Dress Up Your Living Room
To dress up your living room, you will need to determine the functional and decorative needs of the space, and then research prices for your ideal accents to come up with a reasonable budget for your project. Three simple ways to dress up your living room without redecorating are to transform the space with decorative, yet functional accent furniture, savvy décor and lighting.
Furniture
There are several ways to dress up your living room with accent furniture. An easy, albeit more expensive, way to update your existing furniture without replacing it is to reupholster or refinish it. Older wood pieces look new re-sanded and freshly stained. Sofas and chairs with outdated fabrics but timeless, durable frames can be dressed up with a more luxurious fabric, or leather upholstery and some re-cushioning. On a lower budget, investing in high-quality slipcovers for sofas and chairs can dress up these pieces. You might also indulge in a trendy piece of accent furniture. End tables, coffee tables, console tables, benches and ottomans are low-commitment items because they are generally more affordable than sofas and chairs, easy to update and replace, and can be flexibly positioned in the space.
Décor
The most flexible way to dress up your living room is through the décor. For the most dramatic effect, address the walls, floor, and windows. Re-painting, re-finishing, and re-carpeting are all going to be more of a time-and-money investment. Adding throw rugs, artwork, mirrors, decorative shelves, and replacing drapes or blinds generally require less time and money. Furthermore, there are websites that enable you to rent artwork to test pieces out in your home before making the financial commitment to purchase it.
Lighting
With a little investment of your time or money, you can dress up your living room with enhanced lighting. Add wall sconces or replace ordinary overhead light fixtures with more sophisticated or stylish choices. Floor and table lamps are less expensive, mobile, and thus the lower-commitment option for dressing up your living room with lighting. In rooms that lack abundant natural light, additional lamps and light fixtures can do wonders to brighten the room and effectively showcase your decorative accents.
