15 Things That Instantly Make Your Home Look Cheap

Most people spend months decorating their house to match their tastes as soon as they move in. Yet, once they are done, they rarely go back to it. Plenty of houses still feature designs and decors that were surely in vogue decades ago but probably aren’t nowadays. Is this the case for your house?

Of course, you are the only person living there, meaning that you should be the only one deciding whether or not you like how your house looks. Yet, if you think it’s time to modernize, you will probably find this article useful. Here are 15 things that give your house a cheap look.

Clutter Overload

Leaving too many items on display can make your space feel chaotic and unorganized, detracting from its overall appeal. A space may lose its charm when it is unkempt, and clutter takes over, no matter how lovely. To avoid this, regularly declutter and organize your belongings. Use storage solutions like baskets, shelves, and cabinets to conceal your belongings and maintain a clean, streamlined look.

Mismatched Furniture

Mismatched furniture can give your space a disjointed and haphazard feel. Aim for a cohesive style by choosing furniture pieces that complement each other. If you have mismatched items, consider unifying them with paint or slipcovers in coordinating colors.

Furniture often wears out quickly, leading to a worn-out and less sophisticated look over time. Be careful with its wear and tear and repair it instantly.

Old Fixtures

Old-fashioned lighting and hardware can date your home, making it seem neglected and less modern. They can also dramatically affect a room’s ambience. Cheap or outdated lighting fixtures can detract from your home’s overall appearance. Invest in quality lighting options like chandeliers, sconces, and modern lamps to elevate your space.

Overcrowded Rooms

Overfilling a room with furniture and decor can make it feel cramped and overwhelming. Ensure each room has enough space for movement and breathing room by selecting a few key pieces that serve a purpose and removing unnecessary items. The best way to improve your house is simply to throw away everything you no longer need. So, don’t be lazy and spend a day getting rid of stuff.

Fake Plants

Artificial plants can appear tacky and lifeless, lacking the vibrant touch that natural greenery brings to a room. While low-maintenance, fake plants often look gaudy and out of place. Opt for natural or high-quality faux plants that mimic the look of lifelike foliage to add a touch of nature to your home. Or, if you are good with plants, get real ones! Monsteras and pothos look amazing in every room.

Trend Overuse

Mixing too many decor styles without a cohesive plan can make your home feel disjointed and poorly thought out. Too many trends can make your home look like a showroom rather than a personal space. Choose timeless pieces and incorporate trends sparingly to ensure your home remains stylish and unique through time. You surely don’t want to change furniture every year.

Bad Paint Job

A sloppy paint job with uneven coats or visible brush strokes can make your home look amateurish. Take the time to prep your walls properly, use quality paint, and apply it carefully. If painting isn’t your strength, consider hiring a professional. You may also opt for different ways to apply your paint which give your wall a more messy look on purpose. These styles look unique and will last longer.

Inconsistent Décor

A lack of consistency in your decor can create a chaotic and unappealing look. Embrace a color palette that speaks to you and own it throughout your home. Ensure that the style of your furniture and decor items complements each other for a harmonious appearance. Overloading your walls with personal photos can also overwhelm visitors and detract from the room’s decor.

Low-Quality Textiles

Cheap textiles like thin curtains, polyester bedspreads, and worn-out rugs can bring down the overall look of your home. Frayed, stained, or outdated rugs can drag down the look of an entire room, making it seem old and neglected. Similarly, plastic tablecloths can give your dining area a temporary, unrefined appearance, suggesting a lack of attention to detail.

Invest in high-quality textiles that feel luxurious and last longer, such as cotton, linen, and wool.

Outdated Hardware

Old or cheap hardware on cabinets and doors can make your home look dated. Upgrade to modern, stylish handles, knobs, and pulls to refresh your space and add a touch of sophistication instantly. Also, imitation materials like faux marble or laminate pretending to be wood can come off as inauthentic and reduce the perceived value of your home.

Visible Cords

Exposed electrical cords and cables create visual clutter, making a space look unfinished and messy. It can make your home look untidy and disorganized. Use cable management solutions like cord covers, cable clips, and cable boxes to keep them hidden and maintain a clean, polished look. Plus, you will never have to waste time disentangling your cables again!

Neglected Exterior

The outside of your home is the first thing people see, so a neglected exterior can make your entire property look cheap. Regularly maintain your lawn, garden, and exterior surfaces by cleaning, painting, and repairing as needed. This will enhance the look and feel of your home, making it appear more polished and well-designed and creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Low-Quality Plates

Investing in high-quality plates, pots, pans, glasses, mugs, and so on will make a big difference. Just think about it: how often do you use these? Probably every single day, right? So, it makes sense to invest in high-quality pieces that will last a fortune, right? Plus, cooking with good tools will make this activity easier and more enjoyable while making your meal taste better!

Bad Bed Sheets And Blankets

Like your kitchen tools, ensuring you have great bed sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and so on will make a massive difference. You spend hours of your time here every single day! Plus, even though we rarely think about this, how we style our bed can greatly impact how the rest of the room looks. So, choose high-quality materials and great patterns.

Hundreds Of Old Magazines

No, we are not referring to your wonderfully displayed collection of National Geographic magazines. But what about your kitchen? Do you also have a bunch of magazines from your local supermarket dating back to 2000 featuring that recipe you never tried? And what about that random woman’s magazine collection that has been crowding your toilet for the last five years? There’s no problem in having magazines, but once you’re done reading them, make sure to buy new ones and throw the old ones away.

Avoiding these common mistakes ensures your home looks polished, stylish, and inviting. Paying attention allows you to create a space that reflects your style without appearing cheap. Remember, minor changes often make the most significant difference in transforming your home into a sophisticated sanctuary.