Whether you're planning to sell your home or just give it an updated look, you don't need to break the bank to get stylish design appeal. Our real estate agents often show homes decorated on a budget that impress even the most discriminating homebuyers.

Good decorating skills rely on a keen eye and a sense of style. Finding stylish furniture, rugs, lighting, and accessories for your home doesn't take a lot of money, just the ability to spot things that look expensive. Take a look at ways to add upscale touches to your home on a budget.

• Paint Doors a Contrasting Color
  Most homeowners have basic white doors throughout the house because they're neutral and blend easily with interior colors. To update your style, consider painting your doors in colors like steel gray, chestnut brown, olive green, or pale yellow that add a pop of color and complement architectural style.

• Install Molding and Trim
  Unless you live in a very modern house, installing crown molding to your ceiling and decorative trim to doors and windows will add character, visual interest, and upscale ambiance to your interior. Wood moldings will cost more and need paint, but PVC molding is inexpensive, pre-finished, and easy to cut and install.

• Add Built-Ins
  While many custom Atlanta homes for sale have built-in features, they are harder to find in older homes. Built-in window seats, bookcases, and storage spaces increase home value, but they're expensive to build and customize. Instead of building them, look for affordable ready-made items that are easy to install.

• Buy the Right Size Area Rugs
  Area rugs add style, texture, and color, but they must be the right size for your room. Area rugs that are too small will throw your room off balance and feel cheap, even if they're not. To boost style and save money, check clearance sections in stores and online sites, but make sure you measure your room first to get the right size rug.

• Oversize Your Lighting
  It's better to choose a chandelier or ceiling fixture that's slightly oversized rather than one that's too small for the room. A quick way to update style is by ditching those builder-grade light fixtures and replacing them with updated fixtures in glass, chrome, gold, or bronze. You can find a variety of styles and fixtures at affordable prices.

• Layer the Light in Your Rooms
  Designers recommend three types of lighting in every room to create good ambiance, depth, and comfort. Each room should have a ceiling-mounted fixture for general light; task fixtures like table or desk lamps, floor lamps, or wall-mounted lamps for reading; and accent fixtures like picture lights, under-cabinet lights, and candles for atmosphere.

• Throw in Some Heirloom Pieces
  Whether your home is ultra-modern, shabby chic, contemporary, or traditional, you can find high-quality furniture pieces at bargain prices. To give your home a personalized look, shop local estate sales, thrift shops, and antique shops for items with unique details and high style. You'll be amazed at the treasures you find at affordable prices.

• Go for the Bold
  Whatever your choice of design style, go for bold colors, patterns, and finishes for updated appeal. Paint colors in bold hues, wallpapers in bold patterns, and accessories in bold finishes are the latest look in upscale design. If you've always played it safe with light colors and small patterns, maybe now's the time to step it up and go for the bold.

If you're considering a move to the Atlanta area, contact us about available homes and prices that fit your lifestyle.