Four ways to make it look expensive…without breaking the bank!

THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER

The famous designer, Eisen swears by a triptych to instantly up any room’s wow factor. The trio of paneled art, which has been rising in popularity in recent years, can set you back a pretty penny. But you can make your own! Rather than commission a custom piece, Eisen downloaded free art from the web, printed an extra large image at a local printer, and cut the image into three parts to fit into Ikea frames.

CREATE AN ILLUSION

Big rugs create weight and make a room feel larger.  You can even make spaces feel larger by taping together rugs, like these flokatis. The neutral palette, mirrors behind the sofa, and giant rug work together to make the small room appear bigger (and better!).

LESS IS MORE

Rather than jamming shelves full of knickknacks, Eisen opted for a minimalist look: Several books stand upright along with tall vases that fill the space without overcrowding it. She also added objects of various height and color to give the bookcase personality. Her favorite part is, “Turning wasted, unused space into a functional reading nook that can be enjoyed by many by simply adding a chair.” Steal this look with clusters of tall, affordable vases.

GO BOLD OR GO HOME

“Every room needs a focal point,” says Eisen. If you don’t already have one, center the room using eye-catching wall art. To cut costs, Eisen created her own focal point and painted three giant canvases, saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The key is to hang the panels so that they appear as one oversized piece for the greatest effect.

Hit up your local art supply store or DickBlick.com for large blank canvases to make your own creations. Not an artist? Check out nearby art schools to find good talent on a shoestring budget.