Skip to main content

Inspiration for a chic living room makeover your friends will love

white living room
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Room makeovers can be daunting. Where should you splurge? What are some easy ways to get a new look without changing everything? Since the living room is the entertaining hub of many homes, giving the space a fresh update is a sure way to get a lot of impact. Follow these tips to transform yours into a place where friends will not only feel welcome but will also be oohing and aahing.

Have a seat

Perhaps the most important element in the living room, the sofa is where you should splurge. The scale is vital when selecting — make sure the couch you choose is the right size for the space you have. A neutral fabric offers flexibility down the line and allows you to play with patterns and colors in other places.

Think color

A fresh coat of paint will give any space new life. For minimal dollars and in one day, a new hue can transform the room. Think about how you want it to feel — bold, serene, festive, comforting — this will lead you to the scheme. Designers have continued to move away from the grays from a few years ago. These days, it is all about bringing the outside in. As a result, popular colors include rich greens and blues. Whites are also trending as they offer a clean, fresh slate that works well in both modern and rustic aesthetics.

For even more pop, consider adding a wallpaper accent or mural on a feature wall. This is a great way to call attention to and highlight a feature such as a fireplace or built-in. It will give your space a customized feel and allows you to bring in the base wall color and introduce coordinating hues that can be used throughout the space to add depth to the design.

Add in fresh accessories

Don’t have the budget for a total overhaul? Spruce up your living room by adding some accents to amp up the look. A rug in a bold pattern can serve as a work of art on the floor. On the other hand, a sisal floor covering can give the room texture and acts as a great neutral base to play with. With fresh throw pillows and coordinating artwork, your room will have a whole new vibe. Decorative accessories should be mindfully selected — what you don’t want to create is clutter. Always think about balance throughout and place like items in groupings of three or five.

When selecting accents, always make sure they are the right proportion for the space. A small-scale painting on a large expanse of wall will get lost. This is especially important when selecting rug size. If you are going to invest in one, it should match the size of the room or the conversation area. A good rule of thumb when measuring for an area rug is to leave 4 to 8 inches of the floor on each side.

colorful living room
Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Don’t forget the lighting

An afterthought in many projects, the power of good lighting is often underestimated. Bringing in new lighting elements can dramatically elevate a design, highlighting the best features and minimizing others. One important thing to remember is that no two spaces are alike — the amount of natural light, the ceiling height, and the room dimensions will all play a part in lighting a space.

The key to a great lighting design is layering. Translation — a solitary ceiling fixture is not going to cut it. To take your space to the next level, add multiple sources of light. Pot or can lights will brighten any space and make it feel updated. For a room that gets a lot of sunlight, a chandelier or pendant is a great option because it will provide light but can be dimmed. Sconces add visual interest to walls and can be used to bring out certain features such as a fireplace mantle. When hardwiring is not an option, scatter table and floor lamps throughout. This will bring warmth to the room and another design element that adds height and drama.

Infuse nature into the room

Bringing in some organic elements warms up any space. The trend today is bringing the outdoors in. Plants can come in all shapes and sizes, making them ideal for any room. Have plenty of floor space? Add a large potted plant such as a fiddle leaf fig tree, olive tree, or bamboo palm. Working with a small space? A small coffee table or hanging plant is the way to go. Incorporating greenery is not only a great design element, it also cleans the air and has been shown to reduce stress.

Editors' Recommendations

Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
Want a luxe living room or bedroom? Upgrade your TV wall with an IKEA fave and this easy DIY project
Use this IKEA TV stand idea from TikTok to upgrade your entertainment center
Luxury beige wall living room, modern flat television on brown wood panel wall, gray leather sofa, mid century style shelf in sunlight from window white sheer curtain for interior design background 3D

 

There are several living room trends that aim to add a luxe touch to our interiors, especially when it comes to dressing up the TV and TV stand. TVs can be a bit of an eyesore in the home, especially in modern designs that beg for more simplicity and elegance. While there are several fantastic trends like the picture frame TV or the classic built-in consoles that hide the TV behind a cabinet door, this idea from TikTok helps dress up the space without draining your wallet.

Read more
Zillow says these are the 2024 home design trends to watch (and the ones on their way out)
Zillow shares the home design features that are trending and those that aren't for 2024 interiors
Brown living room walls with neutral color palette design

A recent release from Zillow highlights some of the home design trends that today's buyers crave and some that are slowly falling out of style. Zillow analyzed some of the most popular keywords added to home listing descriptions to identify trends that homeowners are searching for.

"When certain keywords appear in a rising share of listings, it's a signal that today's home buyers may be gravitating toward those features," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert, in the Zillow press release.

Read more
5 breathtaking dining room paint colors that add a luxe touch to your home
Wondering what color to paint your dining room? Try one of these amazing paint tones
Moody rich gray dining room wall color for an elegant look

If you’re looking for a way to refresh your dining room, adding a new paint color can spruce up your walls and create a luxe feel in your space. While it’s easy to slack on your dining room design, leaving it feeling dull or uninspired, being intentional with your paint colors could transform your room. From rich browns to deep jewel tones, creating a luxe dining space is all about using color to create an elegant and sophisticated touch. If you've overlooked this crucial detail for creating a seamless dining room design, maybe now is the time to consider refreshing the look of your space with a fresh coat of paint.

Here, we give you five breathtaking dining room paint colors and tips on how to style them to help inspire you to create a luxurious look in your home.

Read more