TBR TRENDS: Five Ways to Create A Luxurious Space on a Modest Budget

Renovating and building a home is an emotionally and financially demanding process, however it is still possible to create the space of your dreams without breaking the bank.

Team Three Balls Red asked our client, the talented Sarah Davey, Interior Designer for Davey Constructions, for her top five tips to create a polished, designer home on a more modest budget.

Handle it

Whether it is a major renovation or a seasonal refresh, modern hardware certainly makes a big impact. Sarah suggests adding statement or visually interesting handles or knobs - from timber and tumbled brass to marble, travertine and copper - to joinery for elevated, sophisticated appeal.

“You could use coloured laminate board instead of 2pac and add a handle to up level the space,” Sarah tells Three Balls Red. “I love using beautiful handles and door hardware to help elevate a space without having to spend too much money."

Three Balls Red have a custom selection of decorative handles and also range luxury cabinetry brands like Lo & Co to accentuate drawer fronts and cabinet doors.

Quality over quantity

It’s not the amount of space or the size of a budget you have but what you do with what you have and how strategic you are in the process.

“You don’t need a lot of ‘heroes’ to make a space look luxurious,” Sarah tells Three Balls Red.“Pick one non negotiable for your space - whether it is the kitchen, bathroom, master bedroom - and then try and find cheaper alternatives for other finishes to get the desired look.”

When it comes to interior styling, mix high and low pieces to create a luxury look for less.

Wood veneers

It is hard to beat the look and feel of timber for timeless, enduring appeal. However, the good news is, you don’t have to bust the budget on solid hardwood to create the desired effect, with timber veneer options like the Woodmatt laminate range from Polytec and elegant oak chalk from Laminex oozing chic.

“These beautiful timbers come in an array of tones and have the real texture and look of timber,” she says.

“Think Florentine Walnut Woodmatt for that rich, chocolate warmth and textural palette or alternatively Plantation Ash Woodmatt for a lighter coastal look.”

Carpet Cool

With its enduring charm, durability and unmatched aesthetic appeal, it is hard to go past timber flooring.

However, it is worth considering swapping timber floorboards for wool carpet in upstairs or lower traffic areas.

“This is a great cost saver when building a new home,” Sarah tells Three Balls Red. “The warmth of a good wool carpet will still give you a very luxurious look and feels so warm under foot but will certainly save you some dollars.”

Statement Paint 

Humble paint is an effective and affordable way to transform a home. Instead of cladding a feature wall, add an accent wall with a bold-coloured paint to add depth and interest in a room.

“Being brave and using colour in a room certainly helps to set the tone and can make a room more moody, or brighter depending on the brief,” says Sarah.

“Paint is reasonably cheap in comparison to using timber cladding or vertical join boards but can still make a real statement in a room and create a more luxurious feel.”