Life, Styled
We all have an idea of what our dream home would look like, after all, that is what places like Houzz and Pinterest are for, right? You wish you could have those little personalized spaces and upscale feel in your home that makes it stand out from the ordinary. Sometimes we believe that the home we envision is far too luxurious for our budget, but that is not true. But with a little creative thinking, anything is possible! There are many ways to stretch a budget through good planning and a few helpful tricks that can give you the luxury you desire without breaking the bank. Let’s explore the various ways to achieve designing a luxury home on a budget and bring your dreams to life.
It’s in the Details
Often, it is the small things that have the greatest impact on the overall look and feel of the home. Together, these modest items can combine to give any space a sense of luxury and elegance when appropriately planned. Some of them include:
- Window treatments
- Backsplash
- Fixtures
- Rugs
- Hardware
Implementing these design styles can make a significant difference in your home. Window treatments are meant to enhance your windows, giving a luxurious feel. A bare window can make a room look empty and unfinished. There are various options, including floor-length curtains, layers, and even simple valances. Each is intended to accent the window and add depth to the area. A backsplash is another excellent way to add character and charm to your kitchen without hurting your budget, plus it provides texture and protection from grease splatters and other messes. It can also be turned into a nice focal point when a contrasting color or pattern is selected. Both lighting and plumbing fixtures are wonderful ways to instantly add a little luxury to the kitchen or bathroom. Warm metals like brass and gold have become increasingly popular as they add a unique touch to the design. They work well with multiple color choices, such as white, gray, and blue, and integrate seamlessly with various styles, whether farmhouse or traditional. Luxury is not just about looks, but also how it makes you feel, which is why rugs are a great choice for your home. The texture and layering it brings to your living space are important and also add comfort. Size is important when selecting a rug, and a good rule of thumb is to ensure it never takes up the whole room, but rather provides sufficient coverage that extends under a portion of the furniture. Jewelry and luxury often go hand in hand, so when we talk about hardware, we usually emphasize what it can do for your cabinets. Coming in a wide range of colors and materials, the choices are endless, and the cost is not bank-breaking. Be sure to discuss with your designer the details to include in your home renovation or refresh.
Luxury Style
Often, luxury is not just found in certain things but in how they make us feel; the overall style of a room matters and should be given careful consideration. It is essential to know what style makes us feel comfortable, as well as one that conveys a sense of elegance. Take inventory of the images saved in your Pinterest boards. Are there specific colors that stand out to you? What about materials such as glass, leather, or even wood? What type of finish do you prefer? Gold, brass, bronze, copper, brushed nickel, silver? Are there specific places you have stayed at, like a vacation home or resort, where you loved everything about it? Try to remember specific details that you could implement into your own home. Knowing the answers to these questions can help you and your designer formulate a renovation plan to give you those luxurious vibes on budget. Luxury and comfort often go hand in hand, especially at family gatherings.
Additional Interior Design Tips
When it comes to designing a luxury home, much of the work lies in the overall interior design plan. Here are a few more tips that can help you create and maintain a luxury feel.
- No clutter
- Furniture
- Color
- Art
Clutter will always be your number one enemy in quenching the feeling of luxury. A crowded and cluttered space never feels upscale, so be sure to have a plan in place to deal with the clutter before it becomes a problem. Don’t yield to the temptation of forming a junk pile of mail, papers, and magazines that you never intend to read. Either throw it away as soon as you bring it in or put it, like magazines, where you will read them, such as your nightstand or coffee table. Designate a specific area for shoes, coats, and backpacks in a closet near the door or a mudroom. This eliminates a mess in the entryway and speeds up your routine, as you will spend less time looking for the things you need. We know that time is also a luxury. Furniture plays a big part in the design of your room, but you don’t have to buy the biggest piece to make it feel fabulous. Pairing a couch with a lovely textured pillow over a plain one can make a big difference. Add a nice lamp stand and coffee table, and you are on your way to chic. Color can also have an impact on luxury, and sometimes dark palettes can feel more luxurious than the classic neutrals, such as gray and white. A black accent wall or even ceiling can transform your home into a luxury suitable for any palace. You can even go dark with accent pieces and furniture with a few pops of warm metal or glass. A final touch is artwork. A large piece on the wall can be not only a focal point but also a sense of elegance that demands attention. It does not have to be a specific picture; it can be a fun, abstract piece that speaks directly to you. A little of these will always go a long way.
You moved into a house that allows you to have an extra bedroom, or maybe the kids have finally left, and you have a spare room, but now what? We would all agree that it is nice to have a spare bedroom, but should it be a guest bedroom, craft room, home gym, or something else entirely? Extra space is a good thing, but if it goes to waste, it has no value. Take the time to evaluate what you need and what could benefit you the most. A good plan yields excellent results and a space that will benefit you now and add value to your home later. Let’s explore some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
The master bathroom is considered a special retreat for the owners, a place of relaxation. Over the years, the design has changed from a garden tub and shower combo to walk-in showers and soaker tubs. Some wonder if both are needed or if one is more essential than the other. We want to explore the pros and cons of each and help you know which one is the best fit for you, or if you should have both.
Liver mush. Cleveland County is famous for its liver mush and the festival that has celebrated it for the past 30 years. Due to COVID-19, however, our community had to do some quick thinking to enjoy our yearly tradition still safely. This is how the first-ever virtual liver mush festival was born, and we at Greenbrook Design are honored to be one of the sponsors. Individuals were invited to share a video of themselves preparing their favorite way to enjoy liver mush for a chance to win cash and prizes valued at over $1,000.
The bare essentials. That is how some would describe a minimalist design style, one void of color and personality. A house designed with this style will only have the necessities needed to function, but that is not the case. While it is true that the minimalist style lacks the extra fluff and sparkle of other styles, it is still a beautiful choice for those who are looking to create a space with simplicity. Let’s unpack this style to see if it suits your home.
When you think of creating a unique space or finding extra storage, does your mind go to your stairs? Probably not, but there is so much that can be done with this unique space. Let’s explore what you can do with your staircase to get that little something extra you have been looking for.





Walker Woodworking
Greenbrook Design 


Greenbrook Design
Greenbrook Design