Is your living room in dire need of a revamp? If the space feels cluttered, dull, or if it no longer supports your daily routine, consider restyling your living room to give it a brand new look. Doing so not only updates your interiors, but it also creates a more comfortable space for relaxation or hosting. Before buying a single tin of paint though, you’ll need to figure out your design goals for the space since this will dictate your redesign budget. It is estimated that a basic living room refresh, which involves painting, new furniture, and decor will cost anywhere from £1,500 to £5,000. Meanwhile, a mid-range renovation may cost you up to £15,000 since this might include installing new flooring, custom storage, and upgrading the lighting system, among others.
If you’re on a tight budget and new furniture is not in the cards, don’t fret. There are ways to give your living room a new look without spending a single pound. With a little creativity, you can liven up a tired space and make it more attractive and inviting. For a zero-pound home makeover, here’s how to refresh your living room with things you already own.
Start with a Clean Slate
Doing a DIY redesign can be challenging if your living room is overrun with toys or crammed with too many items. To get a general idea of the space’s potential, you will need to start with a clean slate. First, declutter ruthlessly and pack away any items that you no longer use or love. Next, remove all art, books, and decorative items from surfaces and place them in another room. Once everything’s out of the way, start wiping surfaces clean, vacuum the floor and rugs, and check all remaining furniture for signs of damage or wear and tear.
To give your living room a new feel, rethink the layout and move your furniture around. Try pulling the main sofa a few inches or feet away from the wall to improve the room’s flow. You can also angle the rug by placing it diagonally at a 45-degree angle to the walls to create a focal point, then keep the front legs of the main sofa and chairs on the rug to ground the seating area.
If this styling strategy doesn’t feel right, consider moving your sofa so that it faces a new direction, or centre it around a new anchor, like the fireplace or a window. You can also arrange sofas and chairs in such a way that they face each other to create a cosy conversation area.
Shop Your House
There’s no need to head out to the store if you need to find something to give your living room a lift. Simply shop your house for items and see if they’ll enhance the space. Borrow lampshades, side tables, or accent chairs from other parts of your home for an instant living room refresh. Got some decorative prints or posters hidden away in a drawer? Take them out and display them in poster-size frames. Also, source other rooms for decorative baskets, mirrors, a vintage trunk, or an ottoman, then get a few pillows and throw blankets from bedrooms. Don’t forget to look inside cabinets for decorative bowls, vases, or trays.
Bring all your finds to your living room so you can see if they’ll work with your new setup. To avoid a chaotic-looking design, group your gathered decorative items into a cohesive colour palette with three to four colours. Next, remove extra clutter so that newly placed items have room to stand out. Place framed prints on shelves, or make a gallery wall to add interest to the room. You can also add a large mirror or a painting to a blank wall. Swap out your old coffee table for a vintage trunk or a large ottoman, then place a tray on top of it. Finish by placing pillows and throw blankets on the sofa, then take pictures of your living room to see if everything works well together.
Add Greenery
Your outdoor space or garden can be a good place to shop for green decor. Consider bringing a few potted plants indoors, but check first to see if they can survive the move since some plants do better in full sun. Plants that can successfully transition indoors include snake plants, ZZ plants, and cast iron plants. Alternatively, you can clip flowers or branches from your yard, then display your clippings in tall vases.
Refresh your living spaces without spending a single pound. Try these tips for a free living room makeover. Don’t hesitate to add or replace furniture and decorative items as needed to create a comfy, cosy, and inviting space.
