How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

Want to refresh your living room without breaking the bank? Let's dive into some easy and affordable ways to spruce up your space. Imagine us walking through your living room, assessing its potential. We'll start by decluttering, creating a clean canvas to rearrange your furniture in a way that opens up the room and invites creativity. It’s about making small changes with big impacts, like layering rugs for a cozy feel, adding vibrant throw pillows for a dash of color, and introducing natural elements like plants to bring life into the space.

Next, let's chat about personalizing your living area. A gallery wall can beautifully showcase your style without costing a fortune, and playing with color and pattern can transform the room’s vibe. Why not try repurposing or refinishing old furniture to add a unique touch? Embracing a minimalist approach or crafting DIY decor can also offer a fresh look. It's all about creating a space that feels like home, where every piece tells a part of your story. So, ready to revamp your living room into a cozy, stylish haven?

Declutter and Rearrange

Decluttering your living room is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to give the space a fresh new look before adding any new decor. When you clear out clutter from surfaces, organize collections, and remove any unnecessary items, it creates a clean foundation to build your new living room design on.

The benefits of decluttering include:

- Allows you to see the room layout better without visual distractions

- Creates a blank canvas to envision new furniture arrangements

- Frees up hidden storage spaces to better utilize

- Lets new decor and accents shine instead of competing with clutter

When rearranging your existing furniture, don't be afraid to get creative and try out new configurations. Here are some tips:

- Pull furniture away from the walls to open up floor space

- Angle furniture to create separate zones or conversation areas

- Switch large pieces between rooms for a brand-new look

- Repurpose old furniture by giving it a fresh coat of paint

Once you've cleared the clutter and rearranged the layout, shop your own home for potential decor pieces to repurpose:

- Rehang artwork in new groupings or layouts

- Use baskets, vases, or trays for unexpected storage

- Layer rugs in contrasting colors and patterns

- Display collections in an organized, decorative way

- Add new throws, pillows, or accessories for pops of color

Decluttering first allows you to refresh your living room with minimal effort and cost.

Layer Rugs and Textiles

One of the easiest ways to transform the look and feel of your living room is by layering rugs and refreshing textiles like pillows, blankets, and curtains. The texture and color that textiles provide can make a space feel more warm, inviting, and put together.

Layer Rugs

Layering two or more rugs is an affordable way to add dimension and interest to your living room floor. Try combining a larger jute or sisal rug as a neutral base, then layer a colorful, patterned rug on top. The layered rugs will define the seating area while also providing plush comfort underfoot. Don't be afraid to play around with size, texture, and overlapping the rugs.

Add New Throw Pillows

Instantly breathe new life into tired living room furniture by tossing on some new throw pillows. Choose pillows in a variety of complementary colors, patterns, and textures to create visual interest. Arrange your throw pillows in odd numbers like 3 or 5, and don't be afraid to pile on the pillows and have fun mixing and matching.

Cozy Up With Blankets

For extra coziness, add lightweight blankets or throws in natural materials like cotton, wool, or linen. Drape them over the arms or backs of sofas and chairs to soften the furniture and tie in other natural textures. Roll up a throw blanket and place it in a basket as an inviting accent.

Rehang Window Treatments

Rehanging your curtains or other window treatments at a new height or length can dramatically change the look of a room. For a fresh perspective, hang curtain rods higher to give the illusion of taller ceilings. Or try hanging curtains wider than the window frame to make windows appear larger. Experiment with different styles like adding valances, swapping drapes for Roman shades, or layering sheers behind curtains.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Bringing natural elements into your living room is an easy way to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Here are some ideas for incorporating organic decor:

Houseplants and Flowers

- Potted houseplants in varying heights add greenery without taking up much space. Opt for low-maintenance varieties like pothos, snake plant, or ZZ plant.

- Cut flowers instantly brighten up any room. Keep a vase on a side table or console.

- Create a small indoor garden by clustering a few potted plants in a corner.

- Float flowers in a glass bowl for a whimsical coffee table centerpiece.

Woven Baskets and Driftwood

- Incorporate texture with woven baskets in natural fibers like rattan, bamboo, jute, or seagrass. Use for storage or as rustic decorative accents.

- Collected driftwood makes for sculptural wall art above a sofa or sideboard. Distress and whitewash for a beachy finish.

- A large woven tray on an ottoman or coffee table corrals remotes, magazines, and other clutter.

- Stack varying-sized baskets in a corner as alternative shelving for blankets, books, or firewood.

Candles and Greenery

- Group pillar candles in mercury glass votives or hurricane vases for warm, ambient lighting.

- Tuck faux eucalyptus, ferns, or other greenery into a mantel or shelf display.

- Add fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or lavender to a candle for a natural aroma when lit.

- Create an inviting vignette by clustering candles and small potted plants on a side table.

Create Gallery Walls

Gallery walls are an easy way to elevate any living room. Clustering framed artwork, prints, photos, and other wall decor provides visual interest and gives your space a curated feel. The best part is you don't have to spend much to create an impressive gallery wall display.

When designing your gallery wall, don't overthink the arrangement. Aim for an organic composition with some prints higher and some lower, overlapping frames, and a variety of sizes and orientations. Odd-numbered groupings tend to look more natural. Mix and match thrift store finds, affordable print sets, and even framed pages from old books.

For artwork, look for inexpensive yet elegant wall arts and paintings. You can also find affordable digital downloads of prints, maps, botanical images, and more on the internet that you can size and frame yourself. Another budget-friendly option is to display pages from vintage books, sheet music, or calendars in basic frames.

To save money on framing, opt for simple, thin frames with clean lines rather than ornate, heavy frames. Black, white, and wood-tone frames have a classic, minimalist look. For a cohesive feel, stick to the same color frame finish for the entire gallery wall. Use painter's tape to map out the arrangement on the wall first before hammering in nails. Then hang all your frames, stand back, and make any adjustments.

With a little creativity, you can curate a beautiful gallery wall that appears high-end without spending much. Clustering small groupings of artwork makes it look collected over time. The imperfect styling of DIY gallery walls adds to the charm and personality of your living room.

Play With Color and Pattern

One of the easiest ways to elevate your living room is by playing with color and pattern. Using color strategically helps tie the space together, while mixing patterns adds visual interest. Follow these tips for incorporating color and pattern seamlessly:

Use Color Repetition

Pick one or two main colors and repeat them throughout the space. This color repetition will make the room feel cohesive. Try using the colors in:

- Throw pillows

- Blankets

- Artwork

- Accessories

- Area rugs

Tie everything together by choosing one color as the dominant shade. For example, if you love blue, use different tones of blue on the major furniture pieces and accents.

Mix and Match Patterns

Don't be afraid to layer patterns! Mixing patterns creates depth and dimension. Start by choosing one large pattern, like a rug or sofa. Then layer on smaller patterns like throw pillows, window treatments, and accessories.

Some guidelines for mixing patterns successfully:

- Limit yourself to 3 main patterns

- Vary the scale of patterns from large, medium, to small

- Use a similar color palette to tie patterns together

- Pair geometric and abstract prints with organic, nature-inspired patterns

Avoid matching patterns or using too many competing prints.

Stick to a Color Palette

Maintaining a cohesive color palette keeps the room looking polished. Choose 3-5 complementary colors and use those shades exclusively. Some foolproof color palette ideas:

- Analogous colors: Different shades of one color (ex. light blue, navy, sky blue)

- Monochromatic: Multiple tones of one color (ex. tan, beige, cream)

- Triadic: Three colors equidistant on the color wheel (ex. yellow, purple, green)

Once you've selected your color scheme, carry it through the entire space for harmony. Refer back to your palette when choosing new decorative items. This ensures everything works together.

Maximize Vertical Space

One of the simplest ways to elevate your living room decor is by maximizing vertical space. This opens up the room and prevents a cluttered feel. Some easy ways to utilize vertical real estate:

Add Corner Shelves

Corner shelves are a great way to take advantage of awkward empty corners. They provide both storage and display space. For a cohesive look, choose corner shelves that match the rest of your shelving or furniture. Use them to show off houseplants, books, candles, baskets, and other decor.

Install Floating Shelves

Floating shelves make a big visual impact with minimal work. They create a clean, streamlined look since they don't have visible brackets. Floating shelves are perfect for displaying framed photos, art, ceramics, and collections. Stick to lighter items since they aren't as sturdy as fixed shelving.

Style Bookcases and Display Shelves

Most living rooms usually have bookcases or display units. Avoid just lining up books and knick-knacks. Instead, artfully arrange items of different heights, textures, and colors. Incorporate decorative boxes, baskets, vases, and bookends. Make it functional too by including storage for remotes, coasters, and candles.

Dress Up Ledges and Mantels

Any ledges or mantels become prime real estate for elevating your style. Curate a meaningful display that reflects your personality. Include a mix of items like photos, art, greenery, ceramics, candles, and small accessories. Keep it tidy by limiting the number of items and anchoring with bookends. Change it up seasonally to refresh the look.

Get Creative With Furniture

One of the easiest ways to refresh your living room decor is by getting creative with your existing furniture. Often a simple refinishing or repainting project can give tired pieces new life.

Try refinishing a wood coffee table or end table with a fresh stain or paint color. White and black are classic, but don't be afraid to use bold colors like navy or emerald for a unique pop. Upcycle flea market finds or vintage pieces with some sanding and a coat of paint. Not only will you save money, but you'll add a one-of-a-kind character to your living room.

Coffee tables in particular are a great opportunity to showcase your style. Skip the expected rectangular table and opt for something sculptural like a tree stump table or drum-shaped ottoman. For smaller spaces, nesting tables provide versatility, or choose a lifted design to create the illusion of more breathing room.

Don't be afraid to reconfigure your seating arrangement to change the perspective of your living room. Float your sofa in the center of the room rather than pushing it against the wall. Angle chairs towards each other to create intimate seating areas. Arrange furnishings to take advantage of your best light and views. Shifting furniture is an easy, cost-effective way to give your living room a fresh new look.

Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism is a timeless trend that creates a calming, uncluttered aesthetic in the home. Luckily, you don't have to empty your entire living room or invest in expensive decor to take a minimalist approach. Start by removing any unnecessary clutter and focusing on a few high-impact accents.

Choose streamlined furniture pieces like a sleek couch or coffee table to anchor the room. Avoid overly ornate styles and opt for clean, modern silhouettes. Monochromatic furniture makes a bold minimalist statement. For example, all-white furnishings paired with light wood tones evokes Scandinavian style on a budget.

When it comes to decor, remember that less is more. Carefully curate a small selection of accessories like vases, candles, and trays rather than filling every surface. Match decor to the wall color for a soothing, cohesive look. Floating shelves are perfect for displaying your favorite finds without visual clutter.

Above all, adopt a minimal mindset when evaluating each decor choice. Ask yourself if every item serves a purpose and brings joy. A touch of minimalism helps create a relaxing, clutter-free living room.

Add DIY Touches

Looking for ways to personalize your living room on a budget? DIY projects are a fun and affordable option for creating custom decor. Here are some easy DIY ideas to give your space a creative upgrade:

Create custom wall art - Make your own artwork with canvas painting, string art, painted wood signs, or printed and framed designs. You can recreate inexpensive art prints or come up with your own abstract designs. Paint a large letter from your family name on a canvas for a big statement.

Fashion wall prints - Turn your favorite photos or inspiring quotes into stylish wall prints. Print out images at home or a print shop, then frame them with inexpensive frames from a craft store. For a cohesive gallery wall, print all images in the same color palette.

Build floating shelves - Floating shelves add modern flair and additional display space. They're easy to construct out of wood boards and metal brackets. Stain or paint the shelves to match your decor, then mount them at varying heights on a wall. Style them with plants, books, or art.

Make a photo display - Show off snapshots in a creative way by mounting them on colored cardboard or clipping them to a ribbon. Group various framed photos on a wall or above your sofa for a collage effect. For a rustic photo display, clip photos to a hanging rope with clothespins.

Craft wall art from everyday items - Turn ordinary objects into artsy wall decor. Some ideas: create a memo board with colorful corks, make a geometric wood wall hanging, or frame a vintage quilt square. Thrift store finds like old tins or plates can be upcycled into one-of-a-kind wall art.

Fashion a faux fireplace - Give your living room a cozy focal point with a faux fireplace and mantel. Use plywood to construct a hollow frame, then paint or wallpaper it to look like stone or brick. Decorate the mantel with candles, greenery, and art to pull the look together.

With a little creativity and effort, you can make DIY accents that add personal flair to your living room without breaking the bank.

Personalize the Space

Nothing makes a living room feel more inviting than infusing it with personal touches. This is your special sanctuary, so don't be afraid to make it your own!

One of the easiest ways to personalize your living room is by displaying your favorite photos. Create a sentimental photo wall with a cluster of mismatched frames showcasing cherished memories and loved ones. Or keep it simple with one large framed print of a meaningful vacation, wedding, or family portrait.

Beyond photos, find creative ways to showcase personal mementos. For example, display your vintage coin collection in a shadowbox on the wall or your grandmother's antique teacups on a shelf. Floating shelves are ideal for highlighting small sentimental objects while keeping surfaces clutter-free.

Don't overlook accessories as an opportunity to express your interests and personality. Choose throw pillows or blankets embroidered with phrases from your favorite book or movie quotes. Decorate with your prized souvenirs and travel finds, whether it's a hand-carved tribal mask from Africa or a miniature Eiffel Tower from Paris.

The living room is also a great place to proudly display your hobbies and talents. Create an artsy vignette with your pottery creations or musical instruments. Or showcase childhood accomplishments like sports trophies or spelling bee medals.

Ultimately, the goal is to surround yourself with things that spark joy and evoke meaningful memories. Don't be afraid of a little playful clutter—a personalized living room filled with sentimental objects you adore is the coziest retreat of all.

Conclusion

Revamping your living room is an exciting journey that marries functionality with personal flair. It’s about creating a space that’s not only visually appealing but also a true reflection of your personality and lifestyle. By decluttering, rearranging, and introducing new elements, you can breathe new life into your space, making it feel both fresh and familiar. Whether it’s through layering textiles, adding greenery, or curating a gallery wall, each step is a brushstroke in the bigger picture of your home’s story.

The beauty of this transformation lies in the details and the personal touches that make the space uniquely yours. From the cozy nooks crafted for relaxation to the vibrant splashes of color that energize the room, every choice is a testament to your style and creativity. Embrace the journey of reinventing your living room as an opportunity to express yourself and create a haven that resonates with warmth and welcome. In the end, it’s about crafting a space that not only looks great but also feels like the perfect backdrop for your life’s moments.