Professional Home Stagers Say These Cheap Tricks Make Your Home Seem Way More Expensive

"Professional home stagers have a whole playbook of clever tricks that make any room look more polished, intentional, and luxurious. The best part? Most of these expensive-seeming upgrades cost next to nothing. Pros know how a single light bulb swap can shift the entire mood, or how one well-chosen decorative accent can make a space feel curated. So we've reached out to realtors, interior designers, and creative directors for the cheap-but-brilliant tricks and products they swear by, and this is their best advice."

"Kerrie Kelly, Kerrie Kelly Studio CEO & creative director, says one hack for instant sophistication is to "edit surfaces" while playing with textural elements. This stone tray is an elegant, understated way to play with said textures and materials. Made of Italian travertine, it showcases distinct pores, veins, and natural patterns, making it a truly one-of-a-kind addition to your nightstand, vanity, or coffee table. Use it as a sturdy surface for jewelry, candles, perfumes, or other small essentials."

"Each pillow in this pair of pillow inserts is packed with more than 2.5 pounds of premium feather down, adding a luxurious touch to sofas, beds, and accent chairs. A dual-layer cover prevents feathers from poking through, while cotton construction keeps each insert breathable and durable. You can easily swap out the pillow covers every season for an instant refresh."

Professional home stagers and designers rely on small, inexpensive adjustments to give rooms a polished, intentional, and luxurious appearance. Simple swaps like changing a light bulb or adding a single curated accent can alter mood and make spaces feel curated. Editing surfaces and layering textures creates instant sophistication; a travertine tray adds natural stone character while functioning as a stylish catchall. Plush down pillow inserts with more than 2.5 pounds of feather down boost comfort and visual appeal, while dual-layer covers prevent leakage and cotton shells keep inserts breathable. Pairing down pillows with linen-blend covers achieves a boutique look on a budget.

Read at Inverse