Is there a more widely used space in your home than your living room?
From lounging around watching movies to spending quality time with family and friends, the living room is a popular area that gets a lot of love.
Many homeowners prefer to give their living rooms a makeover before anywhere else in their house.
As more people have found themselves indoors during the last couple of years, searches for living room upgrades have increased by 52% since 2020, according to the 2021 Houzz Emerging Home Design Trends Report.
If you feel like it’s time to give your living room a much-needed upgrade, consider trying these affordable tips and tricks to make it shine.
1. Patterns and Textures
Sometimes all your living room needs is a little bit of intrigue, and the most inexpensive way to upgrade your space is with a bit of pattern and texture.
Throw blankets, pillows, and rugs can take your lackluster, unfinished living room to the next level.
For example, blue and white chevron-patterned pillows look great on a gray sofa, while shag rugs can cozy up your living room during the winter months.
You can also drape a thick-knitted blanket over any chair or place a runner down on your coffee table.
When the holidays are over and the weather changes, you can easily replace pillow, rug, and blanket textures and patterns with season-appropriate styles.
2. Accent Furniture
Accent furniture pieces can elevate the overall look of your living room while adding extra functionality and seating for guests.
Side chairs are a great option if you’re unable to replace your sofa or are looking to incorporate a pop of color.
The versatility of accent chairs in terms of size, shape, materials, and features gives you plenty of design opportunities, as well. You can even purchase accent chairs with different style legs, button tufting, or nailhead trimming.
If you need another place to put drinks down or hold a lamp, a coffee table or cocktail table may be just what you need.
While it may be tempting to purchase a brand-new living room set, a more budget-friendly option could lead you to thrift stores for unique second-hand pieces.
If you have enough furniture in your living room already, perhaps you only need to play with the arrangement itself.
Move your sofa to a different side of the room or re-angle your accent chairs and tables. Doing this may even open up the space and make the room feel larger, too.
3. Human-Centric Lighting
On average, humans spend approximately 10% of their time outdoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Yet, exposure to natural sunlight is crucial for vitamin D absorption, promoting immunity, bone health, and fighting seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
When upgrading your living room, you should consider adding human-centric lighting (HCL), which often includes adaptable LED fixtures that simulate sunlight.
By impacting your body’s natural circadian rhythm, HCL may help boost your productivity, improve your sleep patterns, and help balance your mood.
If you live in a colder climate, HCL may deliver the artificial lighting your body needs until you can move outdoors again.
These may be ideal for living rooms with few windows or that receive very little natural sunlight.
4. Paint Your Walls
Do you feel anxiety creep in when you’re standing in a yellow room? Do you feel angry in a room full of red walls? A fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference in your living room and your headspace.
Studies have shown that specific colors have profound psychological effects on humans.
As you find ways to upgrade your living room common area, think about the type of emotions you’d like to evoke in yourself and your guests.
Current paint trends lean toward colors that make you feel more tranquil, like grayish blues, greens, charcoal, and naturals. Many of these are obviously inspired by nature.
Splashing some new paint on your walls can make you feel like you’re living in a brand-new house.
5. Glamorous Accessories
If you’re interested in making your living room sparkle, you can always zhuzh things up with luxurious accessories.
An array of candles in different heights can make a stunning statement in the center of your cocktail table.
At the same time, mercury lamps can enhance the side table where you rest your coffee mug or the book you’re reading. Glass bowls, trays, and vintage clocks are other options for you to change the aesthetic of your living room altogether.
Consider replacing artwork with mirrors, add large coffee table books for a hint of intellectualism, and elegant novelty pieces to display in your bookcases.
It doesn’t take much to transform the room into a five-star luxurious escape.
6. Plants
Whether you’re a master plant parent or have a strict rule of owning faux plants only, adding a bit of greenery to your living room can break up neutral tones and give the space a more outdoorsy, natural feel.
Be sure the amount of sunlight your living room gets is enough for your plants to survive; otherwise, place your plants directly near windows.
Tall corn plants, snake plants, monstera, and small palms typically do well indoors and look beautiful in living rooms.
You can also display several succulents or cacti throughout your room, which require very little maintenance and care.
Minor Upgrades for a Big Change
It doesn’t take a large-scale renovation to make a massive difference in your living room.
Even slight upgrades can go a long way toward transforming the space into a comfortable destination everyone can enjoy.
Just be sure to keep things personal with a style that fits your needs and represents you, above all else.