Transform Your Living Room on a Budget
If your living room is looking lacklustre, consider these ideas to transform it on a budget
Amanda Pollard
26 January 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Sometimes it really is the little things that count most when you want to rev up a room – a new artwork, a statement floor lamp, you get the picture. Want in on the action? Here are some more tips to give your living space a purse-friendly new look.
1. Sort some soft furnishings
You can completely update a room just by adding a few carefully chosen cushions, throws and pouffes – or even a budget-friendly rug. The living room here is very simple and minimal with a grey sofa and white walls, but the textiles transform it into an inviting, contemporary space.
You can completely update a room just by adding a few carefully chosen cushions, throws and pouffes – or even a budget-friendly rug. The living room here is very simple and minimal with a grey sofa and white walls, but the textiles transform it into an inviting, contemporary space.
2. Pop up a picture ledge
If you want to be able to update your artwork frequently, a picture ledge is a great living room addition. These simple, narrow shelves are relatively cheap to purchase and can be put up easily. Once your shelf is in place, you can swap pictures and photos as often as you like to completely change the look of the room. The artwork here, for example, emphasises the monochrome scheme of the room, but for a quick update the owners could add brighter designs to give the room an eclectic feel.
Learn how to display your favourite family pictures
If you want to be able to update your artwork frequently, a picture ledge is a great living room addition. These simple, narrow shelves are relatively cheap to purchase and can be put up easily. Once your shelf is in place, you can swap pictures and photos as often as you like to completely change the look of the room. The artwork here, for example, emphasises the monochrome scheme of the room, but for a quick update the owners could add brighter designs to give the room an eclectic feel.
Learn how to display your favourite family pictures
3. Curate a collection
Don’t underestimate the power of a vignette when it comes to transforming your living room. Collect objects and artwork from charity shops and flea markets, then arrange them together in an area of the room. This beautifully styled alcove, with its interesting ornaments and paintings, gives the room character.
Don’t underestimate the power of a vignette when it comes to transforming your living room. Collect objects and artwork from charity shops and flea markets, then arrange them together in an area of the room. This beautifully styled alcove, with its interesting ornaments and paintings, gives the room character.
4. Paper a wall
Fancy a dramatic transformation? You don’t need to decorate the whole room – focus on one wall instead. Choose a bold wallpaper design and you’ll see how a little goes a long way. The wallpaper here, for example, has provided a striking feature in this period living room and given it a whole different look than if the wall had been left plain.
Fancy a dramatic transformation? You don’t need to decorate the whole room – focus on one wall instead. Choose a bold wallpaper design and you’ll see how a little goes a long way. The wallpaper here, for example, has provided a striking feature in this period living room and given it a whole different look than if the wall had been left plain.
5. Install your own alcove shelving
Bespoke shelving is lovely, but doesn’t work with everyone’s budget. It’s easy to put up your own shelves, but rather than make them look like custom-made joinery, highlight the difference instead. These shelves have metal hinges and brackets on them for an unexpected twist on the classic alcove shelving. The vintage table below adds an interesting contrast between old and new, as does the ornate armchair.
Here’s why modular shelves are a dream come true
Bespoke shelving is lovely, but doesn’t work with everyone’s budget. It’s easy to put up your own shelves, but rather than make them look like custom-made joinery, highlight the difference instead. These shelves have metal hinges and brackets on them for an unexpected twist on the classic alcove shelving. The vintage table below adds an interesting contrast between old and new, as does the ornate armchair.
Here’s why modular shelves are a dream come true
6. Paint some furniture
In this living space, the painted armchair steals the show. It’s easy to add colour to an old piece of furniture, and the result can be quite dramatic. Find a chest of drawers, a chair or a sidetable and choose a colour that stands out, but also ties in with the rest of the scheme. The bright yellow here contrasts beautifully with the grey, but complements the gold tones of the painting above it.
Make your old furniture look new
In this living space, the painted armchair steals the show. It’s easy to add colour to an old piece of furniture, and the result can be quite dramatic. Find a chest of drawers, a chair or a sidetable and choose a colour that stands out, but also ties in with the rest of the scheme. The bright yellow here contrasts beautifully with the grey, but complements the gold tones of the painting above it.
Make your old furniture look new
7. Spruce up the cupboards
Remember to consider the look of any fitted cupboards when you’re updating your living space. Choose the right shade, and they can work as a feature in the room. This home has its living space next to the under-stairs cupboards, so the designer has incorporated them into the decorating scheme with a lick of paint and turned them into an important design element of the room.
Remember to consider the look of any fitted cupboards when you’re updating your living space. Choose the right shade, and they can work as a feature in the room. This home has its living space next to the under-stairs cupboards, so the designer has incorporated them into the decorating scheme with a lick of paint and turned them into an important design element of the room.
8. Add an extra chair (or two)
If your living room is feeling a little sparse, one way to give it more style (and comfort) is with seating. You can do this expensively with sofas and armchairs, of course, but if your budget is tight consider popping some occasional chairs around the room instead. You can pick up chairs full of personality at flea markets, and if you combine them with floor cushions you’ll be able to create a relaxed, welcoming space without splashing out.
Read more:
9 Ways to Play With Contrast in Your Living Room
Tell us:
What do you think of these purse-friendly decorating ideas? Have you transformed your space on a budget? Share your thoughts/pictures in the Comments below.
If your living room is feeling a little sparse, one way to give it more style (and comfort) is with seating. You can do this expensively with sofas and armchairs, of course, but if your budget is tight consider popping some occasional chairs around the room instead. You can pick up chairs full of personality at flea markets, and if you combine them with floor cushions you’ll be able to create a relaxed, welcoming space without splashing out.
Read more:
9 Ways to Play With Contrast in Your Living Room
Tell us:
What do you think of these purse-friendly decorating ideas? Have you transformed your space on a budget? Share your thoughts/pictures in the Comments below.
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You make an excellent point about the picture ledge being versatile. This is a fuss-free way of changing your pictures and photos around. I love the idea of doing this seasonally, having beautiful coastal views in the summer and warm, rich autumnal tones when the nights start drawing in -Alice
I like the picture ledge. These days too many photos end up in disorganised filders on hard drives.