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Quick and Easy Ways to Refresh a Living Room

Updated: Jan 12


Does the widening gap between what your home looks like and what you always imagined it to be keep you up at night? And then you find yourself scrolling through Pinterest—pinning images of what the home you imagined would look like? But as the morning sun rises and you get out of bed, you realize you don’t have the budget—or the desire—for a complete overhaul. Or perhaps you plan to move out in the future, so you don’t want to spend too much on this home.


That’s when a quick refresh will help. Not all interior design ideas need a big amount of money—especially easy upgrade ideas. When this is the case, the best place to start is your living room. After all, that’s where you spend a large chunk of your day. And also entertain your guests. Keep reading for some quick and easy ways to refresh a living room! (Don’t worry—they won’t draw too much from your pocket 😁)


Add Slipcovers to Your Furniture



If you’re in a love-hate relationship with your sofa—you appreciate the functionality it offers but don’t quite like how it sits in your living room—dress it up! You’d most likely not be in the market for a new sofa (if you are, you want to check out these sofa trends 2025 beforehand!), so give your existing piece a new outfit. Read: A new slipcover. As a bonus, slipcovers are so much more practical and environmentally responsible than buying new sofas merely for aesthetic reasons.


Focus on the Coffee Table


Price: $28


That piece isn’t just functional. It can really tie your space together, especially when you echo finishes from this centerpiece all across the room. Say, you have a silver coffee table with a metallic sheen. Repeat this in different areas of your home—by, for example, using ornamental candleholders gathered on a neutral serving tray. This is one of the cheapest ways to make your living room luxurious!


The above featured silver candle holders are one decent pick, especially because they’re such a steal right now. Pair them with the Blomus Moon Tray for a stunning setting. You can also find plenty of reasonable options on Amazon, like these gold candlestick holders (for under $15).



Shop Thrift Stores, Flea Markets, Garage Sales, etc.



You’re totally missing out if you haven’t been to a thrift store before. You’d be surprised to know how many unique things you can find there! Most of the time, preloved furniture doesn’t even look like it’s been used before. And if you find a coffee table that isn’t in the best condition—it can work as a vintage piece.


Sourcing from such spots is so much less expensive. And mixing in secondhand (read: vintage) pieces can help build character into a space. In fact, if everything is new, it’s easy for it to lack personality. If you notice, most likely, the spaces you like are filled with items that have been collected over time. (This justifies why redecorating is a process, not an event).


Sell Extra Stuff


Trust us—decluttering is as important as adding new decor that reflects your taste. Clear out everything in your living room that you don’t need. Find what you can sell for a good price and list it on a platform like eBay. You can also post on your social media—most likely, you will get the asking price from a friend. Anything that doesn’t sell…donate!


Update Artwork


Price: $70

Shop: Homary


If you’re stuck in a style rut, updating the artwork in your living room can help. For a quick fix, keep the frames you already have, and change out the images for new artwork (in compatible sizes). This is an easy way to get an updated look on a little budget.


But if you do decide to spend—artwork, by the way, is easy to take down and take into your new home—you can find plenty of pieces under $100. Case in point: The Japandi piece featured above, great to add texture to the most bland spaces.


Rearrange the Furniture



If you’ve got an hour or two to spare—and don’t want to reach out to that wallet—rethink your living room arrangement. Pull your sofa away from the wall. Or think out of the box, like bringing your wicker patio furniture inside. A new arrangement can instantly change the feel of a space and revitalize the room.


Punch Up the Throw Pillows


Price: $21


If you don’t have throw pillows, we highly recommend buying a few. They make a space feel so well decorated. They’re also one of the cheapest ways to decorate for different seasons—so you get a unique ambiance as the leaves turn yellow or when the flowers bloom.


For a more budget-friendly option, you can stick to your existing cushions and swap out their covers. They’ll look as good as new.


Lay a Rug


Price: $299 (for 5'3" x 7'9")


A rug can change the entire feel of a home, even without changing the furniture or painting the walls. If you’re feeling it, you can layer a smaller rug on an oversized area rug. This creates dimension in size and color as well as texture!


Take the Samra rug above, for example. It single-handedly adds color and pattern to the space and makes the whole living room feel like a design statement. Plus, a rug is another one of the items that are easy to pack up and carry along when and if you decide to move.


Reupholster a Chair



If you’re feeling a little more crafty than a slipcover, consider reupholstering a chair and making it the accent piece. After all, updating living room decor starts with the textiles. So, if you have a worn chair that has good bones, rescue it with new upholstery. Choose a fun fabric and use your skills to give flea market finds a contemporary look. Also, be sure to save scraps—they can be used for a pillowcase, framed as artwork, etc.


Here’s our guide on how to reupholster a chair plus some cool ideas for inspiration.


Pay (a Little) Attention to the Window Treatments



You wouldn’t need brand-new blinds to upgrade your living room’s window treatments. You can also go for smaller changes, such as:


  • Give existing curtains a pom-pom trim

  • Paint the rods a new color (black for luxury)

  • Add new tiebacks

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