9 Expensive-Looking Decor Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Year, Designers Say

You don’t need a massive budget to give your home a major style boost. Designers are already seeing fresh trends that bring a high-end feel without the high price tag – think smart swaps, natural textures, and statement pieces that do the heavy lifting.

These décor movements are gaining traction for a reason: they’re practical, stylish, and surprisingly easy to pull off. If you’re ready to refresh your space, these are the ideas that are making waves in homes everywhere.

1. Curved Furniture Makes a Comeback

Forget straight lines and sharp corners! Rounded sofas, curved chairs, and arched cabinets are transforming living spaces into sophisticated sanctuaries. The softness creates an instant high-end feel reminiscent of vintage Italian design.

You’ll find these graceful shapes particularly in bouclé fabrics and rich velvets, enhancing their luxurious appeal. Even a single curved piece can elevate your entire room’s design language.

2. Mixed Metals with Intentional Contrast

Random metal finishes are out, but deliberate metal mixing is definitely in. Pairing brushed brass with matte black or combining copper with chrome creates a curated, collected-over-time aesthetic that screams luxury.

The secret lies in limiting yourself to 2-3 complementary metal finishes throughout a space. I love how designers are using this technique in kitchens and bathrooms especially, where hardware, fixtures, and lighting can create stunning visual layers.

3. Plaster Finishes on Walls and Furniture

Textured plaster is having a major moment! This ancient technique brings depth, dimension, and organic movement to walls, furniture, and decorative objects. The subtle variations catch light beautifully throughout the day.

From Venetian plaster accent walls to sculptural plaster lamps, this finish instantly elevates ordinary spaces. What makes it look expensive is its hand-crafted quality – each application is uniquely textured and impossible to mass-produce.

4. Statement Stone Beyond Countertops

Marble, onyx, and travertine are breaking free from kitchen counters! These gorgeous materials now star in coffee tables, decorative objects, and even wall applications with dramatic veining and rich colors.

The most luxurious approach features book-matched stone, where slabs are cut and arranged to create mirrored patterns. Even small touches like marble coasters or alabaster lamps bring that expensive mineral beauty into any space.

5. Japandi Minimalism with Organic Textures

The marriage of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian warmth creates spaces that feel both serene and sophisticated. Clean lines paired with natural materials like unfinished wood, handwoven textiles, and ceramic pieces deliver understated luxury.

What makes this trend look expensive is its focus on craftsmanship and quality over quantity. A single perfectly proportioned wooden chair or handmade ceramic vessel speaks volumes more than cluttered decor ever could.

6. Sculptural Lighting as Functional Art

Goodbye, basic fixtures! Lighting is now the jewelry of the room – sculptural, artistic, and conversation-starting. Designers are embracing lights that double as art installations with unusual shapes and dramatic scales.

The beauty of this trend is how a single statement piece can transform even the simplest space. Look for asymmetrical chandeliers, mouth-blown glass pendants, or lamps with architectural bases that create beautiful shadows and light play.

7. Layered Textures in Monochromatic Palettes

Color isn’t the only way to create visual interest! The most sophisticated spaces this year feature tonal layers in single-color schemes – think different shades of cream, taupe, or sage green with varying textures.

A bouclé chair next to a slubby linen curtain beside a grasscloth wall covering creates depth without chaos. The expensive look comes from this restraint – when everything speaks the same color language but with different textural “accents.”

8. Fluted and Reeded Details

Vertical grooves are making waves! Fluted glass, reeded wood panels, and ribbed textures on everything from cabinet fronts to vases add architectural interest and a custom, bespoke quality to ordinary items.

This classic technique dates back to ancient Greek columns but feels thoroughly modern in today’s applications. The linear repetition creates beautiful shadow play and adds dimension without being busy – a hallmark of truly expensive design.

9. Oversized Art in Unexpected Places

Large-scale artwork is making bold statements in surprising locations! Think massive canvases in powder rooms, sculptural installations in hallways, or oversized photography in kitchens.

The unexpected placement and generous scale immediately signal confidence and sophistication. Even more impressive is when the art relates to the architecture – a painting that follows the angle of a staircase or a sculpture that complements the height of a window creates that custom, designed-just-for-you luxury feel.