A $100,000 home can be decorated with as much style as the million-dollar home, but on a smaller scale.

Planning the space

Charlotte B. Teagle/Staff (ENLARGE)

Example of 'oversized wall/high ceiling art' hung by Robert Brown of Robert Brown Interior Design at one of his client's homes in Buckhead.

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Instead of hiring an interior designer, pay for a consultation only. A designer will walk through the house (or rooms) and make recommendations per a budget. A one-hour consultation costs about $250. For a free referral, see the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Design at 404-231-3938 or visit www.asidga.org.

Art

Every home needs some. In a moderately priced

home, the art might not be unique and the quality might not be as high, but it can still be displayed attractively. Frame blown-up photos, pictures that have been copied on canvas or photos taken from books. Shop for unusual art at flea markets and second-hand stores. Avoid the tendency to hang lots of little pictures if the rooms are small or the wall space is limited. Big pictures make more of an impact.

Collections

Just like art, you don't have to be a millionaire to collect things. But there might not be as much space to display it. That's where shelves, sofa tables and other surfaces come in handy.

Window treatments

Ready-made curtains warm a room and add to the decor just as much as custom-made. Hang window treatments above the window, perhaps near the crown molding, and allow the hem to puddle on the floor.

Furnishings

Buy a few quality pieces to anchor a room, such as a sofa, dining table or entertainment center, and blend with inexpensive accent items. You might not be able to afford a Persian rug, but a chic area rug that picks up the colors in the room is better than leaving the floors bare. Paint is one of the cheapest ways to transform a room.

Lighting

Maybe you don't replace all the light fixtures, but some can be upgraded. Consider the chandelier in the dining room or ceiling fans. Decorative light switch plates also add interest. Dimmers are a great way to control lighting and are easy to install.

— Alma E. Hill

Sources: Interior designers Dan Carithers, Mary Margarett Nevin and Stan Topol