18 Quick and Easy Tips to Refresh Your Living Room
If you’ve ever been stuck searching for ideas to update a space before the holidays hit, I got you covered. Here are 18 quick and easy tips to refresh your living room that I hope you’ll enjoy!
![curved back sofa with gray pillows](https://notinggrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Living-Room-Refresh-with-Wayfair-15.jpg)
Do you have a room in your home that you are slowly chipping away at a little at a time?
Sometimes I like to dive right into a room and make it over from top to bottom, but honestly, that’s not how it goes all the time, is it?
Life inevitably happens, and just like you, many times I don’t have the mental capacity or money in my bank account to make it all happen at once.
Revamping a room in your home can seem pretty overwhelming, especially if you haven’t found the perfect design yet.
Those are the rooms that seem to take a lot longer. For us, that would be our Living Room.
Over time, I’ve been taking steps to make this space into one we love.
And truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with this space.
I love the fireplace and that it’s a cozy keeping room right off the kitchen.
But it’s also the darkest room in our home and it’s difficult to find the right furniture arrangement in this small space.
So let’s talk about some quick and easy steps you can take to update your home without spending a lot of money.
18 Quick and Easy Tips
to Refresh Your Living Room
(Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.)
New Color for Your Walls
It’s been told time and time again that a fresh coat of paint can completely transform your space.
It can completely make the space feel new again. And if you aren’t sure of color just yet, fresh white walls are the simplest change you can make. But keep reading for some tips to make it feel cozy and not sterile!
Create an Accent Wall
A bold splash of color on just one wall is a great way to make an inexpensive change to your living room.
Plus, it can have a big impact on one side of the room.
Just make sure that your color palette flows and matches your accent wall.
New Furniture
Now this doesn’t have to be an entire room makeover all at once. We’ve pieced the furniture in our Living Room a little at a time to make it easier on the budget.
Our newest addition is this beautiful sofa.
This is the Lauryn Sofa from Wayfair that I recently purchased on sale.
That curved back and recessed arms are what got me.
Our old sofa was too big for this space and just didn’t feel right. So I hunted for a deal that fit our budget and pulled the trigger once I found the new sofa I loved.
Earlier this year, we replaced our armchairs in this room, but didn’t have the budget to update our sofa at the same time.
By taking our time, we were able to slowly bring this room together piece by piece.
Replace Your End Tables
If big ticket furniture items aren’t in your budget, consider replacing smaller pieces, like a side table.
You can find some beautiful and inexpensive ones if you watch for sales. You can even find some on the Facebook marketplace.
And they can even have a creative purpose, like making better storage in a small room.
New Rug for your Floor
I have a confession to make.
I love to swap out my rugs and am always hunting for steals when the major sales hit.
A fresh rug can create a whole new look and the cost of single rugs are very affordable.
New Curtains for Your Windows
What if you love your wall color and furniture? Think about smaller items that can change your space. One simple trick is to replace your curtains in your room with a fresh new pair.
Even new curtain hardware can be the one thing your room needs to change the look. Think simple and easy things you can change.
Check out these awesome Curtain deals!
Create a Focal Point in Your Room
There are some great options to create a focal point in your room that can make a big impact. The focal point we created in our living room was our fireplace.
We painted our fireplace and have some plans to update it again with new gas logs.
Here are some more easy ways to create a focal point in your room.
Create a Gallery Wall
Why not showcase the whole family in one focal wall with a gallery wall?
We created a gallery wall going up the stairs at our old house and it was so much fun finding different frames and pictures to include.
I displayed my collection of keys, but you can bring new life to a space with different elements.
Create a Focal Point with a TV Cabinet
We struggled to find the perfect place to put our TV, but I didn’t want it to be displayed at all times.
I needed a perfect solution for this small space. So Trent and I built this TV Cabinet to hide that ugly black box away when it wasn’t in use.
Even a wall of cabinets or a colorful media center can be a stunning focal wall for your home.
Add a New Piece of Art
Wall art is a great idea to consider if you are looking for an inexpensive way to make an effective change in your home.
Think outside the box and search for art at garage sales or even DIY your own! It’s a great way to introduce a new color scheme through the little details in a piece of art.
Incorporate Lots of Texture
Sometimes the best way to make a huge change in your space is to introduce texture and you don’t have to be an interior designer to master this trick.
Texture can create softness, or reflect a seasonal change. Just think about it, nothing says winter better than a thick cozy knit blanket ready to cover up with.
Here are some tricks to change the feel of a room by adding some texture. Start by shopping your house for what you may already own.
Add Throw Blankets
One of my favorite ways to add texture is with throw blankets.
They are soft to the touch and call out to me saying – Sit and chill for a while!
There are so many different types: cashmere, knitted, fur and chenille.
Update Your Pillow Covers
If you are looking for smart ways to make a change quick, then get some new throw pillows. I love to use pillow covers since they are super affordable.
Using down pillow inserts make the room look more expensive.
Always check out the new pillows on the market with the arrival of a new season. Or repurpose old pillows by making new covers yourself!
Small Plants
One of the easiest and often overlooked ways to add some texture to your room is with plants.
I love to add greenery here and there and I’m always using faux plants. I usually forget to water them so the fakers are my go to.
And the best part is that you can reuse them year after year, so it’s a great investment if you find the right pieces.
Add a Floor Lamp
Changing the lighting in a room can make the entire space feel new again.
And a floor lamp not only changes lighting, but also adds height to a space where there is any.
Rearrange Furniture
I’m always talking about how I love to redecorrange. Trent is constantly playing “I Spy” because he knows something is different and is on the hunt for what it is.
So if you can’t afford new living room decor, why not try a new set up?
Take everything out of the room and then slowly add items back in starting with the rug and then the larger pieces.
Lots of Neutrals
If you stick with neutral tones for your statement pieces, like sofas and chairs, then you can add pops of color with accents.
This makes seasonal decorating a cinch! And boy, does changing colors make a big difference to a space.
Decorate Your Coffee Table
A new tray, or layered books or magazines on top of your coffee table is the easiest way to make the room feel refreshed.
The great thing is that you can use what you already have. And remember the rule of odds. Make sure there is an odd number of items to help what you use look natural.
![curved back sofa with gray pillows
18 Quick and Easy Tips to Refresh Your Living Room](https://notinggrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Living-Room-Refresh-with-Wayfair-15.jpg)
So if you are in the same boat as me, I encourage you to check out the other Wayfair offers. All very affordable!
I hope these 18 quick and easy tips to refresh your living room help you out.
It doesn’t have to be a whole room makeover all at once.
Sometimes a little refresh can completely transform your living space.
At the end of the day, the best part of this makeover is that you can take your time.
I am so excited about this new space and can’t wait to move on to the next step in this room makeover, but when the time is right for us.
Sources:
Sofa : Lauryn Sofa with Recessed Arms
Arm Chairs: Parmelee Club Chair
Area Rug: Similar 8 x 10 Rug
Throw Blanket: Leavens Throw Blanket in Beige and Gray
Pillows: Similar ones here, here and here
I love this article, thank you for sharing your knowledge. This is really helpful and well-detailed article.
Thank you so much, Isabel! This is Agreeable Gray from Sherwin Williams. It’s a great neutral color. Another fav of mine is Repose Gray.
Beautiful room
Jen this is an inspiration – perfect colors. I’m about to paint my house and looking for the perfect warm neutral color – I’d love to know the color of your wall paint.
Jenn, this was an awesome post!! Yes, I love just changing out a rug in a space…it gives your room a completely new vibe!! I’m crushing on your arbor prints behind your living room chairs!!
Jen,
What an amazing resource this is! Thank you so much for sharing all of these invaluable tips.
Your living room is gorgeous too!
Have a blessed weekend friend,
Brendt
Thank you so much, Janice! I just got those at Walmart. They are from the Better Homes and Garden collection. Here’s an aff. link if you want to purchase online.
These are really good tips! I definitely need to get some new throw blankets for couches this fall and maybe a new rug too. I bought a vintage rug from a local shop at the beginning of summer this year, but I’ve had to get a professional rug cleaning because it gets dirty so fast. I’m looking to replace it, so now might be a great time to do that!
What a beautiful and inviting room. Where did you purchase the gray pillow covers with the tassels