The living room is generally where we spend the most time with family, binge-watch Netflix, play board games, share a bottle of wine, or practice our yoga. Probably one of the most utilized rooms in the house, the living room should be inviting, comfortable, and cozy. Feeling like your living room needs a bit of a facelift but don’t want to break the bank? With these simple updates, your living space can feel like new.

Add Some Color

Painting the walls of a room gives it an instant makeover, as the room looks cleaner and brighter with a little effort and a bit of money. When choosing a paint color, think of how you would like the space to feel. Do you want it to feel bright and cheery, calm and serene, traditional and cozy? Are you leaning towards a traditional English study or a farmhouse feel?  Once you know the look you’re going for, choosing your wall treatment will be a breeze.  Farmhouse feel? Add some shiplap or create the look with a faux paint effect. Zen-like den?  Lean toward warm colors or colors of nature. Traditional study? You may want to look at the darker, richer hues. No matter the choice, the room will already have a whole new look.

Rearrange the Furniture

Tired of the same old look in your living room?  Rearranging the furniture is a quick way to make the room look entirely new. Consider pulling the couches and chairs away from the walls and  situating them in the center of the room. Creating a more intimate conversation area can give the room a more functional yet cozy feel. Explore the other rooms of the home and see if you have some pieces that may work better in the living room. Furniture can be multi-functional, so don’t limit pieces to certain areas based on the original intended function. For example, if you have a dresser that isn’t being utilized in a bedroom or attic, consider moving it to the living space. The drawers can be great storage for board or video games, and the top can be used as a bar, for books, or to display family photos.

Update the Artwork

Just as you did with the furniture, you may want to rethink how your art is displayed. You can rearrange the pieces that you have or add some new things to the mix. One great and timeless idea is to add a gallery wall of multiple framed items. You could do multi colored frames with all black and white images or a collection of silver frames with colorful pieces of art. The options for a gallery wall are endless. You don’t have to limit yourself to framed art either – fabric wall hangings are ideal for large walls, a collage of baskets or plates can be an interesting mix, or hanging old instruments such as a violin, trumpet, or guitar can add a bit of whimsy. Have fun with it.

Add Greenery

Adding houseplants to your space is a great way to bring a room to life, literally. Choose plants of varying heights and colors and group them together in an area that has some natural light.  Choose pots that compliment your decor. If you’re looking for a fresh farmhouse look, consider planting in an old milk can or antique milk crate. If you’re looking for a more natural look, use pots made of clay or cement. Feeling like adding some additional color as well? Paint your pots with bright and fun designs.

Add Architectural Details

Adding architectural details such as shelving, wainscoting, or molding elevates the design of the room and can be done relatively easily. Shelving can serve many functions such as storage, an area to display family photos or books, or even a bar or eating area. If you choose to add wainscoting and molding, it’s a good idea to paint them white, as not only to contrast the wall color and stand out but to also make the room look clean and fresh.

 

 

Updating your living room doesn’t have to break the bank – simply rearranging and repurposing can give your space the facelift it needs. Do you have any quick and easy renovation tips?