Even if you are on a restricted budget, with these clever DIY home decor ideas, from Jeanette Lockmiller, you can give your home an upscale look.

Here are some of the affordable high-impact projects that she tackled to make their home look luxe for less. And the best part? Everyone can do it!

1. Add Wainscoting and Trim

If you want your home to make a good first impression, focus on the foyer. After she painted the walls a dark, dramatic color, she craved the classic design elements found in their previous 1930s-era brownstone apartment. When the house was built in 2005, adding crown molding and wainscoting is a must one day. The foyer wainscoting project significantly upgraded the overall appearance of their home and it only cost roughly about $750. Whereas, the alternative would have been to pay a builder thousands! This project is also the main reason how she got hooked on power tools.

2. Paint Doors

The interior and exterior doors can be used to anchor a color scheme or to create even more drama and contrast. Their front door was not immune to change during the foyer upgrade project, and choosing black was such a good decision. She then eventually painted all of their interior doors a darker color as well. If black isn't your preference, you can go for any color that complements your aesthetic.

3. Embellish Kitchen Cabinetry

Aside from paint, your cabinetry might need a little embellishment to enhance its aesthetic. With Jeanette, she added trim first then painted their oak-paneled cabinets. She followed that up with more trim at the ceiling and the bottom to close any gaps. New hardware was then added and some wood panels were even removed and replaced with faux leaded glass. As you can tell, it was a process that evolved over time. And finally, adding wreaths during the holidays made the cabinets look even more luxe for less.

4. Curate and Collect

A mix of older collected pieces with new decors is a fun way to add sophistication and character to your home. A lot of the antiques that Jeanette rescued and repurposed have become her favorite pieces too. It would take a considerable time to curate a special collection, but the payoff is gorgeous and it demonstrates a well-thought-out space.

5. Be Resourceful

Being thrifty is great, however, being resourceful has saved Jeanette thousands of dollars. Sharpening your painting expertise or learning how to repair broken furniture are both valuable skills. For her, learning to decoupage has enabled her to create her own art. Even though it might not be an expensive masterpiece, it can certainly be made to look that way. It's very much worth it to push yourself out of your comfort zone for you to learn a new craft to create decor with a high-end look. How you will repurpose a thrift store treasure is important; it can look like a craft or you can make it look elegant. It’s not just about learning how to use power tools.

6. Choose a Versatile Wall Color with Staying Power

The most often question is, "What color is your wall paint?" A little secret to let in—it has been the same color for ten years! Wall color proved to be a huge decision for Jeanette, and it was a spur-of-the-moment choice when she pushed herself out of her comfort zone. With a few touch-ups, she had no reason to update it because it works well in their space. It's a warm tone during some seasons and cool in others. She tends to get funky and add crazy patterns and textures, she also buys trendy chairs, art, or pillows to give their rooms a new look. Overall, it's fun knowing that she can change her rooms simply by swapping out a few accessories.