Hunt for real stone
Real granite and limestone benches look more luxe than your typical acrylic, but unfortunately, their prices usually reflect that. If you’re willing to do a bit of hunting, though, you might be able to slash the price tag, says Bowry. “You can sometimes find a great deal on a real stone top at your local stone yard, in the remnant section,” she says.
Focus on taps
If you only have room in the budget for one high-end bathroom feature, make it a quality tap. Pairing it with plain, wallet-friendly tiles will actually highlight the money spent, says interior designer René Dekker. “If you look in the window of any high-end jewellery store, you will see that the finely crafted items, the gold and diamonds, are always displayed against plain neutral backgrounds which show them off much better … the same concept will work in your bathroom,” he says.
Look entertaining-ready
If you have a dining room table you don’t use unless company is visiting, keep the settings there to fake your way to looking like a master host. “A staged tablescape will make the space feel more elegant,” says Henry.