EVERYONE’S interior decor style is different – while some homeowners prefer a classic and timeless look, others might opt for something more eccentric.
But whatever your preferences, one expert has said they can instantly tell if you have cheap taste without even raising their eyes.
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And it’s also bad news if you love a shipping trip to Ikea.
Daniel Ufland, founder of the online interior styling platform Flitch, has said there are eight things that can make your home look cheap.
But he has also shared his top advice on how you can decorate your home to create a luxurious look on a budget.
Daniel said: “People are often really worried about making their home look cheap instead of stylish.”
Inconsistent flooring
According to the experts, having inconsistent flooring across your home instantly makes your home look cheap.
And it means that visitors don’t even need to look up from their shoes before coming to that conclusion.
Daniel explains: “Having laminate in one room, tile in another, and wood-look vinyl elsewhere creates a fragmented, disjointed feel.
“When floors change drastically from room to room, it interrupts the visual flow of the home, making it feel pieced together rather than cohesive.
“To avoid this, choose one type of flooring, or at least one consistent material or tone, for the main living areas.
“Even if you opt for budget-friendly materials, keeping the flooring consistent across your home will create a more polished and unified look.”
He advises: “Be wary of grey-toned wood alternatives, as they can sometimes make a home look cold and artificial.
“Warmer, neutral tones tend to feel more inviting and timeless.”
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Matching flat-pack furniture
We all love a trip to Ikea – the furniture is top quality and sturdy, with something for just about every room in the house.
But Daniel has told how this could be making your home look cheap without you even realising it.
He said: “Filling your space with matching flat pack furniture creates a generic, cookie-cutter feel.
“Flat pack furniture is often mass-produced, made from flimsy materials like particleboard, and lacks a unique character that gives a room personality.
“While it may be affordable and convenient, using too much of it—especially when all the pieces are identical—leaves your space feeling sterile and uninspired.
“Instead, mix flatpack pieces with second-hand or vintage finds that add charm to your home.
“Thrift stores, antique markets, and online resale platforms can provide affordable alternatives that are more durable and visually interesting.
“Even if you buy second-hand furniture that doesn’t quite fit your colour scheme, you can learn to restore or repaint it to suit your aesthetic.”
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The wrong rug
Rugs can be the perfect addition to a living room – they provide comfort, warmth, and definition to a space whilst also adding some character.
But if you don’t get the size right, it can actually have the opposite effect.
The experts revealed: “The size of your rug can have a dramatic impact on how expensive or cheap your room feels.
“A rug that is too small for the space makes everything around it—furniture, decor, and the room itself—look out of proportion and poorly thought out.
“Small rugs often expose large areas of bare floor, making the room feel disjointed and unfinished.
“For living rooms, your rug should be large enough for the front legs of all your furniture to sit on.
“Ideally, there should be about 12 to 18 inches of space between the rug and the walls.
“For dining rooms, choose a rug that is large enough for chairs to sit comfortably on it, even when pulled out from the table.”
Disproportionate furniture
It’s not just rugs that you need to get the size right with – even the size of your furniture can impact how your home looks.
The experts say: “Whether it’s a sofa that’s too big for a small living room or a coffee table that’s too small for the seating arrangement, poorly scaled furniture disrupts the balance of a room.
“The result is a space that feels either cramped or unfinished, as if the furniture was chosen without regard for the room’s dimensions.
“To avoid this, measure your space carefully and choose furniture that fits its proportions.
“Large rooms benefit from statement pieces that fill the space without overwhelming it, while smaller rooms require more compact, multifunctional furniture.
“The goal is to strike a balance between positive and negative space, so that the room feels both spacious and cosy.
“Likewise, make sure that artwork and decor fit the size of the walls to create a harmonious, well-balanced look.”
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Overloaded decor
It’s also important that you don’t overdo it with the decor as well, as this can also make your home look cheap.
Daniel says: “Filling every surface and wall with decor might seem like a good way to personalise your space, but it often leads to a cluttered and overcrowded space, making your home look cheap.
“Even if they are beautiful individually, this mass of items can overwhelm the room.
“Instead of highlighting key pieces, a decor overload creates chaos, making it hard for the eye to settle on any particular feature.
“The solution is to choose a few statement pieces and give them room to shine.
“Think of decor as an accent to the overall design, not the focal point.”
TOP ADVICE
DANIEL has shared his top pieces of advice for how to make your home feel expensive without breaking the bank.
And it’s all about the small details in your home.
“One of the simplest and most budget-friendly ways to make your home feel more expensive is through attention to the little details.
“Start by upgrading the hardware in your space—swapping out old or basic cabinet handles, drawer pulls, and door knobs with more refined, high-quality options can instantly elevate the look of a room
“Another overlooked factor is the trim work.
“Adding crown moulding, baseboards, or wainscoting can give your walls a custom, luxurious feel without a hefty price tag.
“It’s all about creating those subtle visual cues that hint at craftsmanship and quality.
“Additionally, consider incorporating more texture into your home.
“Layering different materials like velvet, linen, or silk in your curtains, pillows, and upholstery can bring depth and richness to your decor.”
Overdoing chintz
Having too much chintz can also have the same effect, according to experts.
They say: “Too much chintz can quickly overwhelm a space and make it look cheap.
“When chintz is used excessively—whether in fabrics, wallpapers, or accessories—it shifts from charming to cluttered and old-fashioned.
“Use chintz sparingly, as an accent rather than the main feature.
“Incorporate it in small doses—through pillows, a single chair, or a window treatment—so that it enhances the room rather than overtaking it.”
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Outdated lighting
You might not realise it, but lighting can have a huge impact on the feel of a room – and if you don’t get it right, it can make a room feel cheap.
Daniel explains: “Lighting plays a huge role in how a room feels; harsh overhead lights, old fixtures, or a lack of ambient lighting can create a cold, uninviting atmosphere.
“Fixtures that look dated drag down the aesthetic of the entire space, no matter how well-decorated it may be.
“Layer your lighting with a combination of overhead, task, and accent lighting.
“Dimmers are also a great addition, as they allow you to control the intensity of light to suit the time of day.”
Cheap wall treatments
Having too many wall treatments can make your home look cheap if they are not styled correctly, experts say.
Daniel suggests: “Elaborate or overly themed wall treatments, such as bold accent walls with murals or outdated paint techniques like sponge painting, often date a space and detract from its elegance.
“If you want to add interest to your walls, consider subtle architectural details like crown moulding or wall panelling, which add texture and depth without overwhelming the space.”
