5 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Cheap (And How to Fix Them)
You know when you walk into a home, and everything just feels right? It’s not about having the most expensive furniture or a giant renovation budget—it’s about the details. The way a space is styled, the balance of materials, and those small finishing touches that make a home feel polished and intentional.
And then… there are the things that subtly work against you. The little design choices that might be making your home feel a little less refined and more like a “work in progress” than the inviting, effortless space you’re going for.
Here are five common culprits—and how to fix them.
1. Flat, Lifeless Pillows
Throw pillows aren’t just for comfort—they’re one of the easiest ways to add softness and warmth to a space. But if yours look like deflated pancakes, they’re bringing the whole room down.
✅ The Fix: Upgrade to down or down-alternative inserts that are one size larger than your pillow cover. (For example, use a 22” insert for a 20” cover.) This gives them that full, plush look that feels more inviting. Bonus points for mixing textures—combining linen, velvet, or boucle keeps your pillows from looking one-dimensional. You can shop our favorite pillow inserts here.
5 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Less Cheap (And How to Fix Them)
2. Drapes That Are Hung Too Low or Too Short
One of the biggest mistakes I see? Curtains that are hung right at the top of the window or worse—don’t reach the floor. This instantly makes the ceilings feel lower, and the whole room looks off.
✅ The Fix: Hang your curtain rod as high as possible (at least 8-12 inches above the window or closer to the ceiling). And make sure your drapes just barely kiss the floor—not floating awkwardly above it. This one change alone can make your space feel more elevated and intentionally designed.
5 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Less Cheap (And How to Fix Them)
3. Harsh or Unflattering Lighting
Lighting is one of the most overlooked details in a home, but it has a huge impact on how a space feels. If your rooms feel cold, stark, or shadowy, it’s likely due to the wrong type of light bulbs or poorly placed fixtures.
✅ The Fix: Use warm, soft-white LED bulbs (2700K-3000K) for a welcoming glow. If possible, install dimmers—they instantly make a space feel more inviting by allowing you to adjust the mood throughout the day. Layering different light sources (overhead, table lamps, sconces) also makes a room feel more thoughtfully designed.
4. Furniture That’s Not the Right Scale
A beautifully designed room is all about balance. If your furniture is too small, the space feels empty and unfinished. If it’s too big, the room feels cramped. Either way, it throws everything off.
✅ The Fix: Pay attention to scale when selecting pieces.
Rugs: Should be large enough for at least the front legs of your furniture to sit on them.
Art: Hang at eye level (57-60 inches from the floor) so it doesn’t feel disconnected from the room.
Seating: Should fit the space proportionally—no oversized sectionals crammed into small rooms or tiny loveseats floating in a large open space.
5 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Less Cheap (And How to Fix Them)
5. The “Matching Set” Look
If everything in your room looks like it was bought as a matching set, it can feel a little predictable. While it might seem like an easy way to furnish a space, it often lacks personality and depth.
✅ The Fix: Instead of matching everything, mix complementary pieces for a more curated, lived-in look. If you have a wood dining table, try upholstered or metal chairs instead of the matching wood ones. When selecting furniture, consider a mix of materials—wood, metal, stone, fabric—to create contrast and visual interest.
5 Things That Are Making Your Home Look Less Cheap (And How to Fix Them)
The Bottom Line
A home that feels polished and well-designed isn’t about perfection—it’s about intentional choices. Small tweaks can completely change how a space feels, making it more inviting, more put-together, and more reflective of your style.
If you’re ready to take your home to the next level but don’t know where to start, let’s chat! Whether it’s a full-service design project or a virtual consultation, I’d love to help create a space that feels effortlessly beautiful and works for your lifestyle.