45 (Almost!) Free Living Room Updates

Don't let a barely there budget keep you from creating a room you'll love living in. Get creative with our best ideas for updating your living room, family room or den for next to nothing.

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By: H. Camille Smith and Maria Conti

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Time to Freshen Up the Family Room

Whether your living room is the hub of social gatherings or ground zero for family movie nights, our designer-approved tips and DIY project ideas will help you max out your favorite hangout for minimal moola.

See More Photos: 35 Living Room Looks We're Loving Now

From: HGTV Magazine

Curate a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls aren't just trendy, they're also a great way to showcase artwork and favorite family photos along with souvenirs, like playbills or concert tickets. Choose frames in the same color for a cohesive look or really mix it up with thrifted frames in a variety of colors and sizes. Take a tour of this classic-meets-quirky home that was featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: A Classic Spin on Quirky Decorating

From: HGTV Magazine

Green Up Your Space

Adding even a small touch of Mother Nature is sure to make your living room feel more alive. Potted plants are ideal because they clean the air, but if your thumb is brown, bring a cut branch indoors and pop it into a sturdy container for maintenance-free greenery.

get the how-to: How to Care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig

From: D2 Interieurs

Create (Almost!) Free Art

Need art on a budget? We got you! Turn fresh or faux monstera, palm or fern leaves into textural fabric art with our handy-dandy trick for turning leftover chalk paint into DIY spray paint. Learn all our best tips, below.

get the how-to: Easy-Breezy Tropical Leaf Art

From: H. Camille Smith

Reimagine Your Existing Antiques

We all have hand-me-down pieces that with just a little imagination could be put to good use as something new. So, before hitting the furniture store, first shop your home and take a cue from designer Ashley Gilbreath, who turned an antique French Provincial armoire into an entertainment center that offers up lots of storage while concealing the TV when not in use.

See More Photos: Tips for Cleaning and Restoring Antique and Vintage Finds

From: Ashley Gilbreath

Paint Your Fireplace

For just the cost of a can of paint, you can take your fireplace's brick surround from dark and drab to bright white in just a weekend. Our friends at HGTV Magazine share their best tips, below.

learn more: The Dos and Don'ts of Painting a Brick Fireplace

From: H. Camille Smith

Or, Paint Plain Furniture

Give a new look to items you already own with a fresh coat of paint. For a fun twist, use painter's tape to add a straightforward pattern like these stripes that lend a trendy refresh to a dated coffee table. Take a tour of this budget-friendly farmhouse, featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: A Farmhouse Filled With Unique Projects

From: HGTV Magazine

Put Vacation Souvenirs on Display

Fill a kitchen bowl with souvenirs from a favorite vacation, then display it on your coffee table — or bookshelf or mantel — for a happy reminder of an enjoyable getaway that will add a touch of faraway color or texture.

learn more: Coastal Design Style 101

From: James Farmer

Or, Put Family Memories on Display

Perfect in a small space, picture ledges offer up maximum display options in a shallow footprint — but they can be pricey when purchasing from a store. Save money and make them yourself using a few basic supplies.

get the how-to: How to Make Your Own Picture-Perfect Photo Ledge

Stencil Your Walls

Large-scale graphic wallpaper is a great way to kick up the style in your living room, but patterns like these can come with a high price tag. Save money by skipping the paper altogether and applying the pattern directly to the wall with stencils and house paint you already have on hand. Check your local craft store or sites like etsy.com for a pattern that suits your style, then apply it to the wall with a stiff-bristled brush or foam roller.

Get the how-to: How to Stencil a Focal Wall

Or, Stencil Your Curtains

Give your existing white drapery panels a not-so-basic makeover with an oversized stencil and budget-friendly acrylic craft paint for a look that says you splurged — when you really saved. Get all our best tips for stenciling fabric, below.

get the how-to: Blah to Bespoke: How to Stencil Drapery Panels for a Designer Look for Less

From: H. Camille Smith

Or, Even Stencil a Coffee Table Tray

Cement tile is taking the design world by storm, but the global-inspired pattern's trendy look comes with a hefty price tag. Get the look for much less with a DIY stenciled tray that's perfect for containing remotes and magazines on your living room coffee table.

get the how-to: Stencil Your Way to a Stunning Cement Tile Tray

From: H. Camille Smith

Cue the Color With Pillows

Toss in color and pattern with throw pillows. You can find them for typically less than $20 a pop at your local big box or home goods store, or stitch them up yourself for an even more budget-friendly fix.

See More Photos: Throw Pillow Decorating Inspo for Those Who Believe More is More

From: Bria Hammel Interiors

Or, Toss In Some Color With a Throw

A cozy throw blanket, either folded neatly across the back of your sofa or casually tossed across an arm, pops in a little extra color and will also come in handy on chilly nights. Shop one of our budget-friendly faves, below.

Go Shopping: Living Room Throw Blankets You'll Love Under $50

Give Your Pup a Cozy Perch

Vintage drum-style side tables are not only back in style, they're also perfect for converting into a cozy hideaway for dogs or cats. Want to make your own? Hit thrift stores to find a side table that's large enough for your pet to be able to stand up and turn around. Remove the doors and add padding and upholstery fabric to the table's interior. Finally, add a cushy pillow for lounging.

get the how-to: How to Turn an Old End Table Into a Pet Bed

And, Craft a Kitty Scratchpad

Save your upholstery and give your beloved furball a textural surface that feels oh-so-good to sink their claws into. Just fill an old frame with a coir door mat, then securely attach to the wall at kitty's perfect level for having a good scratch.

See More Photos: 15 Adorable DIYs for Cats + Cat Lovers

Rearrange Your Bookcase

To really kick up your bookshelf's style, vary placement: Stack some books on their sides while lining up others vertically. Or, follow our cue and mix it up: some vertical, some horizontal and held in place with an antique painted box and vintage ginger jar filled with fresh-cut backyard blooms.

See More Photos: 45 Must-Know Tips for Styling Your Built-In Bookshelves

From: H. Camille Smith

And, Rethink a Trashed Table

This family-friendly living room features a coffee table that was once destined for the dump. The homeowner rescued the antique dining table from the trash, then cut off the table's lower portion to bring it down to size without sacrificing any of the antique's original charm. See more of this hard-working home, featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: Kid-Friendly Home Decorating

From: HGTV Magazine

(Finally!) Hang Those Drapes

Hanging curtain rods can be a pain. You spend lots of time measuring and marking the brackets’ placement, yet the end result might still be off. We have the solution. Our DIY template, below, makes hanging drapery hardware straightforward and stress-free.

get the how-to: How to Hang a Curtain Rod

From: Marian Parsons

And, Finally Hang That Heavy Mirror

It's understandable that so many of us have a heavy mirror taking up space in our garage or basement. Whether we bought it on a whim or inherited it, large mirrors offer up lots of charm, but that massive appeal comes with massive heft. Our step-by-step guide, below, will help you hang even the heaviest mirror using a designer secret: DIY French cleats.

get the how-to: The Easiest Way to Hang a Heavy Mirror

From: Vernich Interiors

Bring In Beauties From Your Dining Room

Cherished hand-me-down or thrifted collectibles, like antique ironstone and porcelain serveware, are too pretty to keep hidden away in a room you rarely use. Instead, use your favorite finds to dress up your living room's bookcase to easily add color, pattern and visual interest.

See More Photos: Antiques 101: Guide to Collecting Ironstone

Or, Display Kitchen Collectibles

When decorating on a budget, always start by shopping your home to source utilitarian items like these antique cutting boards and pizza paddles that beautifully fill the wall behind the sofa with rustic charm and the warm color of wood.

See More Photos: 10 Items Designers Scoop Up at Antique Stores

From: Crystal Sinclair

Focus on the Floors

Give hardwood floors that are past their prime a new lease on life with a coat of enamel or epoxy-based paint. Choose a light color to brighten up a dark room, or opt for a fashion-forward finish like stripes or diamonds, which you can achieve with painter's tape. Rely on a stencil for more intricate patterns like trellis, damask or Greek key.

learn more: The Dos and Don'ts of Painting Wood Floors

And, Don't Forget the Ceiling

When reimagining your living room, don't limit the power of paint to just the walls, furniture or floor. Painting the ceiling a soft shade of blue, mimicking the sky, draws your eye up and makes a room feel more airy and open.

See More Photos: 8 Reasons Designers Are Painting Ceilings

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Style a Stack on Your Coffee Table

Dust off your coffee table books and style them strategically to create art-worthy impact in your living room. This chic stack features glossy hardcovers in varied hues to create an eye-catching, ombré effect on the coffee table.

See More Photos: 15 Designer Tips for Styling Your Coffee Table

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Corral Clutter With a DIY Tray

Trays are indeed handy-dandy things — equally useful for turning assorted coffee table tchotchkes into a vignette as they are for serving cocktails when guests arrive. Purchase or craft your own decorative tray and fill it with TV remotes and decorative items, like colorful books, decorative accessories and a live plant or blooms clipped from the backyard.

get the how-to: How to Craft a Trendy Fabric-Covered Tray

From: H. Camille Smith

Rearrange Furniture for Cozy Convo

The easiest (and cheapest!) living room makeover of all is to work with what you already have. A new furniture arrangement will do wonders to update your living room's look and functionality. Grab a friend and start moving pieces around until you find an arrangement that's ideal for conversation or watching movies.

See More Photos: 55 Living Room DIYs to Tackle This Weekend

From: Terracotta Design Build

(Temporarily) Add an Accent Wall

Temporary wallpaper has come a long way from its early days. Today's temporary wall coverings look less like a giant sticker and more accurately recreate the look and texture of more expensive traditional pasted wallpaper. Pick the perfect paper for your space with one of our shoppable suggestions, below.

Go Shopping: 21 Beautiful Removable Wallpaper Designs Renters Should Know About

Sub a Bar Cart for a Side Table

Get more bang for your design buck by choosing furniture pieces that can do double duty — like this handy bar cart that's not only glam but can function as both a side table above and a bar below with plenty of storage for glassware, booze and mixers.

See More Photos: Bar Cart Essentials for Every Style

Add Nail-Head Trim

Give a plain-Jane ottoman the high-end treatment with these stylish little gems and a hammer. Available at fabric and craft stores, nail-head trim can be purchased as a continuous strip for a foolproof application or as separate nails for a more traditional look.

Get the how-to: Add Nail Head Trim to Furniture

From: Laurie DiGiacomo

Try This Easy End Table Upcycle

Turn one long wood bench into a pair of space-saving end tables with a designer trick that's a secret no more: French cleats. Our step-by-step instructions, below, explain how to put this handy designer trick to work in your living room.

get the how-to: Build Custom End Tables

Or, Sub a Trunk for a Coffee Table

Old wooden trunks are stowed away in many attics and often end up in yard sales or thrift stores at a great price. Give one an easy update simply by adding furniture casters to make it a charming (and mobile) storage piece for your living room.

get the how-to: Add Casters to an Antique Trunk for a Mobile Coffee Table

Add a Little Drama

While dark gray paint may feel oppressive if used on all four walls, it's a great choice for a feature wall. By painting just the area above the built-ins, this saturated shade draws attention to the living room's focal point: the fireplace. Take a tour of this tip-heavy home , featured in HGTV Magazine, below.

See More Photos: Tips and a Tour From Expert Renovators

From: HGTV Magazine

Divide and Conquer

A budget-friendly option for creating privacy and distinction between open-concept spaces in your home is by hanging curtains with a tension rod. Depending on your space, this option may work better than a room divider. Curtains can easily be pulled closed to hide the clutter and bring a soft, luxurious feel to any space. Check bargain stores for inexpensive ready-made draperies or stitch up your own.

From: Marcus Mohon Interiors

Work With What You Have

Rather than remove the room's original radiator to create more space, the interior designers at The New Design Project covered it with a decorative wooden ledge, creating a wide shelf for sunning plants and displaying books and knickknacks.

From: The New Design Project

Conquer the Clutter

If your living room is also the first room family enters, you're probably accustomed to seeing jackets, backpacks and books crowding the space. Tidy up and help kids stay organized by providing a dedicated area for stashing their toys and sports equipment. Natural basket drawers bring a neutral texture to the room and add extra storage to keep the space feeling relaxed and tidy.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Get Framed

Put leftover pieces of fabric or wallpaper to good use by popping them into ready-made frames fitted with basic white mats. Check craft stores and mass retailers for wallet-friendly options.

From: James Farmer

Give Ready-Made a Custom Touch

Give store-bought drapes a custom makeover by adding a panel of fabric that coordinates with your living room decor. If sewing isn't your strength, no-sew options include attaching wide ribbon or upholstery trim with fabric glue or simply taping off a section of the curtain and applying a block of fabric paint.

Get the how-to: Customize Ready-Made Draperies

From: Marie Flanigan Interiors

Invite Drama With Contrast Doors

Liven up your living room doors with a coat of contrasting paint. Go bold with moody hues like black or navy, or opt for an airier approach with subdued shades of taupe, rose or oatmeal. Bonus: This project takes two days max to complete and will totally transform the look of your space.

From: Tiffany Brooks

Modernize Lights With Matte Black Paint

Turn back time and give your outdated light fixtures a fresh look with matte black paint. Gold and brass hues are tricky to recreate using spray paint, but matte black is a failproof finish that will add crisp, modern contrast.

From: Kirsten Holmstedt

Light it up for Less

Instead of hitting the store for a run-of-the-mill lampshade, take a look at items you already have on hand. Here, an old trashed drum-style lampshade transforms into a trendy treasure simply by adding Greek key upholstery tape trim.

get the how-to: Easily Give an Old Lampshade a Trendy New Look

From: H. Camille Smith

Go for a Monochromatic Look

Dial up the drama in your living room or den by painting your ceiling and millwork to match your walls. The monochromatic approach will wrap the room with color and create an elevated, jewel box effect in your space. Pro tip: Use the same paint color in different finishes (like flat on the walls and ceiling and high-gloss on the millwork) to bring dimension to the design.

See More Photos: 40 Living Room Color Palettes You've Never Tried

From: Ashley Gilbreath

Or, Go High Contrast With Painted Trim

Take notes from the designers at Hendricks Churchill LLC and frame out your living room with punchy painted trim. Their country cottage living room sports glossy, olive green crown molding and window trim to accentuate the custom millwork featured throughout the design. All you need to recreate this striking look at home is a small amount of paint, a steady hand and a few hours to spare.

From: Hendricks Churchill LLC

Make a Perfect-Match Abstract

Stop window shopping overpriced artwork online and pull out your paintbrush instead. Put the forgotten leftover paint sitting in your garage from past home projects to work and create a one-of-a-kind piece that pairs seamlessly with your furnishings, walls or millwork.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Repurpose Bedside Lamps

Up the ambience in your den with a pair of new (to the room) side table lamps. Flank your sofa with your old, matching bedside table lamps to wash the space in soft, cozy light and bring symmetry to the design for a polished final look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Install Artistic Firewood Storage

Keep your firewood within reach and create a statement-making visual in one fell swoop by creating a unique firewood storage design. The designers at Steele Street Studio use this unique holder to draw the eyes up, accentuate the height of the room and bring natural texture to the white fireplace façade. Reimagine the holder at home or achieve a similar effect by storing stacked logs under a bench against the wall or in an open-weave basket next to the hearth.

From: Steele Street Studio

45 (Almost!) Free Living Room Updates

Related To:

Shop This Look

Time to Freshen Up the Family Room

Curate a Gallery Wall

Green Up Your Space

Create (Almost!) Free Art

Reimagine Your Existing Antiques

Paint Your Fireplace

Or, Paint Plain Furniture

Put Vacation Souvenirs on Display

Or, Put Family Memories on Display

Stencil Your Walls

Or, Stencil Your Curtains

Or, Even Stencil a Coffee Table Tray

Cue the Color With Pillows

Or, Toss In Some Color With a Throw

Give Your Pup a Cozy Perch

And, Craft a Kitty Scratchpad

Rearrange Your Bookcase

And, Rethink a Trashed Table

(Finally!) Hang Those Drapes

And, Finally Hang That Heavy Mirror

Bring In Beauties From Your Dining Room

Or, Display Kitchen Collectibles

Focus on the Floors

And, Don't Forget the Ceiling

Style a Stack on Your Coffee Table

Or, Corral Clutter With a DIY Tray

Rearrange Furniture for Cozy Convo

(Temporarily) Add an Accent Wall

Sub a Bar Cart for a Side Table

Add Nail-Head Trim

Try This Easy End Table Upcycle

Or, Sub a Trunk for a Coffee Table

Add a Little Drama

Divide and Conquer

Work With What You Have

Conquer the Clutter

Get Framed

Give Ready-Made a Custom Touch

Invite Drama With Contrast Doors

Modernize Lights With Matte Black Paint

Light it up for Less

Go for a Monochromatic Look

Or, Go High Contrast With Painted Trim

Make a Perfect-Match Abstract

Repurpose Bedside Lamps

Install Artistic Firewood Storage

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