We all have a vision of the perfect home. Those design ideas that would look great if we ever renovated. However, most people are hesitant to jump into those design ideas because of the expense involved. Fortunately, you may be able to do more than you realize with a little learning and a few construction tools. The following tips and ideas will help you design your living room without breaking the bank.
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Paint Is Big and Cheap
source: realsimple.com
One of the simplest ways to make a big difference in a room is to repaint it. A lot of people tend to play it safe with their paint, opting for off-white, neutral colors. Switching things up can make a world of difference. Your walls and ceiling are like huge canvases. They are a great place to start if you want to refresh a room.
Consider opting for an accent wall. This is a relatively easy way to make your room feel a little more energetic. Plus, you may be able to make space feel larger with the right choice of accent.
Find Inexpensive Sources of Décor
source: home-designing.com
There are plenty of places that you can get some relatively inexpensive new decorative items for your living room. As a starting point, shop around your home. Take a look at some of the décor you have elsewhere and try reimagining some of your placement. You may be able to reorganize your décor to create a more cohesive feel in a few different rooms.
Another great place to look is with local artists. If you have a college or university in your area, try contacting the art department. You can find a lot of very talented artists who are willing to sell their paintings relatively inexpensively. Some artists may be willing to do commissions for the cost of materials and minimum wage. Compared to other sources of original artwork, that is a steal.
Think About Your Main Areas of Use
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Which parts of your living room do you use the most? If you are thinking about making any furniture or fixture upgrades, you can save a little money by only shelling out for the most important items. For example, if you have a seating area that is the central focus of your living room, that is a great place to start.
Consider going to a nice furniture store to get your couch, for example. However, if you need a table that is going to do little more than hold a lamp, you could get that second-hand or from a big box store. You can trim your budget by being selective.
DIY Some Furniture Upgrades
source: realsimple.com
If you are a little handy, you can either upgrade or build some furniture yourself with a few construction tools and materials. You don’t have to start from scratch. For example, you could buy a used coffee table and refinish it. Alternatively, you could change the hardware (handles, hinges, etc.) on some of your furniture to give it a fresh new look.
Other ways to do-it-yourself include creating new covers for your throw pillows or reupholstering the seat cushion on a wooden chair. Many of these jobs may sound intimidating at first. However, they are relatively easy to learn if you are willing to be patient and start small.
Remember the Lighting
source: freshome.com
Above, we mentioned that changing the color of the walls can have a big impact on the feel of the room. If there is one thing even more impactful than paint, it is lighting. Light affects how we perceive everything. So, you want to get the lighting right.
If your room gets a lot of natural light, consider getting some night, light window dressings that can add to the airy, natural feel of the room. If you use your living room after dark frequently, get some soft lampshades that will give the room a gentle, relaxed glow. You can also create some atmosphere with a few candles.
Get Organized
source: mofurnishings.com
If you want a completely free way to reimagine your living room, invest some time into organizing it. Spend a day going through all the items in the room. Decide whether you want to keep them, move them, or get right of them.
Planning a new organizational system will help you fall back in love with your living room. When everything has its place, your home will feel much prettier and more enjoyable. You can also consider adding some new organizational systems such as built-in shelves.
Get the Supplies You Need
source: sherwin-williams.com
If you want to reimagine your interior design, you can do it even with a small budget. The key is to get creative with how you source your items. Plus, the more that you learn to do yourself, the tighter your budget can be. With some construction tools and other supplies from Engineer Supply, you will be ready to take on even the biggest home improvement projects.
