Designers say this 1 unassuming and affordable feature will make your home look more expensive

When designing a room, there is often a focus on the big stuff – the colors, the furniture, the flooring. Of course, these bigger decisions are key, but when it comes to making the home look more expensive, designers say it's the small (but mighty) touches that make all the difference.

I recently asked designers what one thing they thought always made a room look more expensive, more elevated and put together, and the answer was unanimous – hardware. Door knobs, cabinet handles and draw pulls, the feedback was that this small feature can make or break a home.

Although unassuming, hardware is an impactful accessory that strays from just kitchen cabinet hardware ideas and can pack plenty of punch when done well. Whether you're starting with an entirely blank canvas and giving a newly built home some character or you want to make your period property feel more authentic, a simple chic brass doorknob, vintage drawer pulls, or an ornate cabinet handle can make a room feel bespoke, sophisticated, and eternally chic.

'Hardware can really make a space,' interior designer and co-founder of Pierce & Ward, Emily Ward tells me. 'We always use it to add character to shelves with beautiful brackets and charm to new kitchens and antique furniture.'

Updating the hardware on your thrifted second-hand finds is one of the easiest ways to give them new life. I recently sourced a beautiful solid-wood dresser, but the handles were wood too, and I wanted to create a bit of interest. I switched them for some classic fluted shell handles – it was a quick and affordable switch that made so much difference.

Handles can add character to the home and transform new furniture, too. Whether it's an IKEA closet that needs some character or a lackluster desk that needs a duo of handles for its drawers, brass and gold accents can give them patina and grandeur.

'Beautiful hardware can offer those small, surprising moments of delight,' says interior designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'Just as importantly, it can also support you in how you live. A handle that fits perfectly in your grip, or a lever that replaces a difficult-to-turn knob, can enhance your day-to-day experience, especially for those with specific physical needs. Good design meets you where you are, and hardware is often one of the most intimate expressions of that.'

Of course, hardware can often have the biggest impact in the kitchen. If you are looking to make your current kitchen look more expensive, switching your hardware is going to have the biggest effect on the smallest budget. It's also a practical way to add character and personality. It can be tricky to get decor into this hardworking space, which is why going decorative with your hardware can really add some much-needed interest.

Helen Parker, Creative Director of deVOL Kitchens agrees, explaining, 'I would always look at the knobs and handles in your kitchen to elevate the space. Really beautiful hardware makes an enormous difference to the finished look of a kitchen, quality is more expensive, but it also makes an average kitchen suddenly feel much more bespoke.'

To create a unique look to your kitchen cabinets, source vintage and antique varieties on sites like eBay and Etsy.

Viewed as small and discreet, doorknobs are often overlooked when it comes to home design, but in reality, they can create just as much impact as painting a door or restyling a shelf. Door handles are thoughtful details that suggest you've paid the utmost attention; it's these touches that will ensure your home feels collected and considered.

'It’s often said that hardware is the jewelry of the home, and for good reason,' says Nina. 'Just as a statement earring or heirloom ring can transform an outfit, a thoughtfully chosen door handle or drawer pull can define a space and bring soul to a room, quietly anchoring the aesthetic with surprising power.'

She adds, 'Far from being purely functional, hardware offers one of the most accessible ways to inject personality into a room. A brushed brass pull can soften a high-contrast kitchen; a hand-forged iron knob can lend gravitas to an otherwise understated hallway door. These small details, often touched more than any other surface, carry tactile significance. They invite interaction, making the experience of opening a cabinet or stepping into a room feel intentional.'

While you can opt for the same doorknob style and decorate your home with cohesive accents scattered throughout, you don't have to match your pieces. In fact, a handpainted knob may feel more suited for a bathroom or a laundry room entrance, whereas a grander brass hexagonal knob might work better for the entrance to a kitchen or living room. These subtle accents tell a story and entice you into a room, showcasing your style as a designer in an understated yet elegant way.

Bo Knoblauch, Vice President of Product Development at Rejuvenation says, 'Regardless of the style you’re drawn to, refreshing your home with custom cabinet hardware adds a subtle touch of sophistication that will transform any space. There’s a clear interest in hardware with intricate and subtle decorative touches – details that add character and texture without overwhelming a space. Reeded detailing, for example, adds dimension to your cabinetry. On the other hand, sleek silhouettes and clean lines bring a high-quality, contemporary look to your kitchen, bath, or laundry room.'

Whether you're adding some vintage kitchen hardware to your scheme or you're simply swapping out a plain doorknob for a more ornate style, these small but impactful changes can elevate your rooms and make your home look more expensive without having to spend $100s.