Luxe Color Schemes That'll Make Your Home Look More High-End Without Costing A Fortune

Imagine spending hours salivating over opulent homes on "Selling Sunset," only to have your eyes drift from the screen to take in your surroundings. If you felt a tinge of disappointment, there are some small changes that could make your home feel more luxurious. The changes? It's all about luxe color schemes that'll make your home look more high-end without costing a fortune. Design TV enthusiasts already know that color plays an outsized role in interior design. It influences how you perceive the room, the way it makes you feel, and how it echoes your personality and character. In short, anything to do with sensory and visual appeal is concepted, infused, and exuded through color. By extension, impressing a feeling of decadence in your home is no exception, and Erika Dale, House Digest's interior design expert and founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, confirms this on authority.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Dale says, "As with any design and decorating, there are budget-friendly ways to accomplish any aesthetic, including the high-end luxe look. Certainly, a well-crafted, balanced color palette and intentional design vision will help achieve this vibe, no matter the budget." This naturally brings us to the best part: What color schemes exemplify a high-end look and how can you affordably incorporate them into your home? Spoiler alert: Earthy and jewel tones scream glint and glamour, but you must follow through for the finer details.

Not everyone wants their home to appear like it's been lifted from "The Crown" — some take their quiet luxury décor quite seriously. "For those who love neutral palettes, create a curated and dynamic palette of mixed earth tones for that upscale quiet luxury look," advises Dale in her exclusive interview with House Digest. Think rich greens, burnished umber, or tepid clay. "To add in a little drama, inject moodier colors for a more striking impact and contrast, such as muted deep earth tones or medium-dark mid-tone shades," she adds. Pantone's 2025 color, "Mocha Mousse," is a classic example, though terracotta, amber, khaki, and taupe remain ever-so-timeless.

But what if you're done with minimalism and can't wait to unleash the maximalist in you? Look into jewel tones to project wealth in your home. "For those who love color, jewel tones scream opulence, so choose one or two you love to use in the space for some serious wow-factor," suggests Dale. While amethyst purple remains an iconic choice, ruby reds, sapphire blues, and emerald greens are catching the imagination, too. Further spruce the space with cashmere or velvet. If making a choice becomes overwhelming, consider color drenching. "When in doubt, color-drench the space with your moody or jewel-toned hue or choice to really make a luxury statement," says Dale. Put simply, saturate everything — from your walls and trims to furnishings — in the same hue. But don't forget to contrast with different finishes, lest it grows monotonous and unexciting.

Whether you go with earthy or jewel, it remains to be seen how these luxe color schemes can be featured inside your home. After all, you're working with a limited budget. "Using luxe color schemes in public entertaining rooms like the living, dining, powder, and guest room is a great way to share your regal look with guests," explains Dale in her exclusive chat with House Digest. This would make sense for homeowners who lean toward keeping things relaxed, comfortable, and cozy in their primary living spaces. But what if you thrive on extravagance? "More private spaces like the primary suite, home offices/library, and family room can also be a wonderful way for you to enjoy the ritzy aesthetic every day," concedes Dale.

As for the design specifics, Dale mentions, "Variation and balance [are] key to making any color palette look more sophisticated. By artfully mixing materials and creating enough contrast, you elevate your color palette from basic to an elegant scheme full of visual interest." For instance, unless you're color drenching your room with earthy greens, adding them to your ceiling, trims, or doors can do wonders if your room carries brass or oak furnishings. In a minimalist design, adding neutral-toned biophilic accent pieces like pottery and planters can evoke understated sophistication.