Anyway, the point is that I want to walk through the door and feel coccooned from the outside world by the luxury of my house. I just also want to do it for $40 or less.
Which you can! Luckily, making a home feel luxurious is less about grand gestures, like surround sound systems or rugs made out of extinct tiger skins, and more about paying attention to little details. What kind of little details? I'm glad you asked.
DCMEKA Mini Personal Portable Humidifier with Night Light - $25.99
DCMEKA Personal Portable Humidifier with Night LightDCMEKAamazon.com$25.99Shop NowFirst up is a combo diffuser so you can make your home smell relaxing and inviting with whatever essential oil you choose. Want to make people feel ready to chill on the couch? Lavender oil. A spa-style energizing smell? Lemongrass and rose. Energetic and fresh? Peppermint and tea tree. And it helps that the diffuser comes with an adorable little plant holder, which will fit a low-effort succulent without problems. It's ready to be proudly displayed on your coffee table or in your bedroom.
Stemless Red Wine Glasses (Set of 4) - $37.97
Stemless Red Wine Glasses (Set of 4)ELIXIR GLASSWAREamazon.com$37.97Shop Now
Moving to the kitchen, which is kind of the heart of the home, you’ll need a couple of low-budget fancy buys to impress anyone who comes over for dinner or drinks. The first is a set of affordable but pretty stemless glasses which you can use for wine, gin, juice, or anything else. Whether you serve a gorgeous glass of red, a soda, or a pretty cocktail, stemless glasses look grown up and always feel fancier than a standard hi-ball glass or normal wine glass. Plus, they work for loads of different occasions so you don’t need to have 27 different types of glasses stowed away in your cupboard. Minimum spend, maximum use.
Modern Innovations 16 Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife Bar - $19.99
Modern Innovations 16 Inch Stainless Steel Magnetic Knife BarModern Innovationsamazon.com$19.99Shop NowThen you’ll want to show that you’re a functioning adult who is invested in the little luxuries, and that you’ve got everything under control. It doesn’t matter if you’re actually screaming on the inside and wondering where the adultier adults are, because a magnetic knife strip for your knife collection is undoubtedly the sign of someone who knows what’s going on. Basically, you are paying attention to and spending on the tiny things – so your house, by default, is fancy and luxurious. Don’t think so? Look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn’t be impressed by someone with their life so well-organized that their knives are stored, not in a drawer or even in a block, but attached to the very wall as if by some ancient witchcraft.
Bathroom Soap and Lotion Dispenser Set - $35
Bathroom Soap Dispenser SetMAISONOVOamazon.com$32.70Shop NowAnd finally, the bathroom. You know when you head to a very fancy restaurant and the bathroom feels like you’ve walked into a lovely hotel? That’s what you’re aiming for. It doesn’t have to be big, it just has to have good lighting and a couple of small touches which make it feel extra special. The first is a matching soap and lotion dispenser set for your bathroom. It just makes everything look polished and shows, once again, that you’re thinking about the little things.
Cotton Paradise Oversized Bath Sheet - $21.99
Cotton Paradise Oversized Bath SheetCotton Paradiseamazon.comShop NowThe second is great towels. There's honestly nothing more lavish than coming out of a shower or bath and wrapping yourself in a huge fluffy towel. Or even just wiping your hands on a fancy, nicely-colored, soft towel instead of that faded green one from 2003. I like these grey ones because they work with almost any color scheme and don’t fade the way white ones do (but if you’re all about crisp colors and natural light then by all means, pick the white). Regardless of the color, I dare you not to sit on the bed right after and just stay enveloped in this fluffy goodness for hours. Remember, buying good towels is an investment – more money up front, but they last far longer, and make a big difference in how how bathroom feels.