Designing a luxury master suite on a budget takes a little creativity and a delicate balance of opulence and cost-conscious choices. Focusing on key elements, repurposing existing items, and incorporating DIY projects, you can achieve a lavish and inviting master suite without breaking the bank. Here’s how to deliver a lavish master suite without breaking the bank.
Spaciousness is part of creating a luxe feel, and regardless of the size of your room, this can be maximised by efficient space planning. Consider the room layout and identify areas where you can rearrange furniture, reposition the bed, or create designated zones for sleeping, lounging, and dressing.
Built in storage or a walk in robe can also help achieve a less cluttered look where bulky storage furniture can dominate a small room.
Elevate the comfort and aesthetics of your master suite with high-quality bedding. Invest in plush pillows, soft sheets, and a stylish duvet cover. Look for budget-friendly options that offer a luxurious feel without the hefty price tag. Layering pillows and throws in coordinating colours and textures can add a touch of sophistication to the bed.
A luxurious focal point for your master suite can be achieved with a DIY headboard project. Create a custom headboard using affordable materials like plywood, foam padding, and fabric. Upholster the plywood with the chosen fabric and secure it to the wall behind the bed for an elegant and budget-friendly headboard. Stuck for ideas? Check out our gallery.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in setting the mood of a master suite. A statement chandelier or pendant light can add a touch of luxury to the room and doesn’t have to be expensive if you shop around for deals on lighting fixtures or upcycle an existing light fitting.
Alternatively, LED and smart lighting now offer an endless array of options, including mood lighting that can be automated to dim over the evening and aid sleep, or strip lighting that can highlight features in your room like artwork or shelving.
Mirrors can create an illusion of spaciousness and enhance the overall aesthetics of a room. Incorporate a large mirror above the dresser or as part of a gallery wall. Chain stores like IKEA and Kmart offer affordable and unique mirror options that can be refurbished to fit your desired style and are often a great way to add contemporary style trends to your space.
Choose a soothing and sophisticated colour palette for your master suite – neutral tones or soft pastels can create an inviting and serene ambiance. You can also use paint to highlight architectural details or create an accent wall behind the bed. If it has been a while since you last painted, consider giving the ceiling and skirting boards a refresh.
An opulent accent wall can also be created using cost-effective materials, for example peel-and-stick wallpaper, stencils, or even reclaimed wood panels to add texture and depth to the room.
Whether you need advice on installing smart lights, how to pick the best paint for your master bedroom or the latest trends in styling, you can Ask Sarah, your AI home improvement advisor for help.
Luxury doesn’t always mean brand-new furniture. Browse op shops, online marketplaces, auction houses or your local Buy Nothing group for high-quality, second-hand pieces that can be repurposed or refurbished. With a fresh coat of paint, some new upholstery or updated hardware, old furniture can be transformed into fresh, luxurious looking pieces minus the expense of buying new furniture.
Personalised artwork can add a touch of luxury to your master suite. Create your own abstract paintings or wall art using inexpensive canvases and acrylic paints. Alternatively, frame fabric remnants, pages from favourite children’s or art books or decorative paper to create unique and budget-friendly art pieces.
A well-chosen area rug can tie the entire master suite together and provide a sense of luxury underfoot. Look for budget-friendly options in various sizes, patterns, and textures to complement your room’s décor – if you do source one second hand, be sure to factor in the cost of a professional clean.
Luxury is often in the details. Enhance the ambiance of your master suite with carefully selected accessories and accents. Consider placing scented candles, decorative trays, and fresh flowers on surfaces like nightstands and dressers for a touch of elegance.
Likewise, you can infuse your personality into the master suite through personalised touches – think cherished family photos, travel souvenirs, or heirlooms that add sentimental value.
Elevate your master suite’s window treatments by opting for affordable yet luxurious-looking curtains or drapes. Choose fabrics that compliment the colour scheme and add an air of sophistication to the room. Bear in mind window treatments also impact the temperature, light and sound that gets into your room, so if you’re unsure of the optimal choice, chat to a curtain and blind specialist (they can also ensure they are properly and safely installed.)
Changing a lightbulb is one of the few electrical jobs that you, as a homeowner, can do yourself. For everything else, including retrofitting LED light fittings, installing new LED light fittings, or working on any element of your electrical system you need to use a licensed electrician, who will need to be licensed in the state they are working in.
Standard LEDs cost between $5 and $20 per bulb. This is more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they use far less electricity so cost a lot less to run and need to be replaced less frequently.
Replacing old style downlights with LED counterparts costs around $50 to $75 per light — this includes the cost of the new fittings, but not the electrician’s fees. These downlights las a lot longer than other types, meaning you have to replace them less often.
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