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Big & Small Design Moves That Give Rooms A Luxe Look

By Wendy Jacob On

These tips (some are even budget friendly!) help homeowners who want to give their homes a glamorous, upscale look.

To find out how these designers and homeowners created a posh vibe using big and small moves, scroll down.

Big: Add A Dramatic Overhead Light Fixture

Elevate the room and create a stunning focal point with a sculptural light fixture. Choosing high-quality fixtures in finishes such as brass, gold, or chrome make a statement.

  • Photographer Ryan Fung
  • Designer Architectural design by Marco Santos; design by Josh Greenbaum

Small: Choose Luxe Bathroom Accessories

Using a few smaller accessories in upscale materials is a favorite designer trick to give a room a more glamorous feel. Consider high-end materials such as gold, brass, marble, and mirror. These subtle details make the room read expensive and give it a jewel-box feeling.

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Andi Wheelband (Two Birds Design), Architecture: Perspective Views

Big: Detail Your Staircase

A staircase can be a major focal point: new runners, treads, spindles or handrails can freshen up the look of the staircase and turn it from boring to luxe, as the addition of these marble treads prove.

  • Photographer Ema Peter
  • Designer Gillian Segal and Laura Goldsby

Small: Choose Large Rugs

Rugs add texture and warmth to any room and are one of the easiest ways to boost style, but skip skimpy versions. In the principal bedroom of this Calgary home, a generous nubbly rug anchors the bed.

  • Photographer Michelle Johnson
  • Designer Alykhan Velji Designs

Big: Add Built-Ins Or A Wall Unit 

This beautiful Paul McCobb wall unit adds an extra layer of luxury to this Toronto condo.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Neil Jonsohn

Small: Add Pattern With Graphic Wallpaper & Textiles

Graphic wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler elevates this principal bedroom in Saskatchewan, while a matching pillow in the same pattern completes the look.

  • Photographer Eymeric Widling
  • Designer Curtis Elmy and Trevor Ciona

Big: Add Custom Doors 

A walnut door in the main entry of a lakeside condo makes a ho-hum closet look like a work of art. Add a touch of drama and personality by choosing a custom door, adding applied molding or swapping out hardware.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Karen Sheari, Ashley Sleiman and Shannon Thompson 

Small: Use One Large Piece Of Art 

A big artwork creates an expensive, gallery-like vibe in a space. A bold backdrop like this ebony-hued painted panelling makes it pop even more.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Gillian Segal and Laura Goldsby

Big: Panel One Wall 

Think of wood panelling as an elevated feature wall (it looks much richer than paint). In this condo, the warmth of the wood grain panels break up the white walls.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Neil Jonsohn