14 Inexpensive Ideas To Update Your Living Room

Discover 14 transformative, inexpensive living room ideas. Enjoy easy decorating tips and plenty of interior design inspiration to refresh your space.

Is your living room in need of a refresh? If it’s been a few years since you last updated your space, you might be feeling the urge for a change. The good news is that you can achieve a fresh, stylish look without a complete overhaul.

Instead of replacing everything to keep up with shifting decorating trends or when we grow weary with our current decor, let’s focus on strategic updates. These improvements will breathe new life into your living room, making it feel updated and attractive without breaking the bank!

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Here are 14 budget-friendly living room ideas to update your space almost effortlessly!

Get Rid Of All Clutter

Let’s talk about two kinds of clutter.

Messy Environment Clutter

A living room earns its name because it’s a space where we live, relax, and entertain, and living can naturally lead to messiness. One of the most effective and budget-friendly ways to update your living room is by clearing out the clutter to create a neat and tidy environment.

Given that our living rooms are hubs of activity, it’s no surprise they can quickly become cluttered. Family members, guests, and even pets all contribute to the potential for mess. However, maintaining a clutter-free space is entirely within reach, and it doesn’t cost a thing!

To keep the clutter bug at bay, make it a nightly routine to tidy up your living room before heading to bed. Spend a few minutes throwing away trash, reorganizing items that have migrated out of place, folding blankets, and fluffing up the pillows. This simple habit can make a significant difference so your living room remains a welcoming and organized space.

By incorporating this daily tidying routine, you’ll prevent clutter from taking over and keep your living room looking neat and inviting. It’s a small effort with big rewards, allowing you to enjoy a lovely and clutter-free living space every day.

You can find this tip and other tried and true things to do before you hit the bed each night here, Smart Things To Do Before You Go To Bed.

A Second Kind Of Clutter

Did you know that most home decorators overdecorate? Are you susceptible to this kind of decor clutter?

How can we update our living rooms when they are too full of stuff?

Updating our living rooms can be challenging when they are filled with too much stuff. Overdecorating is a common issue that many decorators overlook. An excess of furniture, accent pieces, and layers can overwhelm a space, making it feel cluttered and chaotic. The good news is that it costs nothing to remove a few items and adopt a less is more attitude. This simple change can significantly update and improve the look of your room!

One of the main culprits of overdecorating is excessive layering. If you’re prone to overdecorating, you should definitely check out the article on How to Layer Decor in a Room. It provides valuable insights and tips on how to achieve a balanced and stylish look without overdoing it.

Additionally, the post The Overdecorating Dilemma offers a deep dive into why we tend to overdecorate and provides practical tips on how to avoid overcrowding your space with too many items.

Take a critical look at your living room and try removing a few pieces. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. A more streamlined and organized room not only looks better but also feels more comfortable and inviting. By eliminating overdecorating clutter, you can create a refreshed and updated living room with little effort and money.

Rearrange The Furniture

Rearranging furniture is like playing musical chairs, and it’s a fabulous and inexpensive way to update your living room!

Swapping Pieces Between Rooms

I’m always thinking of new ways to create fresh looks in our rooms. Swapping a piece of furniture from one room to another is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to decorate. For instance, I often bring a piece of furniture, a rug, a table lamp, or even bookshelves up from the basement to give them a turn in the living room. Even in a small space like ours, changing some of the furniture is not hard and can make a big impact.

Focus on Accent Decor

If the layout of your room doesn’t allow for changing large furnishings, then focus on the accent decor instead. Small changes can still make a big difference! Here’s a list of my favorite furniture and accent pieces to swap and rearrange:

• Cushions and pillows
• Artwork (big or small)
• Picture frames
• A side table
• Throw pillows
• Curtains
• An accent chair or armchair
• A small bookshelf
• Floor lamp
• Free-standing shelves
• Small Console tables
• Bench
• Stools
• Drink Tables
• Baskets
• Bowls
• Trays
• Faux flowers

Creating a Cohesive Look

I aim for our home to have a casual, easy-going elegance—a blend of Pottery Barn, Ballard Design, and Birch Lane. My goal is to infuse our rooms with lots of my personality, reflecting the warmth and welcoming feel of Pottery Barn, the beauty and timelessness of Ballard Design, and the comfort and unique pieces from Birch Lane. This results in a true mash-up of Transitional styling! (You might like to see Transitional Style, which might be your style, too.)

Everything I buy has to fit within my neutral color palette, which includes lots of textures. One of the best interior design secrets that make moving furniture and decor from one room to another effortless is a consistent color palette. Filtering everything in your living room through this palette makes swapping out furniture and accents so much easier. See Mastering The Art Of Choosing The Perfect Color Palette.

What I Rearranged in the Living Room

In our small living room, I usually don’t rearrange the foundational furnishings like the couch, chairs, buffet, or chest because their current positions make the most sense for the space. However, I did move some accent pieces to create a new look. By keeping the main furniture in place and simply updating the smaller items, I was able to refresh the room without a complete overhaul.

Playing musical chairs with your furniture and decor can be a fun and budget-friendly way to breathe new life into your living room. Just remember to keep everything cohesive with your color palette, and you’ll find that rearranging pieces is a simple yet effective way to update your space.

Hang New Artwork Or A Mirror

Updating your living room can be as simple as hanging new artwork or a tasteful mirror. These items can dramatically change the look, feel, and style of your space.

Adding Artwork for Impact

Introducing new artwork is a fantastic way to refresh your living room. Consider creating a gallery wall or displaying a single, bold piece of art. For example, last year, we bought a new piece of art to hang over our fireplace, and it transformed the whole room.

Here are some types of artwork to consider:

• Architectural Pieces: Add character and depth.
• Baskets: Introduce texture and a natural element.
• Framed Wallpaper or Upholstery Panels: Unique and customizable.
• Picture Galleries: Personalize your space with family photos or favorite prints.
• Object Galleries: Hang decorative objects to create an eclectic display.
• Pretty Storage Boxes: Update shelves with attractive storage solutions.
• Leaning Art: Prop artwork against walls or on furniture for a layered look.

The Magic of Mirrors

Mirrors are another powerful tool for updating a living room.

When choosing a mirror, consider its size, shape, and frame so it complements your decor. Placement is crucial—position your mirror to reflect something beautiful in the room, such as a piece of art, a window with a view, or an attractive piece of furniture. Avoid placing mirrors where they will reflect the ceiling, as this doesn’t enhance the room’s aesthetics.

Reflecting Beauty and Light

Mirrors can transform a space by adding:

• Sparkle: Enhances the room’s brightness and liveliness.
• Shape: Introduces interesting geometric elements.
• Life: Reflects activity and movement within the room.
• Texture: Adds visual interest through different frames and finishes.

Make sure to find a place for a mirror in your living room to maximize its potential for updating your space.

By thoughtfully incorporating new art and mirrors, you can effortlessly refresh your living room’s look and feel.

Amp Up Your Color Palette

Adding new colors or tweaking your color palette is a fun and impactful way to update your living room.

The Power of Color

We often think about adding or editing physical items to update our living rooms, but working with colors can make an equally significant difference. Color is not just about aesthetics; it plays an important psychological role in the way we decorate and feel in our homes.

Different colors can evoke various emotions, making us feel happy, calm, excited, or even moody. The key to choosing a color palette for your living room is to decide how you want the room to feel. Do you want it to be a serene retreat or a fun gathering space? Select colors that align with the desired mood.

Tweaking Your Existing Palette

You don’t always need to create a completely new color palette to update your living room. Small adjustments can have a big impact. For instance, I recently added touches of black and caramel to my light, neutral living room. I aimed to ground the space and give it a richer feel without losing the light and airy look I love.

My home’s color palette includes these shades plus white and a hint of black. This neutral palette allows me to play with different tints and tones to add interest to any room. In the living room, I changed the color palette ratios slightly.

Creating a Balanced Look

By adjusting the ratios of the existing color palette, I achieved a fresh look while maintaining a cohesive and balanced design. This approach shows that you can make significant changes without completely overhauling your color scheme.

For those looking to add a pop of color, consider introducing bold hues through accent pieces like throw pillows, rugs, or artwork. This can instantly update your living room’s look and feel, adding a big dose of personality to the space.

By thoughtfully tweaking your color palette and incorporating new shades, you can refresh your living room and create an environment that reflects your desired mood and style.

Mastering the Art of Choosing the Perfect Color Palette is a must-read for anyone interested in selecting the ideal colors for their home.

The Power Of Pillows And Decorative Throws

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to update your living room is by adding new pillows and decorative throws. These simple changes can make a big impact, transforming the look and feel of your space with minimal effort and cost.

The Power of Pillows

Pillows are versatile and affordable, decorating gold! They can instantly refresh your living room. Pillows come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, making it easy to find options that you love and work with your style and current decor. Whether you opt for bold, splashy colors or subtle, neutral tones, new pillows can breathe new life into your space.

Consider mixing and matching different sizes and shapes to add depth and interest to your seating area. Don’t be afraid to experiment with patterns, from classic stripes and plaids to trendy geometrics and florals. The key is to choose pillows that complement your existing color palette while adding a touch of personality.

Cozy Up with Throws

Decorative throws are another excellent way to update your living room. Like pillows, throws come in various colors, patterns, and materials, allowing you to customize a throw for your space and the season at hand. Drape a cozy throw over the back of your sofa, an armchair, or even a bench to add warmth and texture.

Throws not only enhance the cozy appeal of your living room but also provide a nice layer of warmth when you want to cuddle up and read or fend off a draft. They offer extra comfort for lounging and can be easily swapped out to reflect the changing seasons or your evolving style. For instance, lightweight cotton or linen throws are perfect for spring and summer, while heavier wool or faux fur throws are ideal for fall and winter.

A Cost-Effective Update

Investing in new pillows and throws is a cost-effective way to update your living room. Better yet, work on building a pillow collection. Unlike larger furniture pieces, these items are relatively inexpensive and can be changed frequently to keep your decor fresh and current. This flexibility allows you to experiment with new trends and styles without a big $$$ commitment.

By simply adding a few new pillows and decorative throws, you can instantly change your living room’s look and feel. These small updates can make a big difference, providing a fresh and inviting space that reflects your personal style.

More Ideas To Update Your Living

• Update Your Coffee Table: Refreshing your coffee table decor is an easy way to update your living room. Add a stylish tray, a stack of books, a vase with fresh flowers, or a few decorative objects to create a new focal point.
• Add Seasonal Decor: Changing your decor with the seasons is a fun and inexpensive way to keep your living room feeling fresh. Use seasonal items like pumpkins in the fall, evergreen branches in the winter, and fresh flowers in the spring and summer.
• Add Lighting: Lighting plays a big role in a room’s ambiance. Consider adding a new floor lamp, table lamp, or sconces to brighten up your space and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
• Incorporate Greenery: Plants can add life and color to your living room. Choose a variety of indoor plants that suit your space and lighting conditions. Even a small potted plant or a vase of fresh flowers can make a big difference.
• Change Out Rugs: Swapping out your current rug for a new one can dramatically change the look of your living room. Choose a rug that complements your color palette and adds texture and warmth to the space.
• Repaint or Refresh Furniture: A fresh coat of paint on an old piece of furniture can give it a new lease on life. Consider repainting a side table, bookshelf, or even your coffee table to add a pop of color and update your room.
• Update Hardware: Changing the hardware on your furniture, such as drawer pulls and cabinet handles, is a simple and affordable way to refresh your living room.
• Use Decorative Storage: Incorporate attractive storage solutions like baskets, bins, or decorative boxes to keep your living room organized and stylish. These items can help hide clutter while adding a decorative element to the room.
• Display Personal Items: Highlighting personal items like family photos, travel souvenirs, or handmade crafts can add a unique and personal touch to your living room. Rotate these items periodically to keep it interesting.

Updating your living room is about creating a space that reflects your personal style and makes you feel comfortable and happy. With these savvy and inexpensive ideas, you can update your living room into a comfortable, attractive space without a huge investment.

From clearing clutter and rearranging furniture to adding new pillows, throws, and art, small changes can have a big impact. Remember, updating your living room doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. By focusing on thoughtful, smart improvements, you can enjoy a beautiful, updated space that you and your family will love.

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Happy Decorating, Friends!