Great Looks for Less

Creating a room of inspiration does not mean having a hefty price tag.

More people want luxury in their homes, even if it is just a touch of elegance.  Design inspiration is everywhere; glossy decorating magazines; a treasured vacation at a charming inn or the décor in that special restaurant you love.  Not everyone can afford the opulence of a high-end inspiration room, but sometimes all it takes are a few new key elements to make a room look like a million dollars.  By choosing products that offer timeless style and affordability, you can come surprisingly close to matching the elegant look of an inspiration room.  Here are a few tips on essential elements:

• Invest in dramatic differences.  Invest in items that will make a striking difference.  For example, interior doors are often overlooked, but due to their large size they can make a dramatic visual impact.  The same goes with windows which offer the dual benefit of great looks and enhanced performance (think energy efficiency).
• Focus on details.  The shape of a lamp or picture frame is often what stands out in an inspiration room, not the material or price tag.  Ask yourself what you like about the product’s detail and then go searching for it.
• Look for overlapping features.  Manufacturers may offer similar features in both their high-end and more affordable product lines, so do your homework to see if these options are available across the board.  For example, divided lites are available on window, patio door and exterior door lines across several different price points.  Divided lites divides the glass on the window, patio door or exterior door into smaller sections and creates an architecturally specific look.
• Focus on color.  Incorporating colorful items such as new bedding or a lampshade is often enough to take an ordinary room to the level of an inspiration room.
• Bargain shop.  One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.  Scour online auction sites or estate sales for high-end items that offer the style and price you are looking for.
• Remember, it doesn’t have to be exact.  Inspiration means infusing your style into the design, rather than exact replication.  Trying to find the identical lamp or bedding from an inspiration room is highly unlikely.  Most experts say to get as close to the look and style as you can and then move on to the next item on your list.