of those things that seems fancy but can actually help you save money. Instead of buying paper napkins (which just get thrown away after the meal), I invested in a set of cloth napkins that I now use for meals at home. It’s easy enough to just toss them in the laundry afterward, and it makes dinners at home feel a little bit fancier—even if I’m just heating up leftovers from the fridge.
7. Add decorative covers over tissue boxes
Let’s be honest: Even if you buy the ones with pretty printed designs, the only real way to make a cardboard tissue box look chic is to cover it up. I like to add decorative covers over mine to help this practical household item blend in and look more luxe. It’s a simple upgrade that doesn’t have to cost a ton but adds an extra special touch to your decor.
8. Replace hardware
Switching out the hardware on cabinets, drawers, or doors is a deceptively easy project that can make such a difference in the overall look of a room. Whether you want to switch up the finish or upgrade a dated style, it’s easy to find affordable hardware on Amazon or at home improvement stores. And since all it takes is a screwdriver, even the most amateur DIYers can pull this off. I’ve already replaced all the cabinet knobs and pulls throughout my kitchen, and I have my sights set on my closet door handles next.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
