You may have been planning on upgrading your living room for months. Unfortunately, bills often keep adding up, so it’s difficult to do what you want on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to improve your living room without spending a lot of money.
Here are some frugal ways to improve your living room.
1. Add a few floating shelves.
When you are designing your new living room, try to find ways to make it more convenient for you and your family. Adding some floating shelves is a great way to save time bending over and minimize stress on your back and joints.
You can find floating shelves at Home Depot, Pottery Barn, WayFair, Target, and many other online stores. You can buy them for as little as $29.99.
2. Put up a couple of chalkboards.
It doesn’t take much time or money to put up a few chalkboards in your living room. They can also add a little décor and entertainment. Many people enjoy doodling with their friends and children. You can also use them to play a couple games of Pictionary or share quick messages (like reminding your kids to take out the trash when they get home from school).
Price range varies considerably, so it’s important to shop around. If you buy an Uttermost Cafe de la Tour chalkboard with a matching clock from ClockWay, then you will need to pay $151. You can also find a similar-sized chalkboard from Walmart for only $23.
3. Buy pictures from a thrift store.
Old pictures can add a unique charm to your home. The nice thing about them is that you can usually get great deals at a thrift store. You can probably find some great pictures for $10 or less. They may not be contemporary, but there is nothing wrong with that!
4. Buy discount furniture.
Buying furniture will cost a bit more than most of the other options listed here, but it can go a long way. The trick is to buy sofas at a great discount. If you shop carefully, you can save 20% or more from the original price. Make sure to keep your eyes open for great deals.
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5. Buy some colored pillows.
You probably bought matching pillows with your sofa. Do you really want them, though? Most people insist on making everything match without considering other options. The truth is that finding a different colored pillow may be a better way to go. If you have a dark blue chaise lounge sofa, you may want to buy a bright orange pillow. It will really add some character because it will stand out a lot more.
The cost of sofa pillows also ranges quite a bit, even if you are comparing options from the same retailer. You can usually find some great deals from Kohl’s and other department stores for as little as $8.99.
6. Get some large mirrors.
Mirrors are probably the simplest addition to any living room, but they can really do wonders. They add dimension, character, and energy to the room.
You may need to shop for them used to find a decent deal. New mirrors from Pottery Barn, Kohl’s, and even Walmart tend to cost at least $100. However, you can usually buy used mirrors for $10 or less. Used mirrors will usually look older and more tinted, but they work great if you want to give your living room a more rustic touch.
7. Make homemade lamps.
Are you having trouble finding a nice, cheap lamp? You may want to consider making your own! A couple of years ago, Camille Smith shared a couple of renovation ideas with Home and Garden Television. One of her ideas was to make a homemade lamp with materials that you can find around your home. She showed a picture of a lamp that was made out of a small globe and a couple of children’s toys.
You will need a little artistic inspiration to make a decent lamp for your living room. However, if you rack your brain you can make a unique lamp without spending a dime.
Featured photo credit: Pexels via pexels.com
