10 Tips on How to Have Luxury Interior Design on Any Budget
Faith Led Interior Design Show | Episode 4
I believe that luxury is available to all of us because luxury is a state of mind. It can be subjective to each individual.
Luxury is not only about money, although as we all know it can be it's not as much about money as it is about your comfort level. What is a luxury to one person may be way overdone for another.
On any budget, luxury can be a condition of abundance, great ease, comfort, and elegance. I like this definition because it truly applies to all of us, no matter our financial situation.
If you're believing the fallacy that luxury interior design is only for the rich and famous this episode is for you.
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What Is the Difference Between Luxury and Luxe?
Luxury is very wealthy and comfortable surroundings while luxe is luxury on your budget. That is my definition.
10 Tips on How to Have Luxury Interior Design on Any Budget
1. LUXURY IS TIED TO EACH PERSON’S EXPERIENCES
From very simple and minimal to the most extreme opulence and extravagance.
I had a mission trip to the trash dumps in South America: Nicaragua, and Honduras. I went with Winnie and Georgian Banov to Global Celebration - Honduras trash dump. Prior to going on this mission trip, I had just gotten back from visiting a custom home that I had designed on a private island in Fiji. Going from this custom home on a private island to the trash dumps of Honduras was really upsetting. I literally walked through a town in the trash dump…a town! I was crying and confused…barely knowing my own name.
I looked over and there was Winnie Banov shaking hands with a man who was caked with dirt. She was treating him with honor and dignity, as God’s child. Then it hit me - that's what I'm supposed to be doing! So, I pulled myself together and got back in line to greet the people coming in for the BBQ we were distributing to them, which was a great luxury for them.
A woman in the line came to me. She was so beautiful with the biggest smile. She gave me one of the biggest hugs I think I've ever had in my life. She’s so joyful, and in that instant, I knew that she had a special relationship with the Lord. That is the kind of joy that only comes from God.
Right then, in the trash dump, I heard the Lord saying, “I don't care if you live in a palace or a trash dump. I just want your heart”.
The mission trip taught me that luxury can be all over the board. That it is from very simple and minimal to the most extreme of feelings and extravagance.
2. LUXURY IS SUBJECTIVE
I believe that luxury is available to all of us because luxury, to me, is a state of mind. It can be subjective to each individual.
Luxury is not as much about money as it is about comfort.
On any budget, luxury can be a condition of abundance, great ease, comfort, and elegance. I like this definition because it truly can apply to all of us, no matter our financial situation.
3. A LUXURY BUDGET
Your personal luxury can be achieved on a small budget, it does not necessarily have to be expensive. You can use online marketplaces, consignment shops, and outlets to your advantage…
The other extreme is an extravagant lifestyle budget that is quite expensive. There are those who shop on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Lido in Newport Beach, or any other high-end areas throughout the world. Here the definitions of luxury claim that it is extravagant living, totally custom pieces, ultra-quality materials, the finest workmanship, unique, and usually one of a kind.
4. LUXURY CREATES CONVENIENCE
Luxury has increasingly come to mean convenience, whether it be physical comfort or an increasing reliance on technology to handle our lifestyle needs. Although highly personal, as a whole luxury strives to provide people with experiences and meaningful connections over product alone.
5. LUXURY CREATES MORE FREE TIME
Happiness is … more time, not more money!
When people invest too much time and energy into making more money, it’s often because they assume the extra cash will bring greater happiness. But they are wrong. People with more free time are actually happier, healthier, and more productive than people who work all the time and make more money, according to Whillans’ research, including a 2019 study of working adults in 79 countries.
6. LUXURY HELPS US TO SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY
Especially the 5 senses, voluptuous…smell, sight, touch, hearing, and taste.
Designing spaces that activate the senses in a way that is meaningful to you is fundamental to interior design. It is my goal for every interior design I do.
How do you do this at home? It can be quite a fun and fulfilling challenge.
7. LUXURY IS NEVER CLUTTERED
Clutter is any excess in life, whether material or emotional baggage we haul around that weighs us down, distracts from our purpose, or robs us of joy and mind-body-spirit health.
8. LUXURY HELPS US PRIORITIZE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
I tell my clients to surround themselves with things that are a personal inspiration to them and things that they LOVE. Think of items in your home that you love and are very personal to you.
When you sit in your room and look around, it would be wonderful if, with each item you see, you love it. All the rest can hopefully be behind closed doors. I know this is a challenge, but it does help us choose quality over quantity and to pare down.
9. LUXURY HELPS US FOCUS ON THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COMFORT US
Get personal. An indulgence in something that provides pleasure, rich and sumptuous, comfortable and elegant. Think about if the item is both beautiful and functional.
10. LUXURY HELPS US LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST
″It is important for consumers to honestly reflect on whether the item will represent who they truly are. If not, the item will end up unused because it feels inauthentic and untrue.”
Only splurge on things that are a reflection of you, and things that you truly love!!!
The Conclusion
Luxury is possible for all!
It is a State of Mind. It is more about a great design, or how it is designed, than the cost of items.
It is a beautiful reflection of you at any price point.
You truly can have a luxury interior design on any budget!
I'm still collecting your most pressing interior design questions. Please go to my email at Shereedouglas@gmail.com and submit your question. It may be one that I will feature on my podcast. That would be great, and it really helps me know what you are needing for your interior design projects.
