I have done a post similar to this in the past and a new one as been requested! All about different ways you could be making your home look cheap. Basically this post could be titled….. “My 10 design tips!” These ten ways could also be the thing that makes your home just feel right and finished. I get asked all the time, “how can I make my home look finished and cozy?” Well avoiding the things below will help you complete your home! Bonus- your home will look feel like YOU and also far from cheap and basic! I am not one to ever bash a style or a home choice. It is very personal. I strongly feel that at the end of the day you should do what you love. When I went into clients homes, as a designer I would always ask “tell me what you love about your space?” Then we would work from there. There are a few rules that I personally like to stick to when designing my home. I do want to be clear- I see many homes go against my 1-9 tips and their home still looks gorgeous and far from cheap. If you are looking for a place to start and have no clue then my tips can be a guide for you! And if you read my blog, chances are you might like my style and these are my personal “design rules”.
10 Ways Your Home COULD Look Cheap-
Thank you Walmart for sponsoring this post
#1- Too Small of a Rug
I am sorry, but getting the 5×7 when none of your furniture is on any part of the rug is going to make your home look cheap. Majority of the time in a family room you need a 8×10 rug. 5×7 rugs are generally for small bedrooms. You want the front of your sofa legs to be ON the rug and if chairs are facing the sofa you want the front of the chairs legs to be on the rug too. It is best to save up for the larger rug then to just get the 5×7 because it is what you can afford.
THIS is our newest rug from Walmart (I believe it is still out of stock). THIS rug below was and still is a favorite (from Walmart too) the only reason we don’t have it anymore is because I ruined it when trying to clean up from a child who got sick on it.
Scroll through and click on an image of affordable rugs
#2- Basic Light Fixtures
Just simply upgrading a standard light fixture will elevate your home. Or adding a chandelier above your table will complete the space! Just make sure it is the right size. Going too small on a light fixture, this will actually be more distracting than going slightly oversized! We recently added THIS gold light fixture from Walmart above our sink and it instantly upgraded the look of our basic light fixture. And THIS light fixture to my friends entry, replaced her fixture that was way too small for her space, instantly upgraded her entry and lights for not a lot of money.
Scroll through some affordable light fixtures-
#3- Matching Furniture Sets
Maybe you bought the china hutch and dining table for your dining room. Well you can make it have more personality just by painting the hutch! Or take the top of the hutch off and use the base. Get creative with what you have. On a recent bedroom makeover I did for my friends, who had a complete matching bedroom set, we changed the headboard. It was a simple change that really made the bedroom look more custom! We have THIS headboard from Walmart for around $150!! We also painted their bedroom furniture (see the entire makeover HERE). You could even try moving the matching dresser to another room and swapping what you already have for a more “you” look!
#4- No Real Plants
Alright don’t get offended by this. I too once had faux plants. I used to work in a high-end design store and we sold very nice faux plants and flower stems. They looked so real and I had them ALL over my home. But now that all I own is real, there is a HUGE difference in the way my home looks and feels. No matter how much that faux plant costs, it is still not real. I DARE you to try a snake plant or a ZZ plant! I promise you can become a plant mamma. Just don’t over-water, follow watering schedule. Find where the plant is happiest according to the light in your home. (Get all my houseplant tips HERE).
Scroll through a surprising place to get houseplants
#5- Generic Art and Hung too High
I am a firm believer that you should carefully select what you hang on your wall. You art should represent something in your life. A passion or a memory. If you just run to the store and buy a bunch of art because you need to fill your walls, I guarantee you will get bored with it quickly. The reason I think this makes your home look “cheap” is because it isn’t authentic to you. You could find a piece of art at Home Goods that you LOVE, but only get it for that reason, not just because you need something to hang and “it works”. Also you want your art to be hung eye level- it will make your home feel cozy. There are a lot of places to find art. I shared my TOP PLACE TO GET ART HERE.
#6- Unorganized Entry
If you have a messy entry it will make your home look cheap. No matter how much your home costs or how fancy the rug is. If you do not have a place for guests to hang their coat, put their bag or your family who uses the entry everyday you need to spend a little time getting it pulled together! Simply adding a storage bench like THIS bench from Walmart that comes with that custom looking cushion will look great and functional!
Scroll through some unique entry pieces to complete your space-
#7- Staged Accessories
One of my favorite things to decorate homes with, that really does not cost anything extra is YOUR EVERYDAY ITEMS!! If you stage your coffee table and pack it full of decor items that are not functional it cheapens your home. All you really need on a coffee table is a stack of books that your family is currently reading, a plant and maybe a simple decor items! I like to use THESE battery operated candles, no person or home gets hurt!
#8- No Window Treatments
Now don’t get overwhelmed by this one. Start one room at a time. But adding some simple curtain panels, bamboo shades or roman shades will complete your space. Make sure you get the proper size. There are a lot of guides online to follow for where to hang your curtain rods etc. (My bamboo shades are from Walmart- I have an entire post on them HERE).
#9- Flat Pillow Inserts
A lot of times the inserts that come in the pillows we buy are too small and flat! I recommend doing an insert that is one or two sizes larger than the pillow case. Just changing that insert to a down insert will make your pillow look so much more expensive than it was. TIP- when buying pillows look for pillows that have a zipper so you can easily switch out the insert! (You can shop affordable feather inserts HERE).
#10- No Personality
If you are not inserting YOUR style into your home then it cheapens your home. Don’t you love to walk into a home and you instantly can SEE who lives there? You get what they are into. You can see their hobbies, their style, what makes them happy! Do not forget this most important part. Really 1-9 does not really matter if your personality isn’t in your home. I see people who do 1-9 and I think their home looks fabulous, because they adhered to #10. A well styled home does not mean it has to cost a lot. Artwork that your child makes, or a thrifted piece adds so much warmth to your home rather then cheeping it with things that are not of value to you. I love to also recommend shopping Walmart online! Well styled pieces that do not cost an arm and a leg!! My favorite way to shop on Walmart is by style, you can do that right HERE!
Love to hear from you and how you like to style you home! What your must-do’s and have’s??
Fake Christmas Trees = Fake plants…just look chintzy and well, fake not faux. Hanging curtains too low, take them UP, buy longer curtains.
I don’t like fake plants myself, but I have to have a fake Christmas tree or no tree at all since I’m allergic to having a real one in the house. I got sick every single December until we finally got a fake one. So…can’t judge everyone on this.
yes- I do a fake tree too. We are gone for a huge part of December so it doesn’t work for us. But I WISH I could do only a real tree!
Love all the ideas! I get such inspiration from all of your posts here and Instagram… can you give me information on the cake stand next to your kitchen sink..
Thanks for all that you post…it really does make a difference!!
Hi! I totally agree with all of these! The art hung too high is my number 1! Drives me crazy. Also wanted to let you know that as long as you like the product your doing a ad for, I think it’s great. Since you don’t post tons of them I know it’s a product you like or actually use! Love all the things you do. No matter what you do I’m sure people have a opinion don’t let that bother you. I can just tell you have a great heart and are genuine! ♥️
This is been the great debate in our home. My husband is 6’5” and constantly begs to hang things just a little higher. With 9’ ceilings I usually give in a few inches!
so interesting!!! I think it should be based off average height! ha!
I’ve never been a fake plant person but I’m also not a real plant person bc they’d die. Thank you for the encouragement and tips bc I now have 6 new house plants that are thriving! The life they bring to your home is incredible. I now have thirsty Thursday in my iCal and it helps keep me on schedule. Also, seeing how little you actually water weekly helped. Thank you, Brooke!
I struggle with Artwork on the walls. We’ve relocated several times and so something that hung in one home no longer speaks to me when I hang it in another home, or it’s not the right size and I simply have nowhere to hang it in our current home. Often times I’m unsure of the size I do need for an area or a wall and have a hard time deciding on the scale. I’m so on board with #1. Rugs really need to fit the room. Layer them if you need to.
These are such good tips! I am also guilty of being a former artificial plant-mom! So glad that is no longer the case! I love your tip on painting the bedroom furniture! On my to-do list for the spring – we have an old set of dark night stands that I plan to brighten up with a white or cream color!
Thanks for this post.
What knobs and pulls do you have on your kitchen cabinets. We are refinishing our kitchen cabinets and I like your pulls. Is that Brushed Bronze color or an antique bronze shade?
Thanks,
Avid Reader,
Erin
@The_Branderwood_Abode
Love all of this! The biggest improvements are proper sized rugs, curtains hung higher than the window to make windows appear larger, and not hanging pictures too high. I also think a nicely stocked powder room is almost as important as the coat closet. Finally, a front door/entrance that is tidy: no spider webs, leaves swept away, dead plants replaced with living ones, a clean (not worn) door mat, well-lit for the evenings, and a door hanger/basket/wreath that isn’t sun-streaked or dingy. Thanks for your inspiring tips!
What are your thoughts on faux plants in a basement familyroom? Love your style!!!
I totally get it and it wouldn’t bother me ins someone else’s home. But I wouldn’t in mine. I would do a snake plant!!
I love your blog and most of your advice with the exception of feather/down pillows. No offense intended but plz, plz, plz read this. It is so sad how it’s harvested. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-foul-truth-behind-the-down-in-pillows-and-comforters/
Brooke, I love your feed and the joy and inspiration and Christ centered home that you have! I love looking at all of your plants and I hope that someday you will do a post on kitty friendly houseplants. I have two kitties, and my Lucy is mostly Siamese ( they are busy busy and sooo curious)and she will not let any sort of plant or flower alone. So I can’t have anything that might be harmful. She has spent the last month picking off all of the soft parts from my pussy willow branches… Just to give an example! Of course they do this while I am not home.😂
Thank you!! If you go to http://www.thesill.com they feature “pet friendly” plants!! that might help you!!
I have the same issue. I want real plants so much, but many plants are not safe for cats and the ones that are get attacked by my cats and destroyed! I can only have them in spots they can’t reach which are few and far between. Such a bummer! But I do enjoy all of these tips and will be looking to follow them as I put my new (to me) house together.
Love following you. You always have great information to share with everyday people. I like that you have items featured that is withiny budget (target, Amazon, Walmart). What plants do you suggest for low light and very easy to maintain?? Inli e in the cold MN tundra and am eager for anything green! Thank you Brooke!
–Jenny
I love this post – it’s amazing how a few simple rules can really help. We moved 2.5 years ago and I only put up artwork that meant something to us – I still have other art in my basement, but I don’t think they’ll ever get hung! I also love the tip about eye level – thank you!
I love all of these tips! I do have a question though: if I have a very long rectangular living room should I do two rugs? I’m having the hardest time figuring it out so that all of the furniture has at least two legs on the rug.
Loved your article. I am headed out to get new inserts for my flat pillows!!
Great tips! Lamps that are too small are just as bad as too small rugs in my opinion! I wish my Walmart carried more of the stylish decor that I see online. I don’t know if it is too small of a store but it only has very basic items. 🤷♀️
What is that fabulous color in #5? I’ve been repainting our hallway daily because what I chose doesnt look right! THIS is it!!!
Thanks! it is called Gray from Benjamin Moore 2121-10
Love these ideas!!! I struggle with art on the wall. We just moved a couple of weeks ago and are living out of boxes! Good time for us to find the kids art and family pictures that make us smile. That’s what’s going on my walls!!
Avoiding your home looking cheap with a post sponsored by Walmart, and all links to Walmart home decor? I think better advice is to buy less, and spend wisely on pieces that last. Mix in fun stuff by thrifting. Support a local shop. Antique and secondhand shops with a little DIY. Support a local craftsperson. There are many ways to develop your home’s style. Walmart though? Really?
The vision and inspiration I once got from this blog has changed dramatically with the sponsorship direction of past months. I’ll see myself out. I’ll also avoid leaving a real name since public comment bashing for dissent seems to be a new trend here as well.
I hope you find your way back to the gorgeous and authentic aesthetic you once expressed. It was a lovely journey with you for the longest time. <3
I am sorry you feel that way. Walmart offered a sponsored post and rather than buying all new products, I featured a bunch of projects I have done in the past- showing Walmart as a resource. As well as giving design tips, that I thought would be helpful to my reader.
I feel I tried to be creative with a sponsored post. I spend a lot of money to run my blog and once in awhile I accept a sponsored post.
If you follow me at all you see the at I GIFT my sponsored posts majority of the time. I actually spend my own money and buy the items and donate ALL of my time. Plus share the ideas here on my blog for FREE for you to read.
Here are just a FEW examples of sponsored posts where I have given ALL of the product plus ALL of my time-
https://nestingwithgrace.com/weekend-entry-makeover-with-painted-cement-tile
https://nestingwithgrace.com/family-room-makeover/
https://nestingwithgrace.com/entry-makeover-with-color-of-the-year/
https://nestingwithgrace.com/living-room-makeover-choosing-the-right-furniture/
https://nestingwithgrace.com/dark-furniture-to-bright-with-wallpaper-accent-wall/
I am sure you are trying to earn a living somewhere and I hope the best for you.
You will be missed.
Best wishes
Brooke
Love this post! I actually feel like I do well in all your categories! But I really can’t take the credit— it’s all because I follow you and I’ve taken your advice over the years to decorate my home !!!!! 🏡💕💕💕. Thank you for everything you do, the fabulous ideas that you share, and for inspiring me! Plus you’re just very positive and interesting and I love watching your stories every morning. I’ve learned so much from you! “Make it cozy, they will come!”— it works ❤️ Thank you!
I wanted to say for all of you who think you don’t have a “green thumb, the number one thing you can do to help plants thrive aside from water and proper light is relaxing when you work with them. I am not always certain of the perfect way to do this or that with reporting and such but I take a moment each and every time I care for them to relax and find joy in the process. I used to literally worry all of my plants to death, and now we love each other lol 🙂
LOVE, love this post. I needed to be reminded about not “staging” decor or worrying about something looking too perfect. Making it our own is what’s welcoming. Using my existing things and rearranging, adding a new rug and a real plant….great ideas all around. Thank you!
I LOVE this post! You always share simple ways to change things up in my home that I can actually do. Putting rooms together takes me such a long time, and your tips help immensely! Thank you!
Love all these suggestions, they help a lot!! I love decorating and mixing old with new….older furniture, new paint or use around the house. Thanks for keeping us inspired…AND I LOVE WALMART!! LOL
Great post! Thank you for these tips! Btw I have 2 live plants now 👏🏻
I love and agree with all of these. Love your ideas so much. One that drives me crazy is when people line all of their furniture up against the walls!! Unless of course you’re using the room for a dance floor! 😳😉😂
What kind of plant is the beautiful large plant in tip #4 from?! Great post!!
Thank you! I got that at Home Depot! It is a type of monstera
Love this. Would never of thought of Walmart , thanks for the ideas. Great items at affordable prices!
Great post!! Love all of the information and links to other areas on your blog. I definitely agree with every single tip! 🙂
Thank you so much!!
This is great! We have curtains and white faux-wood blinds but I really think I want to make the switch to the bamboo shades. However, they seem sold out everywhere. Do you happen to know if they’ll be restocked? I love the softness of that whitewash color. Thanks for all your tips!
I saw that!!! I am not sure- I will try to find out!!
I wish you lived in Colorado! My husband and I just bought a house and are trying to set up our basement for Airbnb. In lieu of you living on the east coast, I’ll try to stick with these tips for decorating 😉 I do have one question- where did you get your blue curtains that are in your living room? I love the shade of blue (if they are actually blue, my eyes could be deceiving me).
Hi! Love the post! Moving into my first home soon and we have a huge master bedroom! What size rug would you recommend for a large master bedroom with a queen size bed?
Thanks!
Hi! Well typically an 8×10 is best scale with a queen bed!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your ‘I Love You’ pillow (as shown on the chair in the pic above about window treatments)! Where can I find one please, and thank you!!!
…LOVE Open Gym by the way, thanks for sharing! It’s my new go-to workout!
Oh yay!! That is from sugarboo.com I love it!!
Brooke, what a great post! I know these things will make your home look “off” but it’s great to have all of this in one post so we can keep it in mind when decorating our homes! The too small rug always gets me, it just looks terrible!