There’s a fine line between expensive and tasteless. This is often the case we see with people who might focus on the price tag of something over the actual purpose and design of it, but of course, everyone has their own subjective appreciation and who is to say what’s right? A carpet we love might be one you abhor, and vice versa. A good, perhaps more universally objective example of that of the “McMansion” is often considered an ostentatious parallel to more well-designed and expensive homes.
For this reason, you may be a little worried about adding luxurious items to your home and spoiling the general aesthetic you’ve worked so hard to build. But if you want to treat yourself, you should also feel free and able to do that. Where is the dividing line and how should you continue?
Well, we’re not going to tell you exactly how you should design your home - your taste is your taste and you deserve to explore that no matter what anyone else thinks! However, if you’re looking for some helpful starting advice, we might warmly and gently recommend some of the following tips:
Opt For Matching Furniture Sets
When pieces share similar lines, colors, or materials, they create a sense of intentionality that shows you’ve been more intentional with that sophisticated design. This doesn't mean everything must be identical or formatted like a catalog or showroom of course, as subtle variations can add character and shows the space is real. A good example to think about is that of a well-matched but not exact outfit with complementary pieces that work together without looking like a uniform.
A leather sofa paired with matching armchairs in slightly different shades can help a living room change from cluttered to curated, or marble dining table and chair sets can provide a fantastic material with a real pedigree, but without seeming ostentatious in any way.
Keep The Tones Simple
Neutral color palettes are a great place to start if you don’t have an exact goal in mind, and even then, some people just stick with this because decorating around it is so much easier. Whites, creams, grays, and soft earth tones are a good place to start because they offer a nice and clean canvas that allows your interior design to look better. For instance, floor-length mirrors or custom lamps or throws and cushions can seem so much more homely in that environment, provided the room isn’t too big and the ceiling isn’t too large.
This approach might seem boring to the uninitiated, but secure simplicity now and you can build from it, which means versatile design is now afforded to you. You can introduce luxury through textures such as a plush velvet throw, a silk cushion, or a woolen rug. This simplicity means the luxury touches stand out and look fantastic, and you’ll have shown a restraint also. The quickest way for luxury to seem boring is to make it present everywhere.
Ornate Designs Incur A “Point Cost”
Every ornate or statement piece uses up visual "design points" in a room, or at least that’s a great way to think about it. Give each room a budget of points depending on the size and shape, and then consider how many points each luxury piece might cost. Again, you’re the one deciding this, but it allows you to apply some restraint to your approach.
For instance, if you're adding something elaborate - like a baroque mirror or a chandelier - balance it with simpler surrounding elements so as to keep the space feeling less overburdened or too busy. One showstopper per room is usually enough, with trimmings around it. This prevents your space from looking like a furniture showroom or an antique gallery where every single part is going to distract you from the next part, and so on.
Authenticity & Culture, Not Expense
One thing that real luxury appreciators understand is that true luxury isn't defined by how much something costs, but its story and craftsmanship. A hand-woven rug from Morocco or a vintage ceramic piece from a local artist you appreciate can define the character of your a space more effectively than an expensive, mass-produced item that may hold a high price, but doesn’t really say anything about you an your taste.
Moreover, this way authenticity isn’t seem as luxury for luxury sake. It will have a kind of purpose worth enjoying, and that can be a powerful outcome.
With this advice, you’re sure to add that wonderful touch of luxury to your home but without being gaudy in any way.