5 Colours That Will Make Your Home Look Expensive – And How to Style Them

 

When it comes to creating an upscale look in your home, the right colour palette can make all the difference. While expensive furniture and decor certainly help, the colors you choose for your walls, furniture, and accessories are the foundation of a luxe, sophisticated interior. From bold jewel tones to timeless neutrals, some shades are naturally associated with opulence and elegance. The key is knowing which colours to use, and how to style them to make your space feel sumptuously rich without the hefty price tag.

Here are five colours that will instantly elevate your home and make it look more expensive, along with tips on how to style each one for maximum effect.

1. Deep Emerald Green

Emerald green is a rich, luxurious colour that exudes opulence. It has a regal and timeless quality, often seen in high-end interiors, jewellery, and fashion. The beauty of emerald green lies in its ability to be both bold and serene, adding a touch of drama without overwhelming a room.

How to Style It:

• Walls: A deep emerald feature wall in a living room or bedroom can anchor the space and add a sense of grandeur. To avoid the room feeling too dark, balance it with lighter furniture or metallic accents.
• Accent Pieces: Incorporate emerald green through velvet cushions, curtains, or a statement armchair. The texture of velvet combined with this rich colour adds instant luxury.
• Pairing: Emerald green works beautifully with gold or brass accents. Think gold-framed mirrors, brass lamps, and rich wooden furniture to create an elegant contrast.

Pro Tip: Pair emerald with other jewel tones like sapphire blue or ruby red for a truly decadent look, or balance it with softer neutrals like taupe or soft beige to keep things sophisticated.

2. Charcoal Grey

A deep, cool grey can instantly elevate any room, giving it a modern, sleek vibe that feels refined and expensive. Charcoal grey is less harsh than black, but still makes a bold statement. It’s the colour of choice for high-end hotels, designer homes, and sophisticated office spaces.

How to Style It:

• Walls: Charcoal grey on walls adds depth and creates a backdrop for more vibrant accents. Use it in living rooms, dining areas, or even bathrooms for a chic, understated look.
• Furniture: A charcoal grey sofa or armchair made of luxurious fabrics like leather or high-end linen can become the centrepiece of a room. Pair it with polished marble tables or a statement chandelier to elevate the space.
• Accents: Add texture and warmth with plush rugs in light hues, chrome or metallic furniture, and simple artwork with gold or silver frames.

Pro Tip: Charcoal pairs effortlessly with white, silver, or light wood tones to create a striking contrast. A hint of bold red or mustard yellow will also add a pop of colour without taking away from the sophisticated ambiance.

3. Rich Navy Blue

Navy blue is a classic colour that instantly brings to mind elegance and formality. It’s the colour of luxury yachts, royal uniforms, and timeless fashion. This deep, dark blue is perfect for creating a calm, refined atmosphere that still feels bold and stylish.

How to Style It:

• Walls: Navy blue walls make a room feel cozy yet lavish. It works especially well in bedrooms, living rooms, or libraries. Just be sure to balance it with lighter furniture and textiles to prevent the room from feeling too enclosed.
• Accent Pieces: Navy blue accents such as throw pillows, table lamps, or vases add sophistication to a neutral room. A navy velvet sofa or a set of navy curtains can turn a space from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Pairing: Navy blue pairs beautifully with metallics like gold, silver, or copper. If you want a softer touch, pair it with whites, soft greys, or blush pinks for a chic, understated vibe.

Pro Tip: Add marble accents or wooden details to complement the depth of navy and create a balance between softness and richness in your space.

4. Soft Taupe

If you love understated elegance, taupe is your go-to colour. It’s warm, neutral, and incredibly versatile, but it can look incredibly expensive when styled properly. Taupe evokes sophistication and simplicity, making it perfect for creating a calm, serene environment.

How to Style It:

• Walls: Taupe walls work in almost any room, providing a soft, neutral base that allows other design elements to shine. Pair taupe walls with warm, natural textures like wood, leather, or linen to add depth.
• Furniture: Choose taupe or beige upholstered furniture, such as sofas, armchairs, or ottomans, in luxurious fabrics like linen, cotton velvet, or wool. Adding a high-end leather accent chair or brass legs will elevate the look.
• Accents: Introduce taupe through rugs, throws, and cushions. Combining taupe with shades of ivory, cream, or soft gold creates an atmosphere that’s both cozy and sophisticated.

Pro Tip: Taupe looks even more expensive when paired with deep green or rich burgundy. These colours create a sense of warmth and invite a touch of opulence to an otherwise neutral palette.

5. Jewel Tones (Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire)

Jewel tones like amethyst purple, ruby red, and sapphire blue are synonymous with luxury and richness. These colours bring a sense of drama and sophistication to any room, and they immediately elevate a space by adding depth and richness.

How to Style It:

• Accents: Use jewel tones in accessories like throw pillows, vases, artwork, and candles. These rich colours work wonders when paired with neutrals like charcoal grey, taupe, or white.
• Furniture: A velvet amethyst sofa or a ruby red ottoman instantly adds a sense of luxury and sophistication to a living room. Jewel tones on drapes or upholstered chairs can also transform the look of a room.
• Pairing: Jewel tones are best paired with metals—especially gold, silver, or brass—to reflect light and enhance their richness. Wood accents in dark stains also help balance out the vibrancy of these colours.

Pro Tip: When using jewel tones, opt for high-quality fabrics like velvet, silk, or satin to truly capture the luxurious essence of the colour. Keep the overall space neutral to allow the rich colours to stand out.

The colours you choose for your home can completely transform its atmosphere. By incorporating the right shades, you can make your space feel incredibly chic and expensive, no matter your budget. Jewel tones, rich neutrals, and sophisticated shades like emerald green, charcoal grey, navy blue, taupe, and ruby red are timeless options that exude elegance.

Remember, the key to achieving a high-end look is balance. Use these colours thoughtfully in your walls, furniture, and accessories, and combine them with luxurious textures and finishes. Whether you're looking to create a cozy retreat or an impressive living room, these shades will make your home feel lavish, inviting, and, most importantly, expensive.