Designer-Approved Amazon Home Decor Hacks Under $50

I’m an interior designer, and if you’re looking to refresh your home, I come bearing great news: You do not have to have a huge budget to level up your space and create the dreamy, luxe sanctuary you’ve always wanted. In fact, you can do it all with affordable Amazon products if you find the right pieces, and you know how to use and install them. To achieve three of my best hacks for an expensive-looking home—whether you’re a renter or a homeowner—here’s everything you need to know, along with the eight Amazon products (all $50 and under each!) that will help you bring these visions to life.  

Designer-Approved Luxe Amazon Home Decor Hacks

Hack 1: Swap the Small Things

Often, we think we have to make big, bold changes, like painting and wallpapering, to give our spaces an upgrade, but honestly, it’s the little details that make your home look expensive even on a tight budget. I’m talking about things like hardware and fixtures, which you can even swap out temporarily in a rental to personalize it or change up the style. If your kitchen has no personality, or you want to take the look beyond builder grade, some pretty cabinet pulls and knobs can make all of the difference. 

All you have to do is unscrew the old knobs—and if you’re renting, you’ll want to put them in a bag and stow them away somewhere safe, so you can put them back on before you move—and screw in the new ones for a big impact change in look and vibe. This gorgeous pack of ten antique-inspired sunburst knobs will definitely do the trick, and they’re under $30 for the set. The same goes for things like outlet and light switch covers, too. They’re just as easy to change out with the help of a screwdriver, and a more decorative option like these sunken pearl switch plate covers can certainly up that luxe factor without breaking the bank. 

Jiasenbao Pack of 10 Antique Brass Sunburst Cabinet Knobs

Henne Bery Pack of 2 Sunken Pearls Switch Plate Covers

Hack 2: Double Up Your Drapery

Layering your window treatments can make a huge difference in how luxe your space looks, but window treatments, especially when you go custom, can cost a pretty penny. Luckily, Amazon has plenty of affordable options that you can pair together to get the look for less. First thing’s first: You’re going to need a double curtain rod set, so you can seamlessly hang an inner layer of curtains and an outer layer all in one go. This modern rod set comes in three sizes to cover windows anywhere from 36 inches to 164 inches wide, and it comes in seven colors, so if the warm gold seen here isn’t your thing, you have options. 

On the smaller, inner rod, hang a set (or a few sets, depending on how wide your window is!) of sheer ivory curtains for a nice crisp, neutral look but with more warmth than a stark white. Then, on the outer rod, hang blackout curtains in a rich fabric, like velvet, in a color that fits in with your decor scheme. I personally have these velvet curtains from Topfinel in my own home, and they’re such great quality for the price. Oh, and the other key thing to remember: You’ll want to hang your drapery as high as you can (the closer to the ceiling, the better!) to create the illusion of bigger windows and taller ceilings, and get curtains long enough that they kiss the floor, puddling ever-so-slightly—no hovering above the ground if you want that custom, high-end feel.

Gold Double Blackout Curtain Rod Set

Topfinel Olive Green Velvet Blackout Curtains

Miulee 2-Panels Ivory Sheer Window Curtains

Hack 3: Up Your (Faux) Plant Game

Not everyone has a green thumb, and that’s okay! But plants—or even just the illusion of real plants—can add so much life, color, texture, and richness to your space. If you’re skeptical that fake plants can look just as beautiful as the real deal, rest assured, faux plants have come a long way. Look for options that have a “real touch” feel. This means the leaves and stems are crafted to look and feel a lot more like a live plant. Sometimes you’ll even find plants that have leaves with brown, dry tinges (because a lot of healthy, happy live plants still have some dead bits!) for extra realism. Once you’ve found a good faux pick, like this 4-foot dracaena plant from Nearly Natural, it’s all about how you style it. 

Often, especially with tall tree-type faux plants, your plant will come in a way-too-small grower pot (think a 6-inch plastic pot for a 6-foot tall tree) that would never be able to keep a real plant that size alive, which is a dead giveaway that it’s not real, and the hard plastic “soil” on top doesn’t exactly help. Amazon has tons of beautiful ceramic pots in so many different decor styles, so upgrade to one that’s several sizes bigger than the grower pot. In the case of the draecana seen here, I’d recommend a 10-inch pot like this one from Eightpot, for instance. Use some rocks (or even spare cardboard) to prop up the plant inside the bigger pot, then grab a $5 bag of dried Spanish moss from Amazon, and form a good, solid layer of it over the top of the grower pot to cover it all. Et voila, a faux plant that’ll trick most house guests. 

Nearly Natural 48-Inch Real Touch Silk Dracaena Plant

Eightpot Decorative 10-Inch Ceramic Planter

Mosser Lee Dried Spanish Moss