Modern Mama Life

First Things First

Instead of buying things to get organized and upgrade your home, get rid of a couple of things first. I know this can be really hard. The question you need to ask yourself is, “Would I miss this if it disappeared tonight?”

Getting rid of unwanted things from your home makes the biggest difference. One afternoon, when the baby was asleep, I took the opportunity to start clearing out my kitchen. Cleaned the counters, put away unused appliances, got rid of grocery bills and some other stuff lying around that somehow got accumulated. The only thing left on my kitchen counter in the corner was my bamboo plant. The results from those 20 minutes were instant. And I didn’t spend a single dollar!

Now that we are finished with the most important task, here are some cost-effective renovations you can go ahead with that will make you feel opulent without breaking the bank.

Large Indoor plants

Using large indoor plants instantly elevate the look of any room making it more calm, homely and luxurious. You can consider keeping a Monstera or fiddle leaf plant that make a statement. These can be kept in the corner of a spacious room, beside a couch or your TV stand, or near large windows. You may also keep one in the bathroom provided there is sufficient natural light.

Other plants like snake plant or rubber plant are slightly smaller but low-maintenance and also considered lucky plants. Have a look at my post on the top 5 lucky plants that bring wealth to your home here.

Elegant Lighting that makes your home look expensive

Upgrading the lighting can bring about a massive change in the warmth, depth and luxury feel of a room. If you have a small space, opt for a modern chandelier or a good antique table lamp. If possible, install a dimmer to suit various occassions and moods. Its always better to have separate lighting instead of one central ceiling light.

Another inexpensive option you can use is to insert LED strips behind shelves or cabinets. They are wonderful for that extra luxurious feel.

💡 Pro Tip: Expensive-looking homes aren’t always filled with expensive furniture. Often, the biggest difference comes from understanding layout, balance, lighting, and styling.

If you’d like a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful home, the Dreamhome Guide is a great resource for beginners and homeowners looking to elevate their space.

The Dreamhome Guide here

Layering sheer curtains behind drapes

Sheer curtains gives the room a look of elegance and sophistication. Higher drapes adds more texture and height to the room and ensure they go right to the floor, also known as ceiling-to-floor drapes. They give a luxury aesthetic look like that of a luxury hotel room. The best combination for sheer curtains would be when they are paired with blackout drapes.

Large pieces of art

Large-scale artwork can make a home feel curated and designer-inspired. The best places to portray these huge pieces would be over the bed, sofas or in your dining area. Entryway walls could be a good option too.

Simple textured art, floral or botanical pieces go well in bedrooms or living room areas. This art style pairs well with linen curtains giving the room a luxurious polished feel.

Neutral-colored large rugs

The easiest way to make a feel luxurious is by placing an oversized rug in a prominent place of the room. Soft colours brings a calm, sophisticated foundation to any room style. Choose colours like beige, cream or light grey for a modern look.

If you choose to place the rug in your living room, place it under the front legs of the sofa or chair. For a more luxury-look, pair a woolen rug with velvet cushions and a wooden coffee table.

Let your home breathe

Its not necessary that you fill every corner of your home with something. Just because there’s a spot on the shelf empty, you need not fill it. What I’ve learnt is that expensive homes are not crowded. There are empty spaces in between that leave room for your eyes to rest. If you are someone who likes to fill every shelf with something, let some spaces go and although it may seem strange at first, it will make the room look more sophisticated.