JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Furniture is arguably a must-have item in any home.
Whether you live in a small house, a rented house, or have small children who tend to damage things, you need to have at least one or two pieces of furniture at home.
Also read: 4 Furniture Items That Should Not Be Repainted, as They Can Ruin the Look
This is because furniture not only completes the look of a room, but also beautifies it.
However, you don’t need to buy expensive furniture to decorate your home. If you are on a budget, you can use cheap furniture.
With a little creativity and a minimal budget, you can make furniture with inexpensive materials and styles look expensive. You just need to know the right tips and tricks.
Now, quoted from Real Simple, Wednesday (19/3/2025), here are five ways to make cheap furniture look expensive.
Swap out the hardware
When you finish buying furniture and bring it home, you realize how cheap it looks.
Siobhan Borland-Alvarez, DIY expert and blogger behind Mimosas and Motherhood, says one of the easiest ways to update the look of cheap furniture is to replace the hardware.
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Most budget-friendly furniture comes with plain metal, plastic, or plain metal knobs and handles that don’t add much character and are quite simple, feeling cheap and looking cheap.
“Just replacing those plastic pulls with metal, glass, or even vintage-style knobs can instantly elevate the look of dressers, cabinets, nightstands, and more,” says Borland-Alvarez.
Want to feel more luxurious? Borland-Alvarez recommends choosing brass, deep black, or crystal hardware.
“These little details can make a big impact without breaking the bank. This is a quick DIY upgrade that gives furniture a luxurious and custom feel in minutes,” she said.
Also read: How to Get Rid of Termites from Wooden Furniture
Paint the furniture
Next, a way to make cheap furniture look expensive is to repaint it. A little spray paint can give it a new lease on life.
“This is a DIYer’s secret weapon for turning basic furniture into something that looks luxurious,” adds Borland-Alvarez.
A few coats of gold, deep black, or metallic spray paint can transform knobs, mirror frames, chair legs, and even entire pieces of furniture.
This is an easy and budget-friendly fix that gives a modern and refined feel to any item.
According to Borland-Alvarez, the key to getting started is choosing the right finish, whether satin or matte looks sleek and modern, while bright metallic colors add a bold, luxurious touch.
Also read: 6 Ways to Remove Scratches on Wooden Furniture
Reupholster
Sometimes, the fabric is what prevents an object from looking its best.
Tiffany Glasco, interior designer and founder of Nahla Madison Home, says reupholstering accent chairs and sofas and using sophisticated fabrics can revive any old item and transform it from drab to fab in no time.
Borland-Alvarez says reupholstering is also a great option for dining chairs, headboards, and benches.
“You don’t need fancy equipment or upholstery skills. Most projects only require a staple gun, fabric, and scissors, and many parts don’t even need to be sewn,” said Borland-Alvarez.
If you want a luxurious impression, neutral colors and textured fabrics tend to look best and are timeless.
Also read: 5 Ways to Protect Wooden Furniture from Termite Attacks
Update the lighting around the furniture
According to Glasco, lighting can help beautify a room. If you have thrifty furniture that is outdated or out of date, dynamic lighting can create an atmosphere and emphasize the positive aspects of the thrifty furniture.
So, don’t be afraid to install bold lamps or place fun vintage lamps on cheap tables. This can make a big difference.
Rearrange the furniture you already have
Finally, a way to make cheap furniture look expensive is to rearrange it. “High-quality accessories can instantly elevate even the most basic pieces, making them look luxurious and classy,” adds Borland-Alvarez.
This doesn’t have to be expensive either. You can visit thrift stores to find the right decorations. If the accessories look expensive, people will assume the table is expensive too.
If you have a very limited budget, consider what you might already have. “A simple stack of books, a slim lamp, or a decorative tray with candles or greenery can add luxury and sophistication,” adds Borland-Alvarez.
Try mixing materials, such as glass, wood, and metal for a luxurious and layered feel.
However, it is very important to curate and not clutter. “The key is to keep things minimal and well-organized because clutter can make even expensive furniture look messy,” she added.
So, take a minimalist approach in this case.
Ringkasan
To make cheap furniture look expensive, several simple methods can be employed. Swapping out the existing hardware, such as knobs and handles, with more luxurious options like brass or crystal can significantly enhance the furniture’s appearance. Repainting the furniture with colors like gold or deep black, using finishes like satin or matte, also provides a refined and modern feel, transforming basic furniture into something that looks more upscale.
Other effective strategies include reupholstering chairs and sofas with sophisticated fabrics to revive old items, and updating the lighting around the furniture to emphasize its positive aspects. Rearranging the furniture and adding carefully curated accessories, such as books, lamps, or decorative trays, can also create a luxurious atmosphere. The key is to maintain a minimalist and well-organized approach, as clutter can detract from the overall look, even with expensive furniture.