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When it comes to creating the home of your dreams, you may be buying into a major myth that is keeping you from making changes: that you have to spend a lot of money to score pieces that look elegant and give rooms an instant upgrade. But here’s the thing: Even interior designers rely on affordable pieces to bridge the gap between a bare bones home and one that is spectacular and customized to suit your style. But you don’t have to take my word for it — I reached out to several interior designers who weighed in to give you these 38 cheap tricks designers use to make homes look way better.
You may be surprised to learn that the most relied-upon tricks don’t always involve major pieces like plush sofas and ornate dining room tables. A crisp set of towels, a trio of brass candlestick holders, or a Greek-inspired bust that you can mount to your wall and fill with greenery are not going to hurt your wallet but will add a stately aesthetic to different rooms in your home. Something as simple as swapping your salad bowl for an acacia wood bowl with straight sides — or incorporating a mid-century Sputnik chandelier into your kitchen or living room — will make an enormous difference.
All of the picks on this list are cheap or relatively affordable — most cost less than $50 — and you can shop with the confidence of knowing professional interior designers give these a big thumb’s up.
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