Your living room might be the most used space in your home — your gathering area, your binge-watching headquarters, your office sometimes, and yes, even your dining room on occasion.
But all that use, and the wear and tear on your furniture, can leave your living room feeling uninspired at best — and old and worn-out at worst.
The smartest way to deal with a dull living room? Give it a refresh. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend much to make a big difference in the look and feel of your space. Try these designer-approved strategies to quickly and affordably update your living room.
Take a hard look at your space
Before you start redecorating, analyze your space with a critical eye and look for problem areas. Is there too much clutter making it feel crowded? Are your couch cushions falling apart (literally)? Does the paint color no longer appeal to you?
Identify what’s bothering you most so you know where to focus your design efforts.
Rearrange your furniture
Get ready for a workout! A new furniture layout might be the fix your boring living room needs. “Rearranging the layout can give you a fresh perspective on the space and help you see what you already own in a new way,” says Liz Goldberg, founder and creative director of CAROLYNLEONA.
Try a fresh coat of paint
Just about every designer we spoke to praised a fresh coat of paint as a quick and cost-effective transformation.
As for color? White was the top choice. “We love choosing a creamy white paint and using it on the walls, ceiling, and trim — all in the same color but with different finishes,” says Goldberg. “We like a matte finish on walls if there’s little traffic, or an eggshell finish when there’s a lot of activity or kids running around.”
Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design highly recommends Sherwin-Williams’ Pure White. “The trick is to get the flat finish — it brightens the space instantly, removes shine from walls, and it’s the purest white I’ve ever found. It doesn’t shift to blue, gray, yellow, or pink in different lighting, which is rare for white paint.”
Paint isn’t just for walls. If you’ve got a worn side table or coffee table, you can always paint the piece for a bold new look.
Refresh your furniture
If your furniture has seen better days — sagging cushions, stained or fraying covers, chipped or scratched finishes — your living room will look tired. Lily Li, senior design consultant at BoConcept, suggests regularly fluffing or rotating cushions to keep their shape and steam-cleaning or washing slipcovers for a refresh.
For very flat cushions, let them air out in the sun on a warm day — the heat can help deodorize and fluff them. (Flip them to freshen both sides!) Be mindful of fading if you have colored cushions.
If damage is beyond repair but you’re not ready to part with your sofa, consider a slipcover. “Covering a worn-out sofa with a fresh, neutral shade — like crisp linen or textured cotton — can completely transform the biggest piece in the room,” says Vyanca Soto, owner and principal designer at Market Studio Interiors in Fullerton, California.
Add in one new furniture piece
You don’t need to buy all new furniture — just introducing one new piece (even borrowed from another room) can make the space feel updated. “Rooms often feel dated when everything is purchased from the same store instead of mixing pieces for a curated look,” says Goldberg. “We love a space that doesn’t feel overly matched — two different sofas and a coffee table that’s not identical to the end table.”
Don’t be afraid to go in a different direction than what’s already in the room. “Today’s spaces are all about unique pieces with layers of textures and tones,” says Thea Bloch-Neal, founder and lead designer of Curated by Thea. “Think bouclé, stripes, velvet, and warm woods.”
Let go of the rug
Rugs are often the first place to show wear, especially if you have kids or pets, says Alix. If yours is looking tired, you might remove it or consider replacing or even pulling up wall-to-wall carpeting.
No budget for a new rug or floor? “A great budget-friendly way to refresh a carpeted living room is to layer a rug over the existing carpet,” says Alix. “There’s nothing wrong with that — it instantly brings new life to the space and helps better define the area.”
Rearrange and update your collections
Your living room won’t feel complete without art or curated objects. But your displays might be a little stale. Goldberg recommends grouping a collection of one type of item — like beautiful books or globes — for high visual impact.
And don’t be afraid to “shop” your other rooms — your favorite vacation shells might be the special touch your coffee table needs. “Sometimes just reimagining what you already have can make a big difference,” says Li.
Rethink your accessories
If a major overhaul isn’t in the cards, small accents like throw pillows, curtains, or blankets can be surprisingly effective. “Swapping out old pillows for modern, textured options — think stonewashed linens, bouclé in soft tones or subtle prints — instantly refreshes the room and is the quickest way to give a space a polished, modern look,” says Soto.
Update your lighting
Overhead lighting is definitely outdated — investing in new fixtures can change everything. “Lighting is crucial,” says Bloch-Neal. “Instead, focus on softer accent lighting. Distinctive table and floor lamps not only enhance the space but also act as sculptural design elements that make a strong statement.”
Edit the clutter
It might just be too much stuff and too little space making your living room feel drab. “Editing is everything,” says Soto. “Often, it’s not about adding more, but removing the right things. Look at your space with fresh eyes and ask: what feels heavy, cluttered, or disconnected? Clearing visual clutter, introducing negative space, and layering in a few thoughtful, tactile pieces gives the room breathing room — and that’s what makes a home feel modern, personal, and effortlessly luxurious.”
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
