8 Low-Cost Luxuries With a Big Payoff

I’m a firm believer that details make the difference in every aspect of our lives. When it comes to beautifully designed homes, the same details that take a space from ho-hum to stunning are often overlooked because of how subtle they are.

In fact, the most luxurious touches aren’t the ones that take center stage. Heated floors, Carrara marble countertops and remote-control window coverings may not be in the budget for most of us, but it doesn’t take a huge indulgence to give your home a next-level feel. The following are some of my favorite ways to add a little luxury to your life.

By the Numbers

When it comes to your home’s exterior, updated house numbers are an easy way to make a difference. I recommend standing across the street to determine whether the current placement of your numbers is clearly visible — especially if they are not lighted in the evening.

If they are set back and hard to see, consider moving them to the most front-facing part of your property, whether that’s a garage wall or a gated entry. Bold, modern styles such as the numbers pictured are an elegant upgrade.


Let There Be Light

Outdoor lighting can be easy to overlook, but it’s one of the first things you see before walking in the door. Gorgeous fixtures are easy to come by and more affordable than you might think.

The outdoor lights on this midcentury-style home are not only the perfect size for the elongated front porch, they cast an unexpectedly interesting sunburst pattern on the wall.

It’s important to keep style and scale in mind when swapping out fixtures. You don’t want to choose something so small that it gets lost, but you also don’t want a fixture that overpowers the style of the home.

Note: I strongly recommend having a professional electrician install new fixtures. You never know what condition the existing wiring might be in (frayed or rusted wires are common outdoors) and whether repairs need to be made.

Find electricians near you


Speaking of lights, switches and switch plates occupy the top of the forgotten-about-details list. I’m not talking about replacing what you have with another everyday switch cover; I’m talking about upgrading to one of the sexy new styles available at nearly every hardware store.

Chic options such as LeGrande’s Adorne collection elevate the humble switch in a major way. Today’s choices come in a wide range of colors and finishes — some of which have built-in dimmers and motion sensors. (Genius if you have young children who forget to turn off lights when they leave a room!)


Many vendors also offer clear switch plates, such as this Forbes & Lomax model. It’s a little bit futuristic-James-Bond-cool, making the switch nearly disappear.


Browse switch plates in Products


Sillites Floor ReceptacleOut of Sight, Out of Mind

I once toured a magnificent home that became a turning point for the way I looked at luxury. One of the things that struck me most is that no electrical cords were visible anywhere. They weren’t traversing the family room floor or tacked down with a plastic cord keeper. They weren’t even twist-tied together. I felt like I had died and gone to design heaven.

I decided that it was truly the height of luxury to have electrical outlets placed exactly where you need them — such as in the floor. Older homes tend to have a dearth of outlets, while open-concept floor plans make it challenging to figure out where to plug in your lights and electronics.

Having floor outlets installed gives you the opportunity to place your side table lamps exactly where you want them without mucking up the space with unsightly cords.


Designer Drains Collection - $100Cover Ups

A shower or tub drain probably isn’t something you would put into the luxury category. And yet, functional things made aesthetically pleasing are the absolute definition of luxury, because they are beautiful for no other reason than they can be.

Replacing your current drain cover with a decorative model, such as these from Designer Drains, can make even the blandest shower look a little fancier.


Most people never give register covers a second thought. But making the change from a run-of-the-mill metal register to something with style makes a world of difference. With finishes such as stainless steel, brass, bronze, chrome and wood, you can instantly add great design to a rather lowly everyday item.


Quality Counts

No matter what changes you make in your home, choosing quality items will always make a big impact. In nearly every article about refreshing your home, throw pillows are mentioned. But what you may not consider is that pillows stuffed with inorganic inserts such as Polyfil look much different than a pillow filled with down or cotton blend.

A pillow with a quality insert sits better on your furnishings, is more comfortable to lay your head on, and lasts far longer than an inexpensive one. Acrylic inserts tend to get misshapen and lumpy very quickly and are not really comfortable to lean against.

Switching out your pillows is a relatively inexpensive way to add some glamour to your home, but the difference between a good-quality insert and a bad-quality insert is readily noticeable. Compare them side by side, and you’ll see what I mean.

More: Mood Makers: Luxurious Looks on a Budget

URL: 8 Low-Cost Luxuries With a Big Payoff http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-23929.html