You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune to Make a Home Look Designer
We’re always excited when the staging and design conversation reaches a national audience, so we were especially excited to see Everly Design Co. featured in CNN Underscored’s recent look at The Home Depot’s furniture and décor offerings.
And honestly? We weren’t surprised.
The idea that great-looking furniture has to come with a designer price tag is one we’re happy to challenge. The Home Depot has become a surprisingly strong source for furniture and décor that can bring style, texture and personality into a space—without requiring a complete design budget overhaul. The CNN feature highlights everything from accent tables and ottomans to mirrors, storage pieces and décor.
But here’s the thing we know from staging hundreds of homes: It’s not always about where you shop. It’s about knowing what to look for.
So, What Makes a Piece Look Expensive?
At Everly, we’re constantly evaluating furniture based on more than whether we simply “like” it. A piece has to work within the bigger picture of a room.
1. Scale matters.
One of the quickest ways to make a room feel off is choosing furniture that is too large or too small for the space.
A beautiful oversized sofa can overwhelm a smaller living room. A tiny coffee table can make a large seating area feel disconnected. The right proportions make a room feel intentional—and that goes a long way toward creating a high-end look.
2. Look for interesting silhouettes.
You don't need an ornate or expensive piece to make a statement. A curved chair, a pedestal-style table or a cabinet with architectural detailing can give a room personality without overwhelming it.
We love pieces that have a little something unexpected about them while still feeling timeless.
3. Texture does a lot of heavy lifting.
This is one of our favorite design shortcuts.
Think woven baskets, textured upholstery, wood grain, linen-inspired fabrics, metal finishes and natural materials. Layering different textures makes a room feel collected and considered—even when the individual pieces aren't particularly expensive.
The CNN feature, for example, highlights woven water hyacinth baskets and reeded wood furniture—both great examples of pieces that add visual interest without needing to take over a room.
4. Choose pieces that have a job.
Especially when we're staging a home, every piece needs to earn its spot.
An ottoman can provide seating, act as a coffee table with the addition of a tray, and help anchor a living room. A console can define an entryway. A mirror can add light and dimension. Storage can make a room feel more functional while also adding style.
The best pieces aren't just pretty. They're purposeful.
And This Is Where Staging Comes In
When we're preparing a home for the market, we're not trying to recreate a showroom or make every room look like it came from the same catalog.
We're creating a visual story.
Buyers need to understand how a room works, where the furniture belongs and what it might feel like to live there. The right furniture helps establish scale, define spaces and create an emotional connection with the home.
That's why staging isn't necessarily about using the most expensive furniture. It's about using the right furniture.
A $5,000 sofa in the wrong room is still the wrong sofa.
A thoughtfully chosen piece at a much lower price point can sometimes do exactly what the room needs.
And that's the real takeaway we loved from this CNN feature: good design doesn't have to be inaccessible.
Whether you're furnishing your own home, refreshing a room before listing, or simply looking for that designer look without the designer price tag, start by looking at the whole room. Consider proportion. Mix textures. Pay attention to finishes. Choose pieces that serve a purpose.
And, most importantly, don't underestimate the power of thoughtful placement.
Because at Everly, we believe a beautiful room isn't about how much you spent.
It's about how well you put it all together.