How Betty White’s Home Inspires Design & Decor on a Budget [VIDEO]

MOBILE, Ala., Jan. 17, 2022 — In 2017, legendary actress and comedian Betty White gave a tour of her beloved house in Carmel, California. 

The 3,600-square-foot property — which White briefly shared with her husband, game show host Allen Ludden — had two bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, according to Realtor.com. 

The couple purchased the home in 1978 for $170,000, but now it’s now reportedly worth $2 million, according to the real estate authority’s website. 

Watch KineticTV’s house tour above, and read along for how to live large on an average homeowner’s budget. (The following photos aren’t from White’s home; they’re examples of how average homes can enjoy high-end style.) 

1. Simple Things Make Any Home Feel Spacious

During the house tour, Betty White opens her door to reveal her “crib” and we see an open layout bathed in sunlight streaming inside from large windows.   

Those windows make a spacious home feel even larger when the curtains are open, revealing a patio view. So do hardwood floors that reflect the sunlight, along with a space-saving built-in oven in the kitchen. 

You don’t need to be a celebrity to achieve such a warm, inviting look. Just open the curtains during the day and regularly maintain your wood floors to keep them clean and shiny. 

Try Rejuvenate Wood Floor Restorer and Rejuvenate Shine Refresher to get the look! (These are affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

And if a built-in oven’s not in your budget, just tidy up the kitchen and declutter to keep spaces clean and clear, and ensure the décor is intentional. 

Read, How to Declutter Your Home in Record Time and 3 Tips to Benefit from Natural Light in Your Home for more information.

2. House Plants Soften a Room’s Hard Features

During Betty White’s house tour, the camera passes through a sitting room and we see various house plants on end tables, in corners, and on the mantel. 

Growing houseplants adds living décor to any room — green leaves soften the room’s appearance and contrast well with hard features like drywall and wood trim. 

Placing houseplants throughout your home is also the easiest way to start gardening, even if you don’t think you have a green thumb. 

And there’s a bonus benefit for adding some green: certain tropical houseplants can remove and process harmful chemicals from your home’s indoor air. 

Read our Guides, 8 Tips for Choosing and Growing Houseplants and Best Houseplants to Improve Indoor Air Quality for more information. 

3. Oversized Décor Adds Instant Opulence 

While White passes through her kitchen, we see oversized rooster figurines flanking a bowl of flowers and an oversized yellow pitcher on the countertops. 

These strategically placed items look great for a reason: they add height, dimension and texture, not to mention a pop of color amid mostly earth tones. 

Oversized pendant lights have been trending for years, and you can add oversized décor for instant impact. 

In the case of the roosters and flowers, note that if you have two identical or similar items, you can balance them out with a third object. 

Design your kitchen with simplicity and strategy in mind so it looks intentional. 

These are our favorite takeaways from Betty White’s house tour. What are yours? Let us know in the comments!

Further Reading