Hunt for real stone

Hunt for real stone
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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.

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Focus on taps

Focus on taps
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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

Look entertaining-ready
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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.

Don’t put form above function

Don’t put form above function
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A gorgeous new couch won’t look chic when kids and pets ruin it. That said, durable doesn’t have to be drab. Designer Kelly Barnett, recommends indoor/outdoor fabrics for attractive pieces that can withstand some wear and tear. “I’ve cleaned red wine off my performance velvet swivel chairs with a wet cloth,” she says. “These fabrics are extremely durable and give upholstered pieces a much higher-end look than microfibres.”

Don’t have a pet yet but are setting your home up to include one? Find out how to pick the best pet for your family.

Pick basic bedding

Pick basic bedding
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You might think deep-hued satins would be key to an expensive-looking bedding set, but keeping it simple will make the room seem bigger since the bed takes up so much space. “Keep the doona covers white and you’ll instantly feel the lightness of the room,” says Isobel McKenzie, editor of interior design site NONAGON.style.

Give boring products a worthy home

Give boring products a worthy home
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Even cleaning products deserve luxury treatment. “Decant your favourite handwash into a hand soap dispenser,” says Wynter. “Voila! Instant luxe.”

Up the fluff factor

Up the fluff factor
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An inexpensive throw pillow will seem so much more luxurious when you replace the original insides with a feather insert. “They just look and feel so much better than foam,” says Cummings.

Ditch the old toothbrush holder

Ditch the old toothbrush holder
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Upgrading your toothbrush holder and soap dish is a low-cost way to add flair to your bathroom. Pick a sleek, modern set that matches the rest of your décor, suggests interior designer Dayna Hairston.

Pick basic dishes

Pick basic dishes
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Shelling out on fine china isn’t the only way to create a stunning table setting. “White dishes have a low-price tag with a high impact,” says Henry. Pair them with gold cutlery for a trendy, high-brow look.

Keep toys to a minimum

Keep toys to a minimum
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It’s easy to let toys take over the whole house, so Barnett has a rule that big toys need to stay in bedrooms. Once those are out of sight, board games and crayons won’t seem so obtrusive – especially if they stay in their rightful places.

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