The living room is frequently the focal point of a house, as far as entertaining is concerned. How it is decorated is important for many families because this is where the most time is spent. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to provide a new look without spending a lot of money.
While new furniture certainly gives a new look to the living room, purchasing many new pieces may not be in the budget. Instead, look at using current furnishings in different ways.
Rearrange it – Moving current furniture around the room can create a new ambience and might make better use of the space. This may even mean removing some clutter by getting rid of little-used pieces.
Cover it – If the furniture is still in pretty good shape but could use a new look, slipcovers are the way to go. They are available in a variety of fabrics and colors to fit most sofas, chairs and recliners. Slipcovers can be changed each season to redecorate the living room throughout the year.
Add to it – Fringe, ribbons, beads and felt patterns can be added to pillows to either make them more elegant or casual, depending on your personal tastes. Combined with new couch covers, you could completely change the look of your furniture in a few easy steps.
Paint it – While wallpaper comes in a variety of styles it can be expensive. Painting walls can add a fresh look at a much lower price, while meaning less maintenance on them in the long run.
Finding new pieces
There may be certain furnishings needed to finish off the redecorating process, but that still does not have to mean a lot of money has to be spent. There are several places to find furniture and accessories on a budget.
Classifieds – Local newspaper classified ads are great places to look for deals. The people selling the items are usually in the same area, so transportation is easier, and it can usually be seen before purchasing. Online classifieds, such as Craigslist and Freecycle, offer a wider range of goods but it may be harder to get them home.
Garage or Yard Sales – Just because people put out some of their older items for sale does not mean good quality items cannot be found. Often, people will try to sell their older furniture at a garage sale simply because they no longer have room or because they are going through their own remodeling. This means they may also be more likely to negotiate on price in order to make a quick sale.
Auctions – These are some of the best places to find secondhand furniture at bargain prices, providing you set a budget and stick to it. The pieces can be viewed before bidding and if the price gets too high, simply move on to the next item and try again.
Perhaps the most important thing about redecorating a living room on a budget is to have fun and use some imagination. This will ensure the room has its own unique style and nobody needs to know not a lot of money was spent.