Just because you’re working with a limited budget, doesn’t mean you can’t make your living room more cozy. Whether you prefer pure minimalism or a shabby chic look, here are our 12 ideas for decorating living rooms at a budget that are perfect for even the smallest spaces.

1. Step back and rearrange your furniture

It may sound obvious, but if you’re restricting yourself to only a few purchases, make them count. Before getting your card out, carefully review your current living room layout. What can you move, declutter, or clear out? Could that armchair find a new home by the window, or the console table move to the hallway? Ask someone with a keen eye for aesthetics for their advice, and look for inspiration online, in magazines, or in friends’ living rooms to find new ideas.

2. Paint by numbers

Tired of your colour scheme? You don’t immediately have to invest in new items to switch things up. If you’re allowed to paint the walls, buy some samples and have fun with it. It’s your opportunity to try out a whole new style without breaking the bank.

If you enjoy DIY projects, you can also give your own furniture a new coat of paint. A bright blue chair? Why not! If you’ve got a bit of money to spare, check out online marketplaces or vintage markets to find some good deals on items you can breathe new life into.

3. Decorate the walls

If painting is not an option, removable wallpaper is a great low-commitment option. Moreover, don’t forget that your walls are a blank canvas for decoration: pictures, paintings, wall stickers or a mural can make a big difference to your living room atmosphere. A few basic supplies like adhesive hooks and command strips with a DIY mindset can go a long way.

4. Watch where you step

Just like walls, floors provide plenty of decorating opportunities that are easy to overlook. Have you considered giving your living room a large statement rug, or layered rugs in an array of textures, colours, shapes, and sizes? If rugs aren’t your thing, new flooring can give your room a complete refresh, whether you’re looking for real wood flooring to add an authentic feeling to a shabby chic style, or prefer a more affordable laminate flooring option.

5. Incorporate natural touches

Houseplants are an affordable addition that can completely transform a room. Even if you’re confident in your caretaking abilities or don’t have a lot of natural light, there are plenty of low maintenance options like spider plants. Even fake plants will make an impact, and arranging natural materials like driftwood, dried flowers, or smooth rocks elegantly will bring a new dimension to your space.

6. Spread out linens and throws on your furniture

If all you’re working with are second-hand hand me downs or DIY projects, you might not have the most stylish furniture on hand at the moment. But you can decorate a coffee table with a beautiful tablecloth or runner, or add a patterned throw to the back of your sofa, for a small upgrade.

7. Invest in a few cushion cover sets and fillers

A bare sofa can be a sad sight. Colourful cushions instantly add flair to a living room, so consider sparing some of your budget for some cushion pads and reversible cover sets if you like to frequently change things up. Make sure you stick to consistent sizes so you can re-use your purchases for a long time and mix and match styles, and you won’t have to keep buying pre-filled cushions in the future.

8. Let there be layered light

The magic of layered lighting is one of those things no one teaches you, but once you figure it out it completely transforms your home. A few affordable floor and table lamps placed around your living room are an instant stylish upgrade and mood booster.

9. Style with curtains and blinds

Blocking out natural light doesn’t have to be purely practical. For a relatively low investment, replacing old, faded shades with a nice new pair of cotton curtains or bamboo blinds might be the small refresh your living room needs.

10. Maximise space with mirrors

It’s an age-old trick, but it’s a top tip for small living rooms. Strategically-placed mirrors can give the illusion of a much bigger space. If you have a bit of budget to spare and are concerned about proportions, a large mirror might be what you need.

11. Vary your use of vertical storage

If you’ve got a bookshelf in your living room, don’t forget to use that to your advantage. Add potted plants, candles, pictures, bouquets, and other decorative items to create fun displays that demonstrate your own personality and interests.

12. Find multi-functional furniture

Two for the price of one, who can say no? Aside from the classic sofa bed, lots of furniture items can serve as storage as well to save space. Trunks as coffee tables, storage ottomans, and folding tables can give you stylish and practical variety.

Before you start decorating your living room on a budget, here are a few more tips:

Tip #1: Re-use and re-purpose

Chances are, you already have lots of things to decorate with. What’s in your bedroom that you could incorporate in your living room? Items you’ve accumulated throughout your life from your friendships, travels, or hobbies can add a unique flair to your living room.

Tip #2: If you need new items, shop second-hand

Pre-loved doesn’t mean it’s any less stylish or useful! Check out local street markets for great furniture bargains, or browse sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree – but remember to keep a strict budget so you don’t splurge.

Tip #3: Embrace the DIY lifestyle

Doing it yourself is often cheaper than buying things brand-new. Enlist the help of your friends for things like painting, and make it a fun activity! There are lots of videos online to help you learn new skills such as painting or making cushion covers.

Tip #4: Save your budget for where it’s essential to you

Sometimes, DIY and second-hand aren’t an option. Be judicious about what you can re-use from your own belongings, and which items you really need to upgrade. Whether it’s quality flooring, warm curtains, or a large statement sofa to design your room around, give yourself a bit of leeway to spend where it matters.

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