Make your home look luxurious on a budget  

“Simple, strategic upgrades can make a tremendous difference in how homeowners and potential buyers perceive a home,” says Adrian Goslett, the regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
He explains that high-end homes pay careful consideration and attention to detail on every square inch.
“Homeowners can achieve the same effect by making a few simple upgrades to their homes,” he suggests.
While a full-scale renovation can be costly and time-consuming, many simple DIY tricks can make your space feel high-end without breaking the bank. RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few ideas on how to make a home feel more high-end and expensive.
• Upgrade your interior doors
Owners often overlook interior doors, but a few simple upgrades can transform the look of the entire space. There are several ways to upgrade doors. You could replace dated door handles with something more high-end or paint the doors in a neutral shade, like black or dark beige. You could also add more detailing to the door by buying timber and cutting it to frame the panels on the door.
• Paint the ceilings to match the walls
Painting the ceiling the same colour as the walls is a designer-approved trick that gives rooms a cosy, luxurious feel. This technique works particularly well in smaller spaces or rooms with lower ceilings, creating a unified and intentional look. Matching walls and ceilings also reduce visual “breaks,” which can help make smaller rooms feel more expansive.
• Install a full-height kitchen backsplash
Instead of a traditional backsplash that only covers part of the wall, try taking it up to the ceiling on a feature wall in your kitchen. This tweak adds a sense of height and openness, giving the room a designer feel more often seen in high-end kitchens.
A full-height backsplash works especially well with marble, quartz or tiles with a polished finish, creating an eye-catching focal point.
• Add moulding and trim
Installing decorative moulding and trim could transform any space, giving it an elegant, customised feel. Moulding works well around ceilings, doors and windows and is a relatively easy DIY project that can dramatically enhance a room’s character.
Look for peel-and-stick options or lightweight foam moulding if you’re a beginner.
By focusing on these small yet effective DIY hacks, you can give your home a polished, high-end look without a huge investment.
From painting doors and ceilings to installing a full-height backsplash, these tips can help you create a sophisticated, expensive feel you and potential future buyers will love.