Reckon a bougee abode needs to be done on a bougee budget? Think again.
If you’re moving into a new home and keen to deck it out with fancy furnishings, but your budget is on the more meagre side, it’s absolutely possible to make it feel utterly chic without splashing too much cash.
Here are seven style hacks to make your new pad feel slick, stylish and seriously bougee – affordably.
When you first move in, your home is likely to be in its cleanest-ever state. Everything’s been neatly packed away, the cushions are nicely plumped and you haven’t quite been there long enough for odds, ends, knick-knacks and mess to start piling up.
f you can, try and keep it that way. A truly chic abode is one that’s free of clutter and unnecessary items, and everything in the home is in its right place.
And yes, that means putting your clothes in the laundry hamper, not in a heap on the dining table.
While we’re on the topic of keeping things tidy, adopt that same ethos when it comes to kitting out your new pad.
A room with only a few considered items is going to look more snazzy than one with countless furnishings and decorative items.
After all, the old adage ‘less is more’ certainly didn’t come about for nothing. Bonus: the fewer items you add, the fewer dollars you’ll be forking out.
That being said, you don’t want the space to look spartan. The key is to make it elegant and inviting, not as if you’ve completely forgotten to furnish the place.
Far from simply being a place to sleep every night, you should treat your bedroom as a sanctuary.
That means decking it out with a few bougee extras, like throw cushions, blankets, soft lighting and those chichi candles we mentioned earlier.
A bougee boudoir doesn’t stop at the aesthetic. To feel like a real boss, treat yourself to a brand-new mattress that offers a luxurious sleep on a modest budget.
Affordability doesn’t necessarily equal atrocity. There are plenty of reasonably priced household goods that are high impact and low cost.
Think house plants, soft furnishings including cushions and throws, and inexpensive decor such as wall hangings, mirrors, vases and candleholders.
As far as furniture goes, don’t be fooled into thinking you need to cough up thousands for decent stuff.
A bougee home is one that feels swanky and indulgent and oozes ambience. Luckily, you can amp up the atmosphere for not much money at all.
Layer your rooms with different types of lighting – think floor lamps, table lamps, sconces and even an inexpensive chandelier if you really want to raise the bougee levels – rather than always using the overheads. Because a harsh ceiling light doesn’t exactly scream luxury.
Add candles and diffusers in luxe scents, and have some cool jazz playing whenever guests rock up.
If you’re updating parts of your new home or decorating it with fresh furnishings, go into the process with a bougee mindset.
Certain materials and textures feel a heck of a lot more luxe than others and can make a huge difference to the overall feel of your new pad.
Opt for velvet, wood, marble and warm-toned metals like copper and rose gold to really up the style factor.
You can usually find items like serving boards, vases, cushions and other decor bits and bobs made from these materials for relatively cheap.
Nothing feels less high-end than a space filled with gaudy colours.
Instead, try to stick to a neutral palette filled with off-white, cream, tan, chocolate, navy, charcoal, khaki and, dare we say it, beige. This helps make every room feel considered and elevated.
It also doesn’t cost a whole lot to implement – neutrals are inherently luxe-looking, even if they’re inexpensive.
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