Rachael Zarda

We’re all out there hustling, working hard for that money to be able to afford the lifestyle we want, right? As a 20-something, it can be discouraging to constantly be exposed to images on Pinterest and Instagram of people who seem to have it all. If you’re like me, you spend quite a bit of time at home. It’s your happy place and you want it to look and feel nice. There are ways to make this happen! Your home can look expensive without spending all of your money in your efforts.

Curtains | If done correctly, curtains can make your ceilings appear higher and your windows appear larger than they actually are. The rod doesn’t need to be hung all the way to the ceiling, but 1/2-2/3 towards the ceiling is a good rule of thumb. Be sure the curtains are long enough to just kiss the floor and wide enough to extend past the window by at least 5-6 inches. Trust me, this is a room changer, and one that won’t cost you much to implement.

Limited color palette | A neutral color palette will not only make your home appear more sophisticated, but it will allow for cohesiveness and will be easier to coordinate old pieces with new. Neutral doesn’t have to be boring! Add in different textures – wood, mixed metals, a variety of fabrics. If you’re a color lover, add one in and play with different hues. This makes it easy to swap things out if you decide to change the room at a later time.

Rugs | Something I see all the time that makes me sad inside: rugs that are too small for the space. Large rugs can be expensive, but they make a room feel complete. If you rent, this is huge. When I was renting I had these awful shaggy brown carpets throughout my apartment. Picking a nice large rug that coordinates with the rest of your decor is not only a great investment since you can bring it with you from place to place, but it will make your space feel more unified.

Mixing styles | A common misconception when decorating is that you’re only allowed to choose one style. The matchy-matchy look often looks cheaper than if you spent a little time searching for different items in different styles to piece together. If you’re shopping for a dining room furniture, don’t buy a set. Get a table at a big-box store and then hit up your local vintage/antique stores for chairs.

Lighting | If there’s one thing I hate, it’s builder-grade boob lights. They’re everywhere. And that’s because they’re cheap. Changing out an ugly light fixture can make your home look more expensive, more cohesive, and can often times provide more light than the standard fixtures. Lights can greatly vary in price, but the good news is that there’s usually a cheaper option for an expensive fixture that you love. This is an easy fix for renters, as you can just reinstall the original fixture before moving out.

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