FEATURES THAT MAKE YOUR HOUSE LOOK CHEAP
We all want our precious homes to look their best. From the moment we step inside, we hope to feel a sense of pride in our space. But what if some of our design choices are unintentionally making our homes look cheap or tacky?
Sometimes, a few small details can make a big difference in how our homes are perceived. From outdated trends to worn-out features, these elements can distract from our home’s overall value and aesthetic.
In this guide by property expert Natalie Mitchell at HomeHow.co.uk, you will find out some of the most common design mistakes and external features that can cheapen the look of your house, so you can make some informed decisions and create a space that feels curated, intentional, and high-quality.
Rattan Décor
Rattan furniture has been a popular trend in interior design for the past few years. However, the trend seems to be waning in popularity. Some people find that too much rattan can be tacky and overwhelming. Rattan is now being used more as an accent piece rather than a focal point. If you are considering buying rattan furniture, it’s important to think about how it will fit into your overall décor. If you have a lot of other natural materials in your home, such as wood or stone, rattan can be a great way to add a touch of warmth and texture. However, if your home is already quite busy, rattan furniture may be too much of a good thing. If you are using rattan furniture in your home, it is important to ensure the rest of your décor is nice and simple. Too much clutter can make your space feel uninviting and overwhelming.
Hanging Unlined Curtains
Curtains and blinds are the finishing touches that frame a room, helping to add colour, style, and privacy to the space. But did you know there is a way to elevate your window treatments from good to great? Lining your curtains is a game-changer, offering a range of benefits that go beyond aesthetics. Lining adds an extra layer of fabric to the back, making them all the more private. This lining creates a barrier that keeps unwanted eyes out, ensuring a sense of security and tranquillity, which is especially useful in bedrooms. Lined curtains are also great insulators, helping you regulate your home’s temperature. During chilly winters, the lining traps in precious heat, keeping your space cosy and comfortable. In scorching summers, the reverse happens. The lining acts as a barrier, reflecting heat away and keeping your home cool. Lining also protects the delicate outer fabric from fading caused by sunlight exposure. This not only extends the lifespan of your curtains but also protects them from stains and everyday wear and tear.
Chevron Patterns
A few years ago, chevron patterns were a trendy choice, adding a playful energy to home decor. However, this has now changed. A touch of chevron can still be charming, but extensive use has fallen out of fashion. The strong, repeated pattern can be visually heavy, too overwhelming and can create a sense of clutter. In smaller spaces, the zig-zags can visually shrink the room, making it feel closed-in and chaotic. For these reasons, many homeowners are opting for calmer design elements that create a more serene and spacious atmosphere.
Using Matching Flatpack Furniture
While flatpack furniture offers a lot of convenience, if you have a room that is overflowing with matchy-matchy sets, this can look unappealing. The mass-produced nature of these furniture pieces often makes them look too generic and lacking any real character. Imagine a living room where every surface boasts the same flat sheen and predictable lines. It can feel very impersonal and sterile, and can resemble a showroom display rather than a lived-in space. The uniformity doesn’t really spark any visual interest or reflect the homeowner’s personality. The overall effect can be cheap and tacky, lacking the warmth and charm that comes with a curated mix of furniture.
Old Windows
If your windows are old, damaged, or simply outdated, they might be dragging down the overall look of your house. Worn-out windows can give off the impression of a neglected house and can distract from your home’s charm. So, if your windows are looking a little bit worse for wear, consider upgrading them. New windows can not only enhance your home’s appearance, but they can also add comfort and energy efficiency. The key to window replacement lies in choosing a style that complements your existing architecture. For a traditional home, classic sash windows or casements might be an ideal choice. Modern homes may benefit more with sleek picture windows or expansive sliding glass doors. When your windows echo the architectural style of your home, they create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing look.
A Generic Gallery Wall
A gallery wall is a great way to add personality and interest to a blank wall. However, it’s important to choose artwork that is meaningful to you and that reflects your personal style. Don’t just fill the wall with generic, mass-produced pieces. It’s better to have a blank wall than to have a wall filled with art that you don’t love. Before you start buying artwork, take some time to think about what you want to achieve with your gallery wall. What kind of mood do you want to create? What colours and styles do you like? Once you have a general idea, you can start collecting pieces.
Too Much DIY Furniture
DIY furniture can be a great way to add some personality and style to your home. However, it is important to use it in moderation. Too much DIY furniture can make a room look cluttered and messy. A single piece of DIY furniture, such as a handmade coffee table, can be a great conversation starter and can often complement other furniture pieces in a room. However, it’s important to balance DIY furniture with shop-bought furniture. If you fill a room with too many DIY pieces, it can start to look like a mess of mismatched furniture.
An Old Shabby Roof
When you come to your home every day, you may not even take any notice of the roof. It’s something that many homeowners overlook. However, when other people are looking at your property, an old or shabby-looking roof could be a big turn-off. The roof covers the full upper area of the house, so it’s a very dominant feature on a property. You can improve the appearance of your roof by having it cleaned, replacing broken roof tiles, or getting a brand new roof. A brand new roof will have the biggest impact. However, simply improving the appearance of the existing tiles can make a huge difference in the way your house looks overall.
Old Windows
The windows are the eyes of the house. By updating your windows, you can completely change the entire personality of your property. You can fit new windows of the same size, or you can choose to alter the size and shape of the windows to give your house a completely new appearance. New windows always look great on a house. So if you’re looking to prevent your house from looking cheap, consider installing some new windows. One important thing to keep in mind when fitting new windows is that they should fit in with the overall design of your home; otherwise, you could risk making your home look even cheaper. For example, if you have a traditional style of home, choose traditional windows that will fit in well with the styling of the rest of your home.
An Old Or Worn-Out Front Door
Your front door is the first thing people will see when they walk up to your home. This feature can make all the difference in making your home look more expensive. Whether you fit a completely new front door or you choose to paint your old front door, updating the front door is a sure-fire way to ensure your home doesn’t look cheap. Updating the front door is a very quick and easy way for you to improve the appearance of your home, and most of the time, this can be done as a DIY project. With many different types and styles of front doors to choose from, you should easily be able to find a door that suits the theme of your home and suits your personal taste.
Certain Colours For The Front Door
Although designers like to encourage homeowners to be creative and show off their personalities in their home décor, there are certain circumstances where this can result in your home looking cheap. Bright colours for the front door can often be a big turn-off to people coming to view your home. Some examples of colours that you should steer clear of are bright pink, bright yellow, and orange. Certain colours could even have some damaging effects on the value of your home. Instead, we would advise you to choose more common, neutral colours for the front door. Be sure to choose a door colour that fits in well with the overall style of your property.
An Old Or Broken Driveway
If your driveway is broken, old, or quite dirty, this could make your home look cheap. If you want to improve the appearance of your home’s driveway, you could begin by cleaning it and filling in any visible cracks. Pressure washing the driveway is one of the most effective ways to clean it. If your driveway is old or ugly, it may be time for you to think about getting a whole new driveway. A new driveway can completely change the appearance and aesthetics of your property. Make sure to choose a driveway that ties in well with the overall design of your home.
A Tired or Messy Front Garden
If your front garden has become overgrown or if parts of the garden are dead, this can very quickly make your home look cheap. Regardless of how beautiful your property is, if the garden isn’t up to scratch, it’s going to have an effect on people’s overall opinion of your home. It’s important to ensure that your home’s garden fits in well with the style of our property if you want it to look expensive. For example, if your home’s exterior is fairly traditional, you’ll be better off choosing classic plants and opting for formal pruning if you can. This will provide your home with a lot of character from the outside. If your home is of a more contemporary style, opt for a more minimalistic approach to create an inviting exterior to your property. If you have a front lawn, make sure to keep it looking nice and neat and tidy. Outdoor lights can help improve the appearance of your front lawn at night.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, creating a home that looks and feels high-quality is less about spending a fortune and more about making thoughtful and intentional choices. By paying close attention to the little details like the quality of your curtains, the coherence of your furniture, and the upkeep of your home’s exterior, you can avoid the common pitfalls that cheapen its appearance.
A curated space that reflects your personal style, a clean and well-maintained exterior, and a focus on timeless, quality pieces will always make your home look much more valuable and welcoming. Remember, the goal is not to have the most expensive house on the street, but to have a space that looks cared for and reflects a sense of purpose and good taste.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR… NATALIE MITCHELL: “Natalie Mitchell has worked as a property and construction expert for HomeHow for five years and has worked in the construction industry for over twenty years. Natalie continues to work on building projects while also providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.”
