
The Clutter Must Go
Before you even begin to clean, you must get rid of all of the clutter in your living room. First, remove anything that does not belong there. Toys, clothes, magazines and other items that do not add to the ambiance of the living room should be moved to another location. When all of the unnecessary miscellaneous items are removed, clean the space. After cleaning, you will able to notice what areas look dull, what touches need to be added and what items should remain the same.
The most important furniture in your living room is your couch. Be sure to position your couch according to the main focal point of the room. If you place your couch with its back to the entrance, visitors may feel more comfortable standing up than sitting. Also, limit the amount of bookshelves that you have in your living room. The taller the shelves, the more wall space they take up, creating the illusion of a smaller room. Adding the right table in the center of the room will also define the ambiance. For example, a glass table inspires elegance, while a wooden table inspires a more modern-style.
Create Strong Illusions
Get clearance paints from your local hardware store and choose a wall in your room to stand out. Having an accented wall will make your living room look more spacious and high-end. Mix up color combinations that complement each other. Avoid using all dark colors because they will only make your room appear smaller than it really is. Hang a large mirror on your wall, preferably across from the window so the light can reflect on it. If there is not much natural light in your living room, buy a lamp with different lighting options at the thrift store. Light can create the illusion of space and sophistication, while generating calm and happiness.
Freshen Up the Old
If your couches are not in the best condition, you can purchase slipcovers to make them look fresh and new. Another way to spruce up your old couch is to decorate it with pretty, simple pillows. Instead of getting rid of your old, colored blinds, just add lace curtains to make the room look lighter and more comfortable. For a decorative touch, place a rug with eclectic, experimental designs on your floor to draw people’s attention when they first enter the room. Keep your old end tables but just change what you place on them. Throw out your artificial plants and replace them with real plants or flowers to add life to your living room.
A tiny budget may not give you much room for trial and error, but it does allow you to reign in your ideas. You don’t have to throw out your old furniture or buy all new art pieces in order to spruce up your living room. Before you hit the store for cost-effective items, you can shop in your own home for pieces that would make your living room more appealing. With the right attitude and creativity, you can use your tiny budget to revamp your living room to perfection.
Post contributed by Emma Lamb on behalf of Wish Days (http://wish.co.uk/)