We tend to spend a lot of thought and money updating our kitchens and bathrooms, but perhaps it’s time to give your living room a facelift. Here are five ways to elevate your Chicago living room to create a space you won’t want to leave.

Create an interesting wall of focus

Art is subjective and the pieces you find interesting not only say a lot about your personality, but also define your space as unique and eclectic. Adding art pieces, combined with decorative mirrors and floating shelves, can create an interesting and stylish focal point to your room. If you’re looking for a more traditional style to your living room, add built-in bookshelves to display your collection of books and your family photos, or install wainscoting with ornamental features.

Mix up the textures and fabrics

Purchasing new furniture isn’t always an option, but by adding different textiles, patterns, and fabrics you can change up your current furnishings in minutes. Throws, pillows, and area rugs add a feeling of warmth and design to your space and are also functional for comfort. It’s not necessary that everything match, so mix up your colors and textures with complimentary colors. If you have the budget for an additional piece of furniture, add an armchair that stands out as a signature piece.

Add some color

The quickest way to give a room a makeover is to paint the walls or add wallpaper. Choosing your color palette may seem a bit overwhelming but when it comes down to it, choose a hue that makes you comfortable and happy. If you’re working with a smaller space, you may want to choose a lighter color to make the room appear larger, and if you’re going for a cozy feel, paint the walls with warmer, darker colors. Wallpaper can also make a great statement to any room, but if you’re drawn to busier patterns, you may want to just do one accent wall and find a complimentary paint color for the adjoining walls.

Lighting

Lighting sets the mood in any room. Consider changing out your existing lighting with something a bit more dramatic such as a chandelier or modern hanging light fixture. Wall sconces and lamps give off a warm glow and can accent certain areas that are more of a focal point. Layering your lighting at different levels of the room creates ambiance and different pockets of interest.

Add some window treatments

Adding or updating window treatments can be a quick way to breathe life into any space. There are several options to choose from depending on your taste and need for privacy. Whether you opt for blinds, curtains, shades, or a combination of the three, they need to be functional for your needs, and if natural light isn’t a concern, feel free to use heavier and more dramatic fabrics. Otherwise, choose a fabric that is lighter or sheer to allow the sunshine in.

Elevating your design in your living room doesn’t have to break the bank, but it should be a reflection of you and your personality. Have fun with it, be creative, and make a space personalized to you and your aesthetic. What have you done to update your current living area?