8 Ways to Update Your Living Room without Spending a Lot of Cash

By Barbara Pronin

If you’re tired of looking at the same old living space, but can’t afford new furniture, California room designer Erin Pedersen suggests eight ways to give your living room new life without spending a lot of money:

Rearrange it – Simply repositioning the furniture can make a huge difference. Cut out paper pieces to scale and waltz them around a sheet of paper cut to match your room until you find a new arrangement that works.

Paint it – A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to change the look of a room, especially if you contrast your chosen wall color against white baseboards and woodwork.

Add a rug – Whether your floors are wood or carpeted, an inexpensive area rug can liven up a space with little cost or effort.

Swap out artwork and accessories – Changing out a few of the knick knacks in the room – and/or the prints hanging on the walls – can breathe new life into the space. Accessories are among the least expensive pieces in a room, so start over when you tire of them.

Make it seasonal – Speaking of accessories, set a bowl of seashells on the mantelpiece in summer, and accessorize with beach or pastel pieces. In winter, switch to baskets of pine cones and candles in autumn’s deeper hues..

Throw in the pillows – Adding splashes of color is another great way to liven up a room. Comb the home store for pillow colors you want to live with.

Light it up – If you have an overhead fixture, think about replacing it with something more contemporary. If you’re happy with the fixture, help bounce light around the room with a couple of new table lamps or wall sconces.

Paper it – Wallpaper, out of fashion over the past few years, is now making something of a comeback. Try papering one wall for accent. Try one of the new repositional papers you can peel off and toss if you tire of it.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.