How to Get a Luxury Designer Look Without the Luxury Price Tag | #13

Luxury isn't about how much you spend—it's about how strategically you design.

In this episode of Return On Design, Rachel Niederhofer breaks down how to create a high-end, designer look without blowing your budget. From tile patterns and grout choices to millwork, scale, and focal points, Rachel shares the small but powerful design decisions that dramatically elevate a space—and deliver real ROI.

You'll learn:

• Why expensive materials don't guarantee a luxury result.
• How tile layout, pattern, and grout color can completely change the perceived value of a space.
• When to use statement details (like herringbone or marble accents) strategically instead of everywhere.
• How millwork, door headers, and trim scale can make ceilings feel taller and rooms feel grander.
• Where to splurge—and where not to—when working with a limited budget.
• How proportion, scale, and thoughtful restraint create a more elevated finish than overdesigning.

Rachel also shares practical examples from real projects, showing how classic design principles, thoughtful allocation, and clean execution consistently outperform trend-chasing and overspending. Whether you're flipping a home, renovating your own space, or working with a tight budget, this episode will help you rethink what "luxury" really means—and how to achieve it strategically.

👉 Follow Return On Design for more insights on how to design smarter, spend intentionally, and create spaces that look incredible and perform.