Paint is the cheapest way to make your home look luxe.
Paint is truly the unsung hero of interior design. Color has the power to transform a room completely, turning it from boring to bold or simple to rich. Better yet, it’s also a relatively inexpensive task compared to other home upgrades, and something many people can tackle themselves as a weekend project. But making a home look more expensive with paint isn’t as easy as throwing a coat of plain white or beige on every wall—it’s about choosing the right colors, combinations, and locations. Here are seven painting tricks that will instantly make your home look more expensive.
1. Skip the Starks and Choose Creamy Whites
Yes, a fresh coat of white paint in any space is an instant upgrade—but not just any shade of white will do, explains interior designer Jessica Nicastro. “A creamy white paint is my favorite way to add an expensive look to your home,” she says. “I always recommend staying away from stark white paints, as ones with a creamy hint help give the home a luxurious, heritage feel.”
2. Go With Neutral Shades for High-Traffic Areas
According to interior designer Kathryn Hufton, it’s best to stick to soft, neutral palettes that stand the test of time in more high-traffic areas in your home. So, if you’re in love with a bright yellow or a deep burgundy, skip those shades in the living room and use them in low-traffic areas like the guest room or home office instead.
3. Get Punchy in Smaller Spaces
Do you dream of lavender walls? Wild hues pack the best punch in smaller spaces like powder rooms, making them look more expensive, Hufton notes. “Powder rooms are the perfect place for a jewel-box moment,” she says. “Go bold with color or contrast trim for a little ‘wow’ moment guests won’t forget.”
Another spot that can benefit from bold paint? Your entryway. “A bold paint color in your entryway helps this zone function as a separate space, and a paint upgrade in your powder room can create a luxurious jewel box you want to show off,” says interior designer Andrea Goldman.
4. Curate Your Colors Carefully
That white builder-grade paint might look cohesive, but it won’t feel curated or make a room look elevated, says interior designer Lauren Saab. Instead, a more intentional approach can make a room feel expensive: “Color should feel curated, not cautious,” she says. “Deep, moody tones and earthy neutrals feel more bespoke than bright whites or standard grays. Shades like olive or rust draw you in. They show conviction, and that sense of confidence elevates a space.”
5. Paint the Trim to Match the Doors
Interior designer Kim Dee reveals that strategically painting architectural elements like trim and doors is a simple way to add a custom, designer touch. “I often recommend using a slightly deeper or contrasting color than the walls to make those features subtly stand out,” she says. “It’s a detail that signals thoughtful design and helps highlight the home’s architecture in a really elevated way.”
6. Try Color Drenching
Color drenching—or painting the walls, moldings, and ceiling all the same color—is one of the biggest paint trends in recent years, and for good reason. It’s one of the least expensive ways to make a home look ultra expensive. Nicastro is a big fan of this look: “Color drenching is my favorite paint upgrade to elevate any space,” she says. “When a room (especially a living room or bedroom) is painted all one color, it instantly adds an element of sophistication and helps elevate the space.”
7. Go Bold With Cabinets and Built-Ins
Don’t want to paint an entire room? Goldman shares that a deep, saturated hue of paint on your kitchen cabinets or built-ins looks extra chic. For example, a deep hue like navy can add a pop of color while still looking refined and sophisticated—all the while making your home look like a million bucks.
