Renovating your living room on a tight budget is possible with these 8 design tips
A welcoming living room tailored to suit our needs is important to ensure we can enjoy this "refuge". But, often, but we don't have the budget to go beyond giving it a bland - if not cold - decor.
However, small changes can make a big difference: a simple change of colors, moving furniture around or putting up artwork can be enough to completely transform a living room into something much more welcoming and pleasant to spend time in.
If you want to renovate your living room on a limited budget, but don't know where to start, check out the following 8 design and decor tips:
1. Make space for light
Lighting is one of the fundamental aspects of a room and significantly impacts any room. Allow more natural light in and, if this isn't possible, use mirrors to "bounce" the light that is getting in; also, add light fittings to, for example, illuminate any artwork which you have put up on the walls.
2. Pay attention to the flooring
The floor is often "forgotten" in renovation projects, especially because it is believed it would be challenging and expensive to change the flooring. However, a worn-out floor could spoil a restoration project. Floor restoration jobs do not necessarily have to be expensive or difficult - especially if you have the requisite DIY skills.
But if you don't have the skills or the budget, you can opt for an alternative solution, which is much cheaper and easier to do: lay out carpets and/or rugs. A large rug can cover defects and have a fantastic impact.
3. A new layout
Find a focal point in the living room and structure the entire room around it. Usually, thsi focal point is the fireplace or the TV. In the first case, you can simply change the layout of the furniture; in the second, decide if the TV is really in the best place. Move around furniture, light fittings, artwork and paintings on the walls until you are satisfied with the new setup.
Sometimes, all you need to do is move sofa or an armchair or the TV cabinet to another wall to completely change the layout of your room and make much more welcoming and pleasant.
4. A coat of paint
If your living room feels dated, dull or lacking in personality, a new coat of paint could help turn things around. Repaint the walls and/or the furniture, change the curtains, renew the upholstery of sofas and armchairs, reupholster the cushions, change the carpet and rugs: these are all fairly simple actions to take but can have an amazing impact.
A new color paint can increase the luminosity and charm of your living room, and make dated elements look and feel more modern.
5. Add decorative elements
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Adding decorative elements to the living room can completely transform the space. A large painting on the wall behind the sofa, a "serious" ornament in the center of the living room table, or a new, colorful carpet may be all you need.
6. Wallpaper
Decorating an entire wall with wallpaper is another excellent idea, cheap and and easy to do. Experiment with colors and patterns, trying out geometric designs and floral prints until you find what suits you best.
Wallpaper will help you create an accent wall that will add movement and depth to the lving room in one simple-to-do project.
7. Green plants
Bring a bit of nature into your home by using green plants as a key element of your living room's decor. Not only will the palnts bring color and vibrancy to the room, but they will also be beneficial to your well-being, improving air quality and enhancing your relaxation.
8. Totally white
By repainting the living room in white, you will make the room brighter and open up a myriad of decorating possibilities. A white living room will not only be brighter and more airy, but will also make old or outdated furniture feel more modern. You will also have more freedom to play around with decorative elements in much wider color and materials spectrums.
