Living Large: How to upgrade your living room on a limited budget
While kitchens often get the glory as the command centers of the home, it’s arguable that just as much time is spent in the living room. However, if your living room doesn’t feel like it fits your lifestyle or taste, it can be hard to use it properly or feel like you want to spend time there. It can become an underutilized space rather than a cherished one. That is amplified when you don’t know where to start to make a change or if you have a limited budget.
Arianne Bellizaire, an interior designer based in Baton Rouge, La., and CEO of design firm Arianne Bellizaire Interiors, promises that good design is achievable at any budget. “You can make an impact at any price point if you have focus and intention,” Bellizaire says. If you’re handy, a little sweat equity to save on labor costs doesn’t hurt, either. Here’s how to update your living room at three different budgets, according to experts:
BUDGET: $500 OR LESS
Stephanie Schlegelmilch, founder of Studio Seva, a multidisciplinary design firm in Westport, Conn., says that accessories should be the main focus if you only have a few hundred dollars to spend. To create cohesion, she says to “make sure your color cues all come from the same thread.” Spread color throughout the room via pillows, lampshades, blankets and other soft goods.
Jessica Davis, principal at Atlanta-based interiors firm Atelier Davis, says to look for accessories on Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, antique stores, thrift shops and vintage boutiques. These are the go-to places to find unique and well-made items for less. Bellizaire says that doing the searching is part of the fun — and what makes a home feel like you. “You want your space to feel unique to you. Hunting (for things) can help you find something that’s not saturated in the market,” she says.
BUDGET: $1,000 OR LESS
Paint can do a lot if your budget is closer to $1,000. Schlegelmilchlikes to do an entire room in one color for impact. “We paint the walls, ceiling and trim all one color, just in different finishes. Think matte, flat and satin: matte on the walls, flat on the ceiling and satin on the trim,” she says. While you can paint it yourself, Schlegelmilch says that hiring a professional painter is money well spent for prep work, especially if you are painting trim.
Davis also likes to use paint creatively to open up living spaces. “You can stop your paint three-quarters of the way up the wall to create some architectural interest, and swap to a new color above and on the ceiling — it’s the fourth wall,” she says. Anything left over can go towards accessories or a focal piece such as a fireplace mantel. Schlegelmilch likes to refresh mantels on the cheap by limewashing them or adding a plaster finish.
Bellizaire advises prioritizing rugs and draperies. “Level up your rug by bringing in a print or going for a larger size. It’s going to make a big difference,” she says. While custom draperies cost a lot, custom-looking draperies don’t have to break the bank, especially if you know how to sew. Bellizaire and Davis love taking store-bought or pre-made drapes and adding personality at the edges through ribbon, trim or fabric.
BUDGET: $5,000 OR LESS (OR MORE)
At the $5,000 mark, it’s time to reevaluate furniture such as couches, side chairs and coffee tables, according to Davis. While some pieces can be re-covered, Bellizaire stresses the importance of investing in structurally sound furniture. “A good quality sofa won’t end up in a landfill in three years, and you should be able to get 20 years out of it,” she says. Schlegelmilch also suggests considering new overhead and task lighting.
Also, a professional interior designer is not out of reach. Many offer hourly consultations, and you can book as little as 15 minutes on websites like The Expert and The Intro if you have a single question or need advice on one thing. “Have your priorities clear to maximize time,” Davis says. Be prepared by having specific problems identified, a list of questions, photos and measurements ready.
Bellizaire says to focus less on colors and furniture and more on pain points like planning for oddly shaped spaces. “Designers are solving problems. We don’t want to spend 30 minutes trying to figure out the problem and only 30 minutes figuring out the solutions,” she says. “We want to make sure your home rises to the occasion and makes you feel the way you want to feel more than how it looks. That’s the value.”