Faking It: Faux Materials You Can Use To Bring Real Interest Written by Jaymi Naciri

As the Marvin Gaye song lyric goes, "Ain't nothing like the real thing, Baby." And while that might be a good motto to live by, when it comes to home trends and décor, today it's all about faux. You can have a great-looking place, even if it wasn't built that way, without incurring huge expenses. And because many of these items that stand in for the real stuff are DIY-friendly, they're even more attractive.

Electric fireplaces

Fireplaces can make a space feel cozy and comfortable, but not everyone was blessed with a built-in version. Thankfully, electric fireplaces are inexpensive, starting at just a couple of hundred dollars, and are easy to incorporate into your home.

"If you don't have a chimney or simply want to avoid the hassle of a wood-burning or gas fireplace, electric fireplaces provide an alternative to traditional systems," said the Topeka Capital-Journal. They are also super easy to install, as all they require is a power outlet and no chimney or venting. However, if you plan on setting it into a wall, you might need to hire outside help.

Make your fireplace pretty.

Once you install that fireplace, you may want to trim it out to make it look pretty. DIYers swear by Airstone veneers, which resemble stacked stone but are lightweight, durable, and easy to install.

Faux panels

If you want to redo an ample space, small products may not be the answer. These faux panels and sidings "are made of a high-density polyurethane" and are "molded from actual rock, stone, and brick, so they are lightweight, durable, realistic and easy to install," said FauxPanels.com. "Whether you are a homeowner or builder, you can install the panels yourself for a fraction of the cost and time." These panels can provide an easy update to the exterior of your home or transform an interior space that needs a little character. Their sister company also offers faux beams that can add interest to your ceiling without the high cost of real wood beams.

Peel-and-stick wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper has evolved from being a novelty to a legitimate interior design option, and not just for those who can't do (or can't stand) traditional wallpaper. For those of us who like to change our décor frequently (guilty!), temporary peel-and-stick wallpaper is a godsend.

Other peel-and-stick options

The idea of peel-and-stick is a DIYer's dream, and it goes beyond wallpaper. This peel-and-stick option gives you the look of real stone in an easy-to-apply, easy-to-manipulate, and easy-to-remove package that will look great on a backsplash. They are pricey, at about $23 each (which covers one square foot), so it's not exactly a budget-friendly answer. But if you want stone without the installation hassle, this could be for you.

Quartz countertops

Quartz is the single hottest countertop product on the market today, having surpassed granite. One of the reasons today's homeowners are choosing this direction is the ability to get the look of upscale, high-maintenance marble at a lower cost, without the fear of a stain or scratch that could ruin your expensive counters.

Marble backsplash

If you want to run marble up your walls to create a rich backsplash look, you could be talking about thousands of dollars. These peel-and-stick vinyl tiles are intended for floors, but at about a buck apiece, they are an affordable option for kitchen (and bathroom) walls, too.

Stencils

These stencils make it easy to create the look of Moroccan tile, shiplap, customized furniture, and even handmade-looking pillows. Create the impression of custom tile in your kitchen or on your floor (or both!) without the expense or hassle of remodeling.

These also come in a variety of sizes; this particular Santa Ana Tile Stencil is available in 6x6, 8x8, or 12x12 inches. You may also want to check out furniture stencils that can transform an old, ugly piece into something fantastic. This Indian Inlay Furniture Stencil piece looks…like it would take a ton of time, if we're being honest, because of the intricate pattern. But it's so amazing we might be willing to give it a try.