How to Get the Luxury Look for Less

Ways to achieve high-end results on a lower budget

We live in an interesting time when shared economy takes over and the variety of services and options are growing at an accelerated pace.

A familiar challenge for people looking to build or remodel a home is being able to achieve a luxurious look while staying under a strict budget. As builders, here at www.luxbuilders.com, we work with clients to strategically use the latest cost-effective materials to create beautiful and functional spaces.

The construction industry is about changing lifestyles. Take a kitchen, for example. You create a kitchen that really works and that people love. As a result, your cooking will improve, which means the food you eat will get healthier and will be better for your family. It literally changes lives.

Getting a high-end look for less doesn’t mean sacrificing durability and practicality. There are so many alternatives now that will save you money without compromising style and quality.  Work with a contractor who has a thirst for learning and who isn’t afraid of being innovating. That way, you’ll find the latest and greatest of what’s available.

If you have enough square footage, we advise you to remodel your home rather than building a new one. You’ll save money on things like the foundation, administration and utilities connection, and still have a lot of options for achieving the beautiful look and lifestyle improvement you really want.

While custom cabinets allow for limitless possibilities, you can achieve your desired design for a lower cost by opting for semi-custom cabinetry. If your contractor has experience with semi-custom cabinets, they’ll know how to manipulate your layout and give you something amazing. The same concept applies to vanities, closets and other storage systems.

For clients in Irvine, CA we used prefabricated Shaker-style cabinets in two colors, seen here, to give the kitchen a more custom look and feel. Our team also opened up the kitchen to the living room, allowing for a bright and elegant flow to the new space.

Instead of marble, use porcelain in your bathroom to achieve the same impressive look but for much less money. Consider purchasing 24-by-48-inch porcelain tiles, it won’t compromise the look and will achieve the goal of continuous lines while saving you time and money.

Homeowners in Manhattan Beach, CA originally wanted marble in their master bath, seen here. To get the same look at a lower cost, we used porcelain slab. It doesn’t require sealing or a special fabricator, it’s practical and it’s just as beautiful as marble — but at a quarter of the price.

For a classic look at a fraction of the cost, we also use faux wood beams in our projects. Engineered-wood beams are lighter, don’t require structural changes or reinforcement, and look like real wood.

One of our Manhattan Beach, CA clients wanted a coastal style with the warmth of a transitional home. We ordered custom-made engineered wood beams, seen here; the clients were even able to select the color. Engineered-wood flooring and reclaimed wood accents also were used throughout the home.

As you can see, you don’t need sacrifice design ideas due to high-costs.  Work with your contractor or designer and find solutions.  These are just a few of the ways we helped our clients to reduce their costs, while at the same time, adding luxury into their homes.