If you’re looking around your living room and wondering how all the life has escaped it, perhaps it’s time for an update. But don’t think that upgrading the look of your space means going into debt. With a few simple touches and additions, you can reinvigorate the fanciest room in your house. Here’s how to bring a new look to your living room without hurting your wallet.
The Power of Decluttering
One of the primary rules of redecorating, if not life, is that less is more. Before you start making any major changes, and especially before you start adding pieces, ask yourself what can go. By simply cleaning up a space and removing all the visual “noise,” you can create a place that feel airy, light, and expansive. Take stock of your belongings and determine if they’re serving a purpose or just taking up space. If you can’t stand to get rid of something or it serves a function but takes up room in the meantime, store it elsewhere or invest in furniture that allows you to keep it close but out of sight. Half your job will be done when you declutter.
Selective Painting
Naturally, a new coat of paint can bring color and brightness to any room, but maybe you aren’t ready to invest in a major paint job just yet. That’s all right. Sometimes you can paint a single wall a different color to add some visual excitement and whimsy to your living room. The professional term for this is an accent wall. Done properly, it can make a room seem larger or more exciting. The unexpected nature of accent walls also adds some zest to a lifeless space and gives you the chance to enjoy different colors without letting one overwhelm the place.
Revamp, Don’t Replace
Sometimes furniture has seen its day, and you’ll need to find a new centerpiece or sidepiece for the living room. But before you splurge, consider whether you can give your old furniture a makeover. You don’t need to be an expert to sand and refinish or repaint an old piece, or to reupholster a couch or chair. Often a new slipcover can make all the difference. One of the easiest ways to change the look of your living room is to move stuff around. Rearrange the furniture and see if you can create a looser and airier ambiance in your living room—and it won’t cost you a dime!
Light Up Your Life
Here’s another way how to bring a new look to your living room: assess whether the lighting is doing its job. Are you making the best use of natural light? Throw open the drapes or consider investing in lighter and gauzier drapery to let more sunlight in. Consider raising the bar by moving the curtain rod up a notch to provide a wider feeling to the place. Adding floor lamps to each corner can disperse as little or as much light as you prefer. Mix it up!
