Skip to main content

Sprucing up your living room? Give these decor tips a try

It’s easy for your home’s style to go out of date and start to look faded over time. If you haven’t changed up your living room in a while, you might be tired of its old look and ready for something fresh, exciting, and new. But that doesn’t mean that you have to invest hundreds of dollars in new furniture and an entire living room makeover. You don’t even have to redecorate the entire space to get impressive results. These five small changes are affordable and easy to accomplish, all on your own. Try one, two, or all five tips to spruce up your living room.

A light and breezy living room window with modern furnishings
StockSnap / Pixabay

Opt for new colors

There’s no better way to spruce up your living room than with a fresh coat of paint. Get creative and think outside the box when you’re looking for colors. Consider using a more neutral tone for most of the room, but then opting for a bold color for an accent wall.

Recommended Videos

Painting is an excellent option because it can change your room’s entire look, but it’s still affordable, especially if you do it yourself. Overwhelmed by the task? Invite friends over for a pizza and painting party, and you’ll be done with the room before you know it.

While you’re painting the walls, be sure to focus on the trim of your windows, too. A fresh coat of paint on your window trim can make your windows look fresh, even if they’re older. Consider using an accent color to truly grab attention and make a statement.

Your rug can also become an important accent piece. Think about your lifestyle when choosing the rug that’s right for you. If you have pets or kids, a darker rug with a busier pattern can help hide dirt and stains.

Don’t be afraid to go bold with your rug, especially if most of your living room palette consists of neutral colors. You might want to experiment with a different rug size and try moving the rug around the room to find the best position.

Two potted plants in front of a blue wall
KRiPPS_medien / Pixabay

Decorate strategically

Sorting through and buying artwork can be expensive and time-consuming, but decorating with your own photos is much easier and can add a personal touch to your living room. Sort through some of your favorite photos and order prints. Soon, your wall will reflect your favorite memories and the people who mean the most to you.

If you already have artwork hanging but need to refresh it, measure each piece’s dimensions and print your photos in those same dimensions. You’ll be able to swap out your photos for the old art for a quick and affordable change. Even better than dealing with frames, consider ordering your photos as canvases. They’ll make an artful addition to any wall, and you don’t have to worry about buying additional frames.

Adding plants to your living room can make for a stress-reducing touch. These natural elements can enhance the decor that you’ve already created, and plants are easy and affordable to incorporate. When choosing your plants, consider the amount of space you have for them and how much time you can dedicate to their care. If you have pets, opt only for plants that are non-toxic if your pets ingest them. Common plants like lilies, aloe vera, ivy, and jade are toxic to pets and should be avoided. Instead, try Boston ferns, African violets, or areca palms. Think beyond your traditional potted plant, too. Hanging plants, tiered planters, and other creative options can make your plants extra interesting.

If you’re adding furnishings to your room, look for furnishings with storage. When you buy a coffee table, ottoman, or side table with storage, that piece does double duty. It will add some modern style to your room, but it can also help keep clutter out of sight, instantly making your room look larger and cleaner.

You might also consider buying some storage furniture, like a cube shelf with storage bins. This can be a beneficial option when you have kids and want to clean up quickly. Don’t forget that your entertainment center can also offer valuable storage. Look for a unit that’s appropriately sized for your TV, and choose one with concealed cupboards to keep equipment and items out of sight.

Sprucing up your living room

Your living room is one of the most-used rooms in your home, and you want it to look great for your family and for when you have company over. Sprucing up your living room doesn’t have to be an extensive process. These affordable, easy-to-implement design tips can have your living room quickly looking refreshed and stylish. They’re all tips that you can accomplish yourself, and many of them just require a little shopping and some basic installation.

Keep in mind that most of these tips will work for other rooms in your home too. By using them throughout your home, you can create a cohesive style.

Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
The top cream paint colors to warm up any room
Cream paint is warm and inviting and just may be the next color for your walls
Pouring cream paint into a paint tray

Cream is an elegant and timeless color that can easily make a room feel warm and bright. Sitting just between yellow and off-white, cream paint pairs well with bold hues in large spaces but can also stand alone to create a serene vibe in smaller ones. Regardless of your chosen design aesthetic, you can find a cream paint color that works for you. Whether you're considering a remodel or just a quick refresh, cream may be the way to go. If you’ve been searching for the perfect neutral hue that is classic, warm, and inviting, check out these cream paint colors that are sure to elevate your next redesign.
What colors are in cream?

At its most basic level, the color cream is a combination of yellow and white. However, if you’ve been shopping for cream paint, you already know it is far more complicated than that when you’re face to face with dozens of differing paint swatches. These days, there are thousands of different shades of cream, with each one bringing something slightly different to the table.

Read more
’90s decor: The trends we wouldn’t mind seeing again (and the ones we would)
We share some 1990s trends that we welcome with open arms and those that really should remain in the past
High ceiling kitchen with backsplash and wood cabinets

As millennials enter the housing market and make a statement on their spaces, '90s design trends are returning to the home. Often reminiscent of their childhood, '90s kids crave something that reminds them of their youth. However, not all '90s decor needs to make a comeback. Today, we share some 1990s trends that we welcome with open arms and those that really should remain in the past.
'90s trends making a comeback

Y2K may have held the spotlight for the past year or so, but as the '90s kids enter the housing market and invest in their personal style, many are reflecting back on their childhood homes. Here are some 1990s home decor ideas that are trending again.
Frilly grandmillenial details
Grandmillenial decor has skyrocketed as one of the trendiest design styles among '90s kids. Whether it’s because the aesthetic reminds them of their grandmother’s living room growing up or the furniture looks like it belongs on the set of Bridgerton, frilly grandmillenial details are trending. Think furniture skirting, lace details, tablecloths, doilies, and layered curtains. Add dainty fabrics throughout your space and embrace the frills.
Wicker furniture
Wicker furniture was a must-have in '90s sunrooms. However, the desire for wicker decor has reemerged as millennials gravitate toward coastal aesthetics. For example, coastal grandchild is a trending style that uses wicker elements to offer the perfect beach home vibe. While white wicker is popular, wood tones are also making a comeback in boho aesthetics.
Bold patterns
For the past couple of years, millennials have been craving bold patterns and loud prints. Maximalism sparked this trend, but many homeowners are aching to recreate their '90s childhood homes with stripes, florals, and checkerboard patterns. Patterned sofas, in particular, are gaining more traction. Gingham prints are also resurging in farmhouse and cottage-inspired designs.
Wallpaper
It’s fair to say that many people have been scarred by peeling away the hideous 1990s wallpaper. And sure, some resolved to paint over it. But the next generation of homeowners has a newfound love for bold wallpapers and floral prints reminiscent of the '90s looks. It’s only a matter of time before the '90s kids embrace the floral wallpaper borders of years past.
Large entertainment centers
Entertainment centers in the '90s were massive. If you grew up with a large CRT television with a stereo that housed cassette, CD, and VHS ports all in one, then you know what we’re talking about. We will likely see more oversized console tables and entertainment centers this year. While we no longer need to store our dozens of VHS tapes or CDs, these oversized cabinets offer ample storage space.

Read more
Transform your space with these craft room ideas
Organize your supplies and turn your craft room into an inspiring workspace with these stunning ideas
Person in craft room sewing

A designated craft room offers homeowners a space to store supplies, perfect creative projects, and cater to any hobbies and odd interests that don’t have a specific spot in the rest of the home. While an entire craft room may be a luxury, there are plenty of ways to use an odd corner or blank wall to store your most precious pursuits.

Whether you’re transforming a spare bedroom or tweaking the corner of your living room to accommodate your materials, we have some incredible craft room ideas to make the most of your space.
Go all out with a designated craft room

Read more