Entertaining guests, playing games, relaxing, socialising, watching TV, and sometimes even eating — the multiple uses of living rooms that make them one of the most important places in a home. So, creating a functional and valuable yet beautiful and aesthetic space should be your top priority.
Whilst a living room renovation may seem expensive, it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you an arm and a leg. Whether you want to give your space a slight facelift or a major overhaul, sorting out the “musts,” “maybes,” and “some days” will make the decisions a lot simpler and budgeted.
Before swinging the first demolition sledgehammer, make sure to give this article a read to learn about the most affordable living room makeover ideas that you (and your space) might need!
Redo The Layout
This idea may seem like a useless and insignificant step, but the reality is quite the opposite. Sometimes, the only thing your space lacks is a change in the layout — the way you arrange your furniture and accessories.
If you’ve got the furniture pieces that go with the overall theme, you just have to move them around to help transform the look. Try something different rather than opting for the traditional layout, with sofas pushed against walls and the coffee table positioned in the centre.
If you need expert help with spacial planning and optimisation, our Interior Design Gurus can help with a Floor Plan.
To make your lounge coherent, converge the furniture around a single starting point. If you’ve got a fireplace, the configuration of the room will stay almost the same. However, by choosing some other interesting piece as a focal point for your living room, such as a painting or plant collection, you can add extra visual interest. Alternatively, you can also go for a television as the starting point. Take a hard look at the room and decide the best position. Don’t worry about the cabling; it can easily be rerouted.
The best part is that this rearrangement will only cost you hosting a friend’s lunch/dinner you invite over for help, a few bucks on wall repair kits, and a tub of spackle.
Try Going Secondhand
If you feel that it's time to get rid of furniture items that have seen better days, you can consider replacing them with secondhand, inexpensive furniture and decorations. Keep an eye on sites like eBay and Etsy to look for the pieces that perfectly fit your preferences.
Pro Tip: Make a list of the required items, measure them, and note down their sizes. Also, keep in mind that you can paint the pieces you choose. So, when you start searching, focus on the shapes instead of the colours.
Give A Fresh Coat Of Paint
If you’ve gotten bored of the same old neutral colours in your living room, try going for a fresh coat of paint. It is one of the finest and most budget-friendly remodelling techniques. Plus, this doesn’t have to be restricted to your walls — you can extend it to your furniture and flooring too!
To make your room visually attractive, coat your walls with contrastive colours below and above the dado rail. For those who don’t have a dado rail, you can go for a focal wall. It will still provide the same transformative properties and keep your space fresh with the on-trend shades.
How much will it cost? You’ll require brushes, drop cloths, painter’s tape, and rollers, all of which can be found at affordable prices. A gallon of paint costing £8-£38 ($15-$30) can cover around 400 square feet. Measure your space and invest accordingly.
Adding Bookshelves
Organising and decluttering your living room is a great remodelling idea. Adding a built-in bookshelf can be helpful. Along with making a lovely focal point and providing good storage space for books of all sizes and shapes, a bookshelf will also allow you to showcase charming items like memorabilia, picture frames, and decorations to your visitors. For guidance on how to style a shelf, read our tips here!
Now you might be wondering how such a deluxe feature can be affordable. Here’s the secret: instead of going for splendid bookshelves, purchase Billy bookcases from Ikea. You can give them a luxurious look by adding a bit of moulding and giving them a lick of paint.
Lighting
Although the right ways to light a room can completely alter the mood and ambience of a space, it is still an often neglected aspect when it comes to remodelling. Here are some affordable options you can try out:
Replace your outdated central fixture with a new pendant light to add a punch of character
Install picture lights to highlight your artwork
Bring in task lighting for elegance through table lamps and floor lamps
For a dynamic room, opt for lampshades that complement your seasonal accessories
Good Luck Remodelling!
There are plenty of ways to create your dream home without spending a fortune. Remember, “remodelling” and “expensive” are not synonyms. With careful planning, savvy foresight, and clever budgeting, you can upgrade the entire feel of your living room in no time.
Set your goals, follow the tips listed above, and start redecorating!
Need some help with remodelling your space — whether it be how to get started or how to make critical decisions? Just book one of our Interior Design Gurus here! They can look at your space over video chat and give you personalised tips, ideas and guidance on how to achieve an interior that you love.