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Posted on: March 2, 2009

More Than Meets the Eye

Start actually living in the living room with budget-friendly ideas and practical advice

By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features

Image courtesy Doug Wilson

Think the economy is so bad that the only exciting thing you can afford to do in your living room is watch paint peel? Think again.

With a little imagination and even less money, there are plenty of ways to liven up your living room, design experts say.

"People always want to save whenever they can. I know I do," says Susie Coelho, a La Canada, Calif.-based lifestyle expert, television host and best-selling author. "It doesn't mean that everything has to be 'cheap.' I don't suggest buying a bunch of 'cheap' items, especially furniture. But save whenever you can. I found a beautiful vintage crystal chandelier recently for $350 at a consignment store. It's worth at least $2,500, so the idea is 'value' for your money. That is what you should focus on! Value."

Coelho says many inexpensive items for the living room can be found at garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores and regular store sales. Or hold your own garage sale and use the money you make to buy a few new things.

"The easiest way to get a new look is to add accessory items like decorative pillows, candles and throws as well as a new centerpiece bowl or vase in a fresh new color palette," says Coelho, who designs an exclusive line of home furnishings for the Grandin Road catalog (www.grandinroad.com).

Here are more budget-friendly ideas to spruce up your living room from Coelho and a few other design experts, including interior designer Alexandra Sale of Design On Sale in Covington, Ky., (www.designonsale.com) and Deborah Lloyd Forrest, FASID, principal at Dallas-based ForrestPerkins (www.forrestperkins.com).

Brush Up

"Painting is the least expensive, most [effective] thing you can do for the money," says Sale. "Get really good paint." And make sure you paint the ceiling, too, Sale says. "Dark colors on a ceiling will make your ceiling recede, which makes your ceiling look higher."

Pillow Talk

Add colorful or seasonal pillows. "Sources such as West Elm, Pottery Barn, Chiasso and Crate & Barrel offer new looks every season," says Forrest. "Adding pillows to a sofa or chair can create a new look for little expense."

Hit the Delete Button

"Just 'delete' items, move things around, eliminate some furniture pieces," Coelho suggests. "You will be surprised at how easily you can change the look."

Walk this Way

Add a new rug. "There are many economical sources that feature highly decorative, well-made rugs in natural fibers, many for under $500," Forrest says. "A dramatic geometric pattern can wake up a monochromatic room with design pizzazz and color."

Lighten Up

"You don't even have to buy new lamps to get a new look," says Forrest. "Add colored shades to a chandelier or change an outdated flared shade for a newer looking straight shade."

Mirror, Mirror

"Adding mirrors with interesting frames contributes sparkle and drama to a room," Forrest says. "Choose mirrors with gilt frames, painted frames or add interesting bits such as shells or faux jewels to an existing picture frame, pop a mirror inside the frame and you have an economical addition to your wall decor."