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Starting from scratch in your living room? Or does it just need a quick update? These affordable living room decorating tips will help you freshen up your space while staying on a budget.
Inexpensive Living Room Decorating Ideas
Before we start talking about budget renovations, let’s talk to those of you who don’t have the money to renovate your living room right now. Unless you’re starting completely from scratch, there are ways to spruce up your living room without spending a dime.
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Then I’ll share some easy ways to update your living room that cost only a minimal amount of money. This is ideal if you are working with a fixed spending limit!
The easiest, budget-friendly way to change the look of your living room is to purchase existing items that you already have in your home.
Take a decorative pillow from one room and replace it with a pillow that’s already on your couch. Or replace the carpet from the bedroom and move it into the living room. These simple changes can completely change the look of your room with minimal effort and zero budget.
Making your own artwork is not only a great way to get creative, but it can also be inexpensive.
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A lot of the artwork in my first house was my own work. Once you start thinking outside the box and using materials you don’t normally use in art, you’ll be amazed at what you come up with.
For example, a frame for a postcard, scraps of old wallpaper or beautiful wrapping paper. Hanging a basket or napkin on the wall as art is also a great idea. Or use free printables available online and frame them.
Before buying anything new, try rearranging your existing main furniture to give it a new look. By rearranging existing pieces of furniture, you can liven up your living room almost instantly.
Rearrange your couch, move your chair to a different location, or move your coffee table to a different angle for a fresher look.
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A very cost-effective way to decorate your living room on a budget is to give it a thorough cleaning. Taking a little time to put things back where they belong or do a deep clean can make all the difference.
Carpets become almost unrecognizable over time, but with a good steam cleaner, you can breathe new life into them for little money. For example, Lowe’s offers a 24-hour steam cleaner rental for $29.99.
Wiping down walls and washing dirty windows can also help. Remember…a little elbow grease costs nothing but time and commitment.
If you don’t have a lot of money to invest in your living room but need to stick to a tight budget, the ideas below are sure to help… 5. Invest in slipcovers.
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If you need a new couch but can’t afford it right now, your best bet is to get slipcovers. They are available in a variety of colors and materials, which is much more affordable than buying brand new furniture.
Throw pillows are my favorite way to instantly change the look of a room. By changing patterns, using different textures and adding modern colors, you can create a completely new atmosphere in the living room of your home.
If you’re short on storage space, pillowcases can be a great way to change up your pillow style often. They take up minimal storage space and are available at low prices.
Whether real or fake, plants are a great way to add color and life to your living room. I like to add different heights, textures and colors.
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This principle definitely works for anything you’re going to add to your living room, and it’s great design advice.
A fig leaf or olive tree in the corner of the room adds height, and something spiky like a spider plant on the coffee table adds interest. If you’re short on floor or table space, consider adding greenery to the walls or hanging from the ceiling.
The easiest way to stretch your budget and add a wow factor to your living room is with a new coat of paint. The right paint color for your living room can completely transform your room for around $60. Choose a bright color palette to create an accent wall, or simply refresh the room with a soft gray color.
Of all the changes you can make to your living room, perhaps the most dramatic is painting the walls. Whether you’re using lighter, darker colors or just want a fresh coat of paint to clean up the space, a few gallons of paint will be the best use of your budget.
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I’m always amazed at the power of paint to transform a living room from dull and drab to bright and beautiful, and in just a few hours of your time!
Painting a few pieces of furniture with a pint of high-quality furniture paint, like Benjamin Moore’s flagship line, goes a long way. Use it to paint end tables and coffee tables for a fresh, modern look.
You can often find free or very cheap furniture on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and at sales or flea markets. This is an ideal option for painting!
Old thrift store furniture can be given new life with a little oiling. Consider completely painting the coffee table or removing the existing finish for a raw wood finish for a nice modern look.
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My friend Amy at Coastal Oak does a wonderful job of giving new life to salvaged items. You’d never know this piece was originally ugly because it looks so gorgeous when she’s finished it.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on table lamps to get an expensive look. Shop for lamps in great condition at thrift stores or find lamps in your home that need updating.
Especially if you’re working in a small space, upgrading your lighting is a great way to transform a room without taking up tons of extra square footage. Don’t worry about the color or shade of the lamp. The new shades are available and you can pick them up at Home Goods or Target.
Pick up a five dollar can of spray paint at your local hardware store to give your lamp stand a new look. Top it off by attaching the updated headlight covers and you’ve got an unrecognizable new part in no time.
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Look on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for homeowners to sell rugs. This is a great place to find beautiful, lightly used rugs.
Alternatively, you can purchase brand new ones from online stores like Rugs USA, which regularly have great sales where you can get great rugs at affordable prices.
Adding a rug to your living room will instantly add comfort, warmth and texture to the space. The color you choose should match the decorative pillows and other decorative elements in the room.
If you’re new to decorating and still unsure of your decorating style, choose a neutral rug that will work with any color scheme you have for years to come.
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Give your fireplace some attention to instantly liven up your living room. You can do this by enclosing a fireplace or painting a brick fireplace. Also, just cleaning up and adding a little embellishment will go a long way as well.
Clean up the space around the fireplace and, if necessary, move any decorations that sit on top of the fireplace. If you’re not sure what looks best, try placing just one or two decorations, like a couple of large floor lamps or a few storage baskets.
There may not be much you can do right now, but there is one thing you can do to rejuvenate your living room! A great way to add a focal point is to choose pieces like a fun accent wall, feature walls, a gallery wall, or unique furniture.
Even if you can’t afford a new couch or other major furniture, creating a focal point around a coffee table can be a more budget-friendly option. There are tons of coffee table ideas to inspire you!
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I love how Angela turned this plain wall into a beautiful accent wall using stunning floral wallpaper. She shows that you don’t have to be a professional interior designer to create the perfect home!
Keep checking thrift stores, Marketplace, and Craigslist for living room mirrors. Once you find it, it will either be perfect as it is, or it will need a little cleaning. Either way, if you’ve been waiting for one at a reasonable price, it’s worth checking out.
Julie from Redhead Can Decorate found this mirror at a thrift store. It found the perfect home on her mantelpiece! Mirrors tend to bring in more natural light and