Martha Stewart’s Timeless Wisdom: Taste Isn’t Bought, It’s Cultivated
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Hi, friends!
Martha Stewart once said, “Just because you don’t have a lot of money doesn’t mean you don’t have taste.” And girl, if that doesn’t slap, I don’t know what will. Seriously, you can rock a $10 thrift find like it’s straight off a runway. The secret isn’t in your bank account, it’s in how you see and put together your style. If scrolling through “budget-friendly” looks has you wondering if broke ever looked this sad, lean in. I’m about to show you how to fake luxury without eating instant noodles for the rest of the month. Taste isn’t bought. It’s grown, curated, and, most importantly, owned by you.
TLDR: You can have style, taste, and a full-on designer vibe without spending a fortune. It’s not about the price tag. It’s about the eye. And the internet is brimming with ways to fake the luxe life while still making rent. Taste isn’t sold in stores. It’s something you shape. It’s curated. Learned. Tweaked. It’s the talent of knowing what works, what doesn’t, and what makes something feel like you. Let me show you how I make it work.
Step 1: Stop Waiting to Be Rich Before You Start Caring
I often see so many people caught up in this peculiar waiting room of life, convinced that their happiness or success hinges solely on making more money. That’s such a myth! I used to think style would magically show up once my paycheck hit a certain number. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. It showed up when I started paying attention to what made me feel good.
The reality is that taste and style don't just magically appear in your bank account when you finally reach that coveted income level... It's something you can start cultivating right now, in this very moment. You might have had a sense of style all along, even if you didn't realize it!
Take a moment to think about Martha Stewart. She built an empire on the simple principle of knowing what looked good, not necessarily what was the most expensive. Taste is all about vision, creativity, and self-expression, it's not tethered to a budget.
So let's dig a little deeper. Ask yourself some questions: What colors make you feel calm, confident, sexy, or even luxurious? Picture how the right shade can lift your spirits or change your whole vibe. What about textures? Are you drawn to the softness of linen, the richness of velvet, or perhaps the sleekness of glossy finishes? And think about trends, what styles resonate with you even when they fall out of the limelight?
You'll start to uncover a clearer picture of your taste, and that’s when everything else begins to fall into place. The sooner you take that step, the more empowered you’ll feel in your decisions, whether it’s in fashion, home decor, or even how you present yourself to the world.
Step 2: How to Shop Like a Stylist (Even If You're Broke)
Stylists are obsessed with details, and honestly, we all should be too! It’s all about the little touches that can elevate your space or outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.
Measure, then buy: If your lamp looks like a toddler next to your couch, it’s a no.
Materials matter: I’m all about that real wood or glass look. Plastic? Pass.
Trends are trap: I still own a velvet blazer from 2013 that looks fire. A trendy neon jacket from 2009? Trash.
Step 3: Create a mood board for Your Life
When Martha said that line, I immediately thought of my Pinterest boards. Confession time: I have about 15 boards for ‘dream looks’ and like 1 for ‘my actual life.’ Don’t judge me lol.
The reason this matters? Because style needs direction. If you don’t know what you love, you’ll keep panic-buying the wrong stuff. Your mood board becomes your compass. When you walk into Target, instead of grabbing whatever’s on the endcap (guilty), you’ll have a vibe in mind. You’ll choose better. You’ll curate.
Pro tip: Make a private board called "My Actual Home" or "My Style, But Affordable." Save only the looks you’d replicate.
Step 4: Use What You Already Own, But Better
We get so bored with our stuff. But boredom doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Rearrange your furniture or swap pillows or blankets from the bedroom to the living room for a fresh vibe.
Paint thrifted furniture glossy black or white (so cheap, so chic) or gold if you’re extra like Jon and I.
Swap art between rooms.
Rearrange your shelves by color or size.
I once spent a Sunday painting all my black frames gold, and suddenly my gallery wall looked designer-level. Like, where is my Architectural Digest feature?
Step 5: Learn the Art of Styling (Not Just Decorating)
You know that moment when a house looks expensive but you can’t figure out why? That’s styling. Styling is the finishing touch. It’s layering the throw blanket just right. It’s putting that candle and matchbox next to the tiny bowl of crystals. It’s not just having the stuff, it’s how it’s placed.
Start here:
Odd numbers = magic. Don’t just group two candles, add a third thing, like a mini vase.
Mix textures like a pro: velvet + linen + ceramic = all the feels.
Layering = the difference between “eh” and “OMG, where did you get this??”
Taste lives in the styling.
Step 6: Say No to the Ugly Just Because It’s Cheap
It hurts. I get it. But you’re not building a clearance rack. You’re curating a vibe. If you want to have taste, you have to get picky. Even when you’re broke, don’t buy things that feel off just because they’re "such a deal." There’s always another deal. But bad taste? That sticks out like a sore thumb. Raise your standards. You’re not here to build a home or closet full of clearance regrets. You’re building a place that feels like you.
Step 7: Know That Your Taste Evolves, And That’s Good
This was my senior photo! As you can tell, my 2014- 2015 style is nothing like my style now!
Your taste will change. That doesn’t make you inconsistent. That means you're growing. I used to love all-white everything. (I was super overstimulated and needed minimalism at the time, which now drives me NUTS lol) And now, I’m more into clean lines, yet subtle drama, and calming tones with a little glam. The evolution is part of the style. Let yourself change without shame. You’re not a Pinterest board. You’re a person.
Budget Resources I Swear By
These are the secret little spots I hit when I want to upgrade without spending $$$:
Facebook Marketplace (obviously)
ThriftBooks – for coffee table books and cute old hardcovers
Etsy – digital art prints that look high-end for under $10
H&M Home – their ceramics? Stunning.
World Market – for affordable rugs, stools, and quirky accessories
What I Want You to Remember
Martha Stewart said it best. You don’t need to be rich to have taste. You need to:
Trust your eye
Learn what works
Let yourself evolve
Say no to the wrong stuff (even if it’s $4.99)
Style the heck out of what you do have
Because taste isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about how much you care.
Too Long, Didn’t Read?
Taste is not about money. It’s about editing, knowing what you like, and learning how to make it work.
Moodboards, Pinterest, and practice help refine your style.
Styling matters more than expensive furniture.
Don’t buy junk just because it’s cheap.
Get creative. Rearrange. Paint. Reuse.
You can look expensive even on a ramen-noodle budget.
FAQs
What are affordable ways to make my home look more expensive?
You don’t need a Restoration Hardware budget to have a chic space. Start by shopping secondhand, focusing on quality materials like real wood or glass, and always scale your pieces to fit the room. Add height with curtains, bring in layered lighting (lamps are magic), and style intentionally using odd-number groupings and texture mixing. Taste is in the details, not the dollars.
How can I develop my own taste or personal style on a budget?
Personal style is something you build, not something you buy. Start by creating a mood board (hello, Pinterest), take note of colors and textures you’re drawn to, and ignore trends that don’t feel like you. Then shop intentionally: secondhand, clearance, or DIY. Don’t buy just because it’s cheap. Buy because it speaks to your vibe.
How do I know if something looks expensive or just trendy?
Ask yourself two things: Would I still love this in 2 years? and, Does this feel well-made? Trends are loud, but taste is quiet and consistent. If it looks plastic, flimsy, or screams “last season’s TikTok,” leave it. Materials, weight, finish, and timeless silhouettes are what make something feel expensive.
Can I decorate my apartment like a designer without spending a lot?
100%. Use paint strategically, rearrange what you already own, and thrift for elevated pieces. Make everything intentional. Stack books by color. Frame art you already have. Replace cheap knobs with better ones from Etsy. It’s not about redoing your whole place, it’s about refining what’s already there.
What’s the secret to making budget-friendly clothes look high-end?
Tailoring is everything. A $15 thrifted blazer that fits perfectly will always outshine a $200 ill-fitting one. Pay attention to fabric (natural over synthetic), avoid super trendy cuts, and lean into classic silhouettes. Oh, and steam everything. Wrinkles kill the vibe instantly.
Why is styling more important than just decorating?
Decorating is about filling space. Styling is about telling a story with what’s in it. You can buy all the trendy home decor on the planet, but if you don’t know how to layer, group, or scale it, it’ll always fall flat. Styling is the polish, the punctuation. It’s what separates a house from a home that looks curated, not chaotic.
What are some common mistakes people make when trying to look chic on a budget?
Impulse buying because it’s cheap (guilty).
Copying trends without adapting them to your actual lifestyle.
Mixing too many styles without a clear vibe.
Overdecorating, less is often more.
Ignoring proportion in furniture or outfits (this one is huge).
Taste is about being intentional and knowing when to say no more than when to say yes.
How do I build a capsule wardrobe when I can’t afford designer clothes?
Start with the classics: a well-fitted blazer, crisp white tee, flattering jeans, and neutral shoes. Go for quality over quantity, even if it’s secondhand. Stick to a color palette that flatters you and makes mixing easy. Then, slowly add trendier pieces that still feel timeless. A capsule closet isn’t about having less. It’s about having what’s right.
Can you really develop good taste if you weren’t born with it?
Absolutely. Taste isn’t in your DNA, it’s in your choices. Anyone can learn to see what works, what doesn’t, and what feels aligned. Pay attention to what catches your eye and why. Curate your inputs, follow people with style you admire, study good design, and keep refining. Taste is learned, and it evolves with you.
What should I never buy even if it’s a “deal”?
Skip anything that:
Feels flimsy or plasticky
Looks like it’s trying too hard to be trendy
Doesn’t fit your space or body well
Has bad reviews (check them always!)
Isn’t returnable (major red flag)
Good taste is knowing that sometimes not buying is the chicest thing you can do.
So, you don’t need a trust fund to have taste. You need to trust your eye, practice your style muscle, and be picky about what makes the cut. Start small, think big, and watch your vibe grow. Own it.
Your Turn!
What’s your best budget taste tip? What’s something cheap that makes you feel rich? Tell me in the comments, I want all the secrets. And if you liked this post, you’ll love our free monthly newsletter: A fresh take on living well, looking good, and loving life. Sign up here!
Love you, mean it.
xoxo,
Kacie
