
Of all the rooms in our homes, the living room is where we often spend the most time. It's where we host guests, spend quality time with our families, and relax after a long day away from the house.
Because we spend so much of our free time in this room, shouldn't it look and function the best it can? If home updates have been on your mind lately, you've come to the right place.
Listed below are living room upgrades that are both simple and inexpensive. You can change the look and feel of your living space entirely in just a weekend! Read on to learn everything you need to know.
1. Give the Walls a Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the most inexpensive and yet most effective home improvement projects you can tackle is painting the walls. If you like the color but notice many scuff marks and wear and tear, you can repaint the room the same color.
That said, if builder beige or grey isn't doing it for you, don't be afraid to add some personality to your space! Consider creating an accent wall by painting one wall of the room a vibrant color or hanging a fun wallpaper.
2. Replace Your Throw Pillows
Your couch is no doubt among the most expensive pieces in your living room. Luckily, you don't have to replace the entire couch to change the way it looks in the space. You might be surprised how much of a difference new throw pillows can make.
Throw pillows are a great way to experiment with new looks without investing much time or money. Try out different sizes, colors, and textures - it's okay if you use four throw pillows and none of them match!
3. Get New Lampshades
In the same vein as throw pillows, rather than replacing your lamps, try giving them a fresh look with new lampshades. No matter your style, you can find beautiful lampshades in antique stores, secondhand shops, or online. You can even take a chance on DIY and update your existing lampshades yourself.
Again, get as creative as you want with colors, shapes, and textures. Your living room should be a reflection of you! Who cares if your choices aren't in vogue.
4. Add an Area Rug
If you have hard floors, such as this type of flooring, adding an area rug is the perfect way to give your living room personality while protecting your flooring.
Now, when it comes to area rugs, bigger is always better. It might seem counterintuitive, but a smaller rug can actually make the room feel smaller, not larger. If it isn't wall-to-wall, your area rug should at least be large enough so that the front feet of each piece of furniture can rest on it.
5. Rearrange the Furniture
Is your living room furniture arranged in a way that both encourages conversation and allows for easy movement through space? If not, it's a good idea to rearrange the furniture.
The best part about this project is that it requires no new pieces. You can make your living room feel brand new simply by moving things around.
When arranging your furniture, the two main things to consider are visual weight and conversation. An easy way to check both boxes is by arranging your furniture in either an H or U shape.
6. Bring in Additional Storage Space
Nothing ruins the aesthetic of a room like clutter. That's why one of the best home investments you can make is in additional storage space.
When you begin your living room improvement project, decluttering should be the first step. Get rid of any trash and unnecessary items. Then, organize what's left into various shelves, drawers, and storage bins.
If you're feeling stuck, floating shelves, end tables, and stylish baskets are great organization options.
7. Give Your Coffee Table a Centerpiece
Though your main goal should be to create a clean, well-organized space, having "clutter" in the form of table decor is never a bad idea. Your coffee table is the center of your living room; give it the upgrade it deserves with a centerpiece.
The key here is not to get carried away. Your coffee table shouldn't be so full of items that it can no longer be used as a table.
Stick to a few meaningful items that fit the theme of the room. This can be a coffee table book, an arrangement of candles or flowers, or a small tray holding a keepsake or two.
8. Add Life With Houseplants
What better way to breathe new life into your space than by literally adding life to your living with houseplants?
Plants add style and beauty to any room, relieve anxiety, boost productivity, and improve air quality. And that's only a few of the benefits of houseplants!
You don't have to turn your living room into a jungle (unless that's the look you're going for) to reap the benefits. All you need are a few plants dispersed throughout the room, whether that be on tables, on the floor, or hanging from the ceiling or window.
Get More Out of Your Space With These Living Room Upgrades
From game nights with friends to family gatherings to watching a movie alone, your living room likely gets more attention than just about any other room in your home.
With these easy upgrades, you can make your living room an even more welcoming and enjoyable place to be.
Interested in learning more about home design and decor? Take a look at our blog!