Design Playbook

Design Playbook

How To Add Character To Your Home On A Budget

Words by Sanctuaire Interiors

Layer, Layer, and Then Layer Some More

The easiest way to add character to your home and make it feel luxe is to add layers, and then add more layers. By adding a few intentional elements to a room, it can feel polished and collected without being cluttered or messy. Your home should be a reflection of you and make you feel happy when you are there. Keep personalized items like framed photos, travel mementos, or heirloom pieces (either from Grandma or an antique shop) to set your home apart, but don’t overdo it. You can add dimension and interest to your home decor by layering a modern mirror over a console table with a large piece of art, incorporating a few patterns on your throw pillows, or placing a woven tray under your centerpiece.

Dress Your Walls

Trends right now are rich in color and texture, which is a cost-effective way to elevate your space on a budget. You can add decorative trim molding, tongue and groove, wallpaper, or paint color or texture like limewash or Roman clay to your walls. None of these trends are new, but they have gained a lot of popularity in recent years. By adding something interesting to your walls, you can easily elevate the space to set a tone for the room. One of the easiest ways to incorporate this trend is to fully saturate a room in color: walls, ceiling, baseboards, and even the interior of the door.

Mix Your Metals

This idea is not new, but it’s here to stay. Having everything match is fine, but it can feel boring and cookie-cutter. Mixing metals within your space is all about balance. The key to mixing metals, whether in your bathroom or kitchen, is to keep it intentional and cohesive. A good rule of thumb is to pick a polished metal and pair it with a matte or brushed metal. Think brushed brass with polished nickel. In most cases, keep it to only two metals in a single space. If the thought of mixing metals still isn’t for you, try doing a mix of hardware styles: pulls, knobs, latches all add unexpected character when used together.

Play with Rugs

One of the simplest ways to dress up or change the vibe of a room is to change out your area rug or add one. At Shoppe Sanctuaire, we offer a wide variety of rugs at different price points and are happy to help you choose the right one for your space. Size and placement are key to the foundation your rug creates in the room. A rug that's too small feels visually incomplete and doesn’t offer the grounding room definition that it should. Most living rooms can support a 9’x12’ rug or larger, and the goal is to get all of the front legs or all the legs of your furniture on the rug. If the rug you love is too small, then we suggest layering a larger simple rug underneath for dimension.

Mood Lighting

One of our favorite ways to change the look of a room is to swap out the overhead light fixture with a new one. There are endless options out there at so many price points, and with the simple help of a licensed electrician, your home can have a whole new feel. Even a new ceiling fan can make a simple room interesting with so many stylish options. If an electrician isn’t in your budget, ambient lighting will help a room feel intentional. Even a cute mini lamp on a vanity or kitchen counter can add character in an unexpected location.