The living room is typically the most used room in a home. It is where families come together to watch TV, hang out, relax, work, and occasionally enjoy meals. While the room may be comfortable and familiar, it can start to feel dull and uninspiring, and in desperate need of an overhaul.

Whether you finally take the plunge with the rich wall paint color you have been eyeing for months, don your living room walls with art that speaks to your soul, or simply rearrange your furniture to transform your space and incorporate your brand new purchase from a Black Friday TV sale, upgrading your living room into the space of your dreams doesn’t need to be a daunting undertaking.
Update Lighting
Many people tend to underestimate the power of proper lighting in their home. It is the biggest factor influencing a room’s overall mood and function and is one of the easiest things to modify. While overhead lighting has its place and purpose, many people find its bright light too harsh for everyday living, opting for softer ambient light that creates a cozier, more inviting atmosphere.
This can be achieved through floor lamps, table lamps, wall sconces, and fairy lighting, which allow you to create layers of illumination and highlight specific areas or styling choices in the room. Regardless of the type of lighting you select, ensure your home is fitted with dimmer switches, giving you maximum control and versatility.
Inject Greenery
If your living room is screaming for some visual interest but the price of art is making your eyes water, consider adding houseplants to your space. Whether you choose a tall, glossy rubber plant, a delicately beautiful Parlor Palm, or a low-maintenance spider plant, houseplants add a magnificent styling detail that cannot be matched. For larger potted plants, choose a pot in a material and color that complements your design style, whether it is a simple, modern pot, woven basket, or a handmade ceramic piece.
Furthermore, greenery in your home is not just about looks. Many studies show the numerous health benefits of houseplants, including helping to clean indoor air, providing a fresh, relaxing natural scent, and lowering stress and anxiety levels.
Layer Rugs
Rugs are a fantastic way of making a living room feel more luxurious and cozy, but a sprawling wool rug will quickly make a significant dent in your wallet. An affordable solution is layering rugs; a clever, designer-approved trick that will elevate your space without the unwanted price tag.
Begin with a neutral, budget-friendly sisal rug as a solid foundation. On top, layer a statement rug, such as a textural sheepskin or a colorful Turkish kilim. The juxtaposition of the contrasting but complementary rugs will feel stylish, curated, and cozy without blowing your budget.
Rich Wall Colors

You have likely been told that selecting light, neutral tones like beige, cream, grey, or white will make your living room feel bigger and airier than ever before. While these colors do achieve this desired effect, they hardly hit new heights style-wise. Instead, step out of your comfort zone with dramatic results, opting for a more saturated color that will provide the ideal backdrop for wall art and furniture to really stand out.
If you are unsure what to pick, start with beautiful hues of blue and green. Unlike bolder shades like purple, orange, and red, these tones tend to feel more soothing and familiar, closely resembling the eye-catching colors found in nature. Additionally, they are much easier to incorporate into existing style themes.
Wall Art
Hanging eye-catching wall art is one of the best ways to completely transform the feel of your living room without making permanent changes. Statement artwork can act as the focal point of the room, add personality, and set the mood of the space with minimal effort.
Art is a brilliant way to reflect your personality and personal style, communicating who you are and what you love to surround yourself with. It also adds depth and interest to a room and is a fantastic conversation starter for your next dinner party or family gathering.
Rearrange Furniture
Rearranging your furniture may feel like a minor tweak, but this inexpensive trick can completely alter the feel and flow of your living room. Moving furniture pieces into a new layout can enhance movement and walking paths, open up much-needed space, and improve the flow and balance of the room.
Four helpful tips worth considering when rearranging your furniture include steering clear of placing furniture directly in front of doorways, pulling furniture away from the wall by a few inches to introduce a sense of opensess and air flow, ensuring there is adequate space to move from one piece to the other and across the room without feeling cramped or restricted, and using your sofa as the anchor of the room, positioning it to face a natural focal point like a fireplace, window or television.
Paint the Fireplace
If you have a fireplace in your living room, you know that they are meant to add a fantastic style element that cannot be achieved any other way. But utilitarian fireplaces, like simple brick, can become an eyesore that drags down the room’s overall style if they do not complement the desired finish.
The good news is that painting your fireplace is a quick, cost-effective way to instantly give it a new look that better suits the overall design choices you have made for your living room. Dark neutral tones like black and dark grey can brilliantly harmonize with tiled hearths. However, shades like white, sandy brown, or light grey are also wonderful options.
With these simple yet impactful changes, you can breathe new life into your living room without breaking the bank. Start with one or two updates that speak to you, and watch as your space transforms into the inviting, stylish retreat you’ve always envisioned.
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