10 Ways to Update Your Living Room for Under $250

Tired of your worn-out and dreary living room but don’t have the budget for a major redesign? I’ve got some great news – you can give that tired space a fresh new look for under $250 if you’re smart about it. As a designer on a budget, I’ve picked up all kinds of cheap little tricks to transform rooms. Let me walk you through my 10 best ways to update your living room that won’t break the bank.

Rearrange Your Existing Furniture ($0)

First things first, before you buy anything new, take a look at what you already have. You’d be amazed what a difference just moving your existing furniture around can make! Play around with different configurations – float pieces away from the walls, angle chairs diagonally across from each other to create cozy conversation nooks, try an asymmetrical or symmetrical layout.

Pay attention to traffic flow and make sure to maintain open pathways so you and your guests can easily move around. Clever furniture placement alone can totally change the vibe. While you’re at it, create dedicated chat areas for when guests come calling.

Things to do:

• Try different furniture layouts
• Consider the flow of traffic
• Create an area for conversations (seating no more than 8 feet apart)

Paint an Accent Wall ($30-40)

Now for my favorite go-to living room update – paint an accent wall. A bold, colorful focal wall works magic in making a blah space feel fun and put-together. For around $30-40 in painting supplies and a weekend of work, you can transform the entire feel.

Pro tip – choose a wall without windows or doors for the easiest painting job. Paint samples are your friend here! Test out a few colored options on the wall itself and view at different times of day to see how the lighting affects it before committing.

To make a bold impact, choose a sunny yellow to infuse cheer or for a more grounding ambiance, select an earthy green to bring the outdoors in. Get creative with paint techniques too – try rag rolling for some artsy texture if you’re feeling brave.

Things to do:

• Choose a wall without windows or doors
• Use a color that complements existing décor
• Consider your current lighting
• Test paint samples in your lighting environment
• Follow the 60-30-10 color rule

Add Strategic Lighting ($50-85)

Lighting steals the show when it comes to ambiance and can make a big impact on how a room feels. For anywhere from $50-75, you can illuminate and brighten forgotten corners. Add uplighting behind furniture to create a relaxing glow. Task lighting next to chairs helps avoid eyestrain during reading time.

Fun modern LED strip lights can accent architectural details or add bias lighting around the TV. Pay attention to lighting placement and height variation to take your living room from boring to brilliant. You can try inexpensive strip lights like these ones from Govee for about $15. [sponsored link]

Things to do:

• Place reading lamps near seats
• Use pairs of table lamps on end tables
• Install LED strip lighting under shelving or behind the TV for an atmospheric effect

Update Throw Pillows ($40)

You’d be surprised how much of a difference just switching out your throw pillows can make. With some strategic choices and smart shopping, you can completely change the aesthetic for $30-50. When selecting new pillows, opt for a thoughtful mix of patterns, textures and related colors to create visual interest. Follow the tried and true decorating rule of three by including one large scale graphic print, one smaller scale motif, and one textural solid.

Balance out geometric shapes with soft floral designs and mix textural solids like linen or velvet with tone-on-tone stripes. The right pillow combo tells a story and leads the eye around the room. I found these textured pillows from Andari at Home Depot for $15 each.

Consider seasonal needs when shopping too. Lightweight cottons in cheerful floral prints suit spring and summer style. Come fall, cozy up spaces with thicker woven textures, chunky knit pillows and rich colors like deep emerald and russet orange that complement the changing leaves outside your window.

The options don’t end with what’s on store shelves either. With some basic sewing skills or no-sew shortcuts, you can create custom pillows exactly suited to your taste by making removable covers. Iron on hem tape and envelope closures allow you to give pillows an instant makeover with no needle required. Or put together a basic envelope enclosure with straight seams that neatly hide the edges inside.

Layer With Textiles ($40)

Adding cozy textiles is an easy way to make your home feel warm, inviting and uniquely you for just $40-60. Start with throw blankets artfully draped over your sofa or folded on an ottoman to add a pop of color, texture and personality.

Choose lighter cotton throws for summer and snuggly wool ones for winter warmth. Or go for year-round blankets in materials like faux fur that work in any season. Casually drape for a lived-in look or crisply fold into a neat square. Coordinating blanket colors with your existing decor is key, but don’t be afraid to mix and match textures for visual interest.

Strategically placed area rugs also define spaces with style. Use larger rugs to ground a seating area or layer smaller rugs on top of carpets to zone spaces in an open floor plan. When selecting rugs, be sure to get the right size rug for the furniture you want it to anchor. Also, durable, easy-care materials are a must for high-traffic areas.

For windows, ready-made panels, no-sew curtains and Roman shades offer budget-friendly options even renters can install. Mount them high to draw the eye up and ensure full light control. Sheers hung behind other window treatments let in natural light while maintaining privacy. Follow these simple tips to easily layer your space with textiles that reflect your personal taste.

Create A Gallery Wall ($40)

Creating a gallery wall that really reflects your personality is fun and surprisingly affordable. The secret is curating a thoughtful collection of pieces – from family photos to vintage finds – that tell your story.

Start by thinking about the overall feel you want to capture. Browse online frame shops or sites like Etsy to find botanical prints, vintage travel posters, or even digitally-designed art that sparks inspiration. When printing photos or artwork, spring for quality paper and inks that accurately portray colors. You’ll be glad you did!

Next, gather some of your favorite family photos. Aim for a cohesive color scheme and range of sizes – some large statement pieces mixed with smaller 4×6 prints in coordinating frames. Play around with different layouts until you find a pleasing composition that fits the wall space. An organic arrangement can look modern and artistic.

Now comes the fun part – rummaging through thrift stores to discover potential gems. Scout for frames with clunky classic styling or unusual shapes to mix in. Even better if the craftsmanship is solid but they need some TLC. A few coats of metallic spray paint and suddenly you have an elegant accent frame on the cheap!

The end result is an artistic, personalized gallery wall that sparks conversation and memories whenever you pass by. For $20-30 and a bit of curating, you can create a warm, welcoming display that captures what you love.

Bring In Plants ($30)

Even if you’re not a big green thumb, you can start by choosing a few low-maintenance plants that can handle your home’s environment. Great options like snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and Chinese evergreens are hardy, long-living plants that don’t need much care. These are pretty low maintenance options that will do fine in low light and only need watering every 1-2 weeks when the soil is partly dry. They also suit a range of humidity levels and temperatures, making them ideal for beginners.

Now comes the fun part – picking planters to show off your new plants. You can buy nice pots, but DIY planters add personalized flair. Try painting basic terra cotta pots in fun colors, or upcycle old containers like tin cans or wooden crates for a vintage vibe. If the planter will be visible, make sure to coordinate colors and materials for a cohesive look. Styling tip: use height variety by pairing tall snake plants with lower trailing pothos in your arrangement.

When designing your plant display, think about where they will go and how you’ll style them. Corner plant groupings create an inviting nook, while a row of pots on a shelf or windowsill introduces natural elements.

For tablescapes, use a plant as a living centerpiece and play with scale by mixing small and large planters. Remember to vary heights, cluster pots in odd numbers, and consider each plant’s light needs. If you keep these basics in mind, you can create living decor that makes your space feel fresh.

Style Your Coffee Table ($25)

You can realistically style your coffee table for about $25 if you’re savvy. You can start with things you may already have, like large artsy books, travel guides in vibrant colors, or glossy design magazines to anchor your tablescape. Stack books of varying heights, coordinating by color or subject matter. Create little vignettes of 3-5 books, alternating orientations for visual interest.

Next up – decorative trays. Here’s where you can get crafty if you’re feeling it. Convert a frame into a tray, paint designs on a wooden one, or glue some mirrors onto a basic tray from a craft store. Use trays to corral smaller items like coasters, candles, or remotes. Group similar items together – a “lighting” tray with candles and matches or a “cozy” tray with fresh flowers from the garden, pinecones or other natural elements.

Finally, keep an eye out for unique decorative touches when thrifting. Mismatched vessels, small sculptures, vintage trinket boxes, pieces of driftwood – these special finds add lots of character. Style in themed groupings of three for maximum impact. Don’t overdo it and keep things to a minimum to avoid overcrowding. Vary textures and heights for dimension. Stick to one dominant color scheme for visual harmony.

Update Hardware And Fixtures ($30)

Give your home a mini-makeover with some simple hardware updates. A few small swaps can make a surprisingly big visual impact without a ton of effort or money. Let’s start with cabinet pulls. Swapping out your old, boring pulls for some trendy new ones adds a whole new look.

Go for a finished metal style that matches the other hardware finishes in your kitchen, like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. Make sure to measure properly so the new pulls fit the cabinet holes and use the included template so you drill any additional holes in the right spot. Take a minute to level out each new pull once mounted so your kitchen doesn’t end up looking crooked!

Next up – curtain rods. Upgrade those old metal or plastic rods to some sleek modern mineral rods or go for a more traditional look with nice decorative finials. Make sure to get the right length rods and extension for your windows. Mount them at the proper height just above the window frame and check that they are sturdy enough to hold your curtains. Level them carefully so your curtains will hang smoothly.

Finally, how about some new light switch plates? They make such a simple swap but really elevate a room’s style. Go for a cool designer shape or material, a fun painted pattern, or even a custom engraved plate. Just be sure whichever you choose fits properly and is installed cleanly. Test the light circuit thoroughly and make sure no wires are exposed for safety.

Clean up And Remove Clutter ($0)

These ideas maybe should have been number one on the list, but I didn’t think it was too exciting. There’s nothing like the sweet smell of a space that’s been deep cleaned. Shampoo those stained carpets, dust the ceiling fan blades, scrub walls and trim – a fresh blank slate helps your new décor shine.

In addition, give those tired throw pillows some TLC too. Spend an afternoon refilling and sewing up worn covers, or visit a craft store to make fun new pillows your grandma would envy!

Last but not least, contain the clutter. Get storage baskets and bins to corral kids’ toys, organize media centers and clear off tabletops. Minimizing visual chaos does wonders to help rooms feel put together.

Bonus Tip – Swap Out Some Décor Pieces

This is always a fun part – accessories! Art, mirrors, throw blankets, and window treatments – the options are endless for infusing personality. Raid thrift shops and yard sales to score deals on wall art and quirky finds. As previously mentioned, botanicals are a budget-saver, too – they liven up any spot instantly. Feel free to get playful with unexpected pops of color and patterns!

Budget Breakdown

Here’s a quick budget breakdown to help you with planning.

Total Cost Overview – Essential updates using a variety of the tips provided: Up to $250

Breakdown of costs:

• Furniture arrangement: $0
• Paint: $30-40
• Lighting: $50-85
• Textiles: $70-80
• Accessories: $45

Budgeting For Your Room Makeover

Everyone likes brand new items, but while budget shopping, it really pays to check for clearance items or at least a really good sale before buying anything. Checking sales at your favorite online stores can also help. You can also sign up for deal alerts at sites like Honey, Rakuten, or RetailMeNot for the newest clearance items.

When it comes to your budget, try buying gently used items from thrift stores, Facebook marketplace, Nextdoor or even your local garage or estate sales. You’d be surprised what you can find that looks like new and can save you a lot of money. When bargaining, don’t be afraid to offer less and trying to haggle to get the best deal possible can save you in the long run.

As you can see, you don’t need a large budget to make improvements to your living room. By updating based on your space’s needs and your own sense of style, you revamp your space for much less than you would think. Remember to:

• Start with free things you can do like furniture arrangement and cleaning
• Prioritize updates that make the biggest impact like paint and lighting
• Shop estate sales and thrift stores when possible to save money
• DIY where appropriate