Last Updated on January 11, 2025 by Tanya Janse van Rensburg
The living room is appropriately named because it’s essentially the room where the whole household can come together and simply exist.
Its function isn’t beyond being a relaxing and comfortable space, whether you have guests or simply want to chill out at the end of a long day.
Unlike heavily functional rooms like the kitchen or the bathroom, the living room is often lower on the priority list of rooms needing renovation.
That means that by the time you have the time or the budget to get to your living room, it might be outdated or not to your taste.
So, here are a few ways to make your living room new again.
The walls of your living room are a bit like a canvas.
There are plenty of options for personalizing your room, and it doesn't take much time or money.
Even better, if you have a free weekend, you can do this and avoid paying decorators.
The first option is to paint the walls. Explore different paint colors first so you can consider your options.
If you like how your walls look, a small tin of the old color can refresh them when they get scuffed or dirty.
Otherwise, you can switch up the color of your room with a bright feature wall that contrasts with the more neutral colors on the other walls.
Another option is to decorate your walls using wallpaper.
Wallpaper can be as plain or exciting as you like; it's a matter of taste.
As with paint, you can mix and match your wallpaper for a more exciting and personal result.
If the walls make up the canvas of your living room, what about the floors?
The floors can often go unnoticed, but if you’re unhappy with your flooring, it might be the first thing you notice, and not for the right reasons.
Old flooring can even be unsafe if it’s uneven or damaged in some way.
Older carpets can be even worse because they’re difficult to clean and can harbor mold or other issues.
In this case, replacing your home’s flooring is vital. Otherwise, it can be nice to change pace and style.
The right flooring for your living room depends on the climate and preferences.
Carpets are standard in cold climates because they’re cozy and lovely to walk on.
However, hardwood floors are a classic option that can always be warmed with a rug.
These floors are also easy to look after, although it pays to research the best way to care for them if you get natural wood floors.
Laminate floors and tiles are another, sometimes cooler, inexpensive option for your living room.
They are even more accessible to maintain because you can clean them when needed.
If you have a lot of empty floor space, don’t be afraid to throw a rug down to break things up.
A carpet will also preserve the flooring and provide a temporary change.
Changing the layout of a room can make it feel like a completely different room.
The most expensive and obvious way to do this is to physically alter the design of the walls.
If you have a large, expansive room, you can add dividing walls to split it up.
Or, if you want an open-plan layout, you can knock down non-supporting walls for a bright and airy feel.
As you live there, there’s no right or wrong way to lay out your home. Smaller rooms tend to be cozier and more private, while larger rooms are brighter and cooler.
Large, open-plan houses can also be more practical for different needs, although it’s harder to find a quiet corner of the house.
Moving the furniture is the simplest way to change the layout without spending much on renovation.
Large pieces of furniture have a very noticeable effect on how a room feels.
You can even make a room feel smaller by moving the furniture away from the walls and into the middle, breaking up the floor space.
Or, if you want to open a room up, move the sofas nearer to the walls.
Installing a fireplace is one of the best ways to heat your room and add bags of character.
Several options are available, depending on the vibe you want from your home and the amount of work you want to put into it.
A modern and straightforward option is to install a media wall fireplace.
This fireplace is as simple as flipping a switch or pressing a button.
You can have both heat and an excellent show on the wall.
You can make it look like a classic fireplace or change things with different media. This is a cheap and easy way to heat your room.
If you want a classic and old-fashioned approach, you can install a wood-burning stove or an open fire.
In this case, you must keep the fireplace clean and clear of ashes, and whenever you want to heat the room, you need to light the fire yourself. Still, there’s something very welcoming about a proper fire.
For the middle ground option, you can always have a gas fire.
It’s easy to light, and you get real flames, but some people don’t like the aesthetics as much.
You must also keep gas around for fuel, which might be more difficult for newer properties.
Soft furnishings and large pieces of furniture turn an empty room into a functional part of your home.
Seating is probably the most important thing to consider for a living room, as it allows everyone to relax in each other’s company.
You want comfortable seats for everyone and, ideally, enough room for guests.
Above all, furniture should be comfortable, but it also helps to like it.
Getting sofa covers and throws is an easy way to change chairs and sofas without buying new furniture.
This will add to the all-important comfort factor, allowing you to personalize your room even more.
It’s much cheaper and easier than getting new furniture whenever you fancy a change.
It also helps to have furniture that’s easy to clean.
If you have children or pets, you might accept that your home doesn’t look like a show home.
It’s okay for your property to be lived in. However, look for soft furnishings that you can wash without concern about stains or other issues.
A centerpiece item might be perfect if you want your living space to feel like your home. This centerpiece can be whatever you like.
Many people have television as the unintended centerpiece of their home because it’s what their furniture is pointed at.
Instead, a centerpiece should be personal to you.
A piano is an excellent example because it can be beautiful and functional.
Even if you don’t play as often as you like, this will tell your guests something about you and your interests.
The centerpiece might also be found on vacation or in an antique store. It might be old and quirky or modern and stylish.
It doesn’t matter what this item is, as long as it’s something you love.
So, what will bring the living room together and make it yours?
Well, this is where you put those more minor finishing touches in.
Collecting little decorative pieces can take time, but making your living room feel like yours is worthwhile.
For example, paintings, mirrors, and other wall art are great additions to any room. Your walls are a canvas, so don’t leave them blank.
Whether you prefer sleek, modern wall art or something a bit more old-fashioned, try to have fun with it.
The great thing about wall art is that you can move it around or switch it out from different rooms. You don’t have to get bored.
The same applies to things like sofa cushions.
Change the covers now and then. Switch out rugs and throws.
Collect ornaments you love, and move them around when you want to change the arrangement.
You can collect new ornaments or remove old ones when you want to declutter. There’s no wrong way to decorate.
After all, it’s your living room, and you might as well live in it.
Revitalizing your living room can be a simple and rewarding process.
With these changes, you can breathe new life into your living room and create a space that feels uniquely yours.
