The living room is appropriately named — it’s where many of us gather to spend time with family, watch TV and movies, play board games, entertain guests, the list goes on. Along with the kitchen, it’s generally one of the most utilized rooms in the house. And it’s because we spend more time there, that we want it to feel as comfortable and inviting as possible. If you want to give your living room a makeover without breaking the bank, here are a few simple updates to consider:

Paint

It takes a little time and some attention to detail, but painting the walls of a room will give it an instant facelift. Before you decide on a paint color, think about how you want the room to feel. Do you want a traditional, cozy feel? Do you want it to feel bright and cheery? Once you know the look you’re going for, choosing your paint will be much easier.

Furniture

Replacing your living room furniture might not be in the budget, but simply rearranging it can breathe a surprising amount of new life into the room. Moving couches and chairs away from the walls and toward the center of the room helps create a more intimate conversation area, and will make the room feel more functional and cozy. Look around the rest of the house for furniture that may work better in the living room. If you begin to think about furniture outside of the context it was originally intended for, you may be surprised. For instance, maybe you have a dresser that isn’t being used in a bedroom, basement, or attic — consider moving it to the living room. The drawers offer storage for video game consoles, DVDs, or board games, and you can use the top to display books or photographs, or even set up a small bar for entertaining.

Artwork

Art can be rearranged (just like the furniture) to give the room a new look while only using the existing materials on hand. You can rearrange the pieces that are already in the room, go digging through the house for some replacements, or add one or two new things to the collection. A gallery wall always works with multiple framed items artfully arranged. Framed art is just one of many options; you can incorporate fabric wall hangings on large walls, a collage of baskets or plates, or hang some older instruments like a trumpet, violin, or guitar for a whimsical addition.

Plants

Plants add life to any room — literally. Group an assortment of plants together in an area full of natural light. Varying the colors and heights (both of the planters and the plants themselves) works very well aesthetically. If you’re going for a rustic look, consider planting in an old milk can or antique milk crate. If you want something that looks more natural, you can choose pots made of cement or clay. If you feel creative or want greater control over the color of your planters and pots, you can always paint them.

Texture

Textural elements, like throws, area rugs, and pillows, can make the room feel warmer and more comfortable while also providing color. Just make sure the prints compliment the sofa fabric as well as the walls. You don’t necessarily want to match any of those things exactly, add pieces that compliment the decor but also make the room more interesting.

These ideas will help make your living room feel sufficiently updated without breaking the bank, and can provide you with a fun project or two as well.

If you’d like to talk more about simple living room updates, or if there’s anything else we can be of assistance with, please get in touch. We’re always happy to help.