6 Small Living Room Upgrades That Make An Impact

There comes a time when you take a look around your living room and think that it needs a facelift or new identity. If you are ready for a style refresher or upgrade, read on for some tips, tricks, and ideas to make your living room feel like a new and exciting space that is relaxing, inspiring, and fun to spend time in.

1. Change Up Your Textiles & Rugs

Rugs have an uncanny knack for tying design and a room together! So whether you’re putting down a rug where there wasn’t one before, or you’re looking to change up the look of an existing rug, know that it’s a fool-proof way to bring new life to your living room.

Plus, the variety of living room rugs that exists is as far as your imagination can take you, so have fun exploring all of your options here too. A warm-toned patterned rug (like the Henna Natural Rug or Marrakesh Beige Ivory Rug) will help create a laid-back vibe and add newfound coziness to your living space. Bold, contemporary rugs will help streamline space and be the focal point of the room. The Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Black and Ivory Rug is a great eye-catching option, with the dark, neutral tones and repeated geometrical motif providing an air of movement, dimension, and sophistication to your living room.

Consider matching your living room’s color palette to your rug, or use the rug to create a playful and bold contrast to the rest of your furniture. You can also play around with sizes as well to see what size makes your room feel larger, or perhaps helps to bring all of your pieces together.

2. Switch Up Your Throw Pillows

Of the quickest and easiest ways to alter your living room design is to update your throw pillows. Whether it’s on your chairs or couch, these small but important accents are what’s noticed when entering a room for the first time. So with just the switch up of color, pattern, size, or fabric, you can give your space a whole new look and feel.

Want something more modern? Opt for a satin finish on your pillow, or play with fun patterns and geometric designs. Go big and bold with bright hues, and incorporate lots of texture—think faux fur and woven or knitted materials that will instantly add coziness to the room.

3. Rearrange Your Furniture

Something as simple as rearranging the placement of the furniture in your living room can have a huge impact on the living space. All things have energy and by shifting around the contents of your room, you can shift the energy that is connected to them. Opening up new spaces to walk or sit in is a great way to give new oomph to a stagnant living space.

4. Update Your Coffee Table

Coffee tables have a big impact on the style and feel of your home. By replacing the coffee table, or even any decorative elements you use on it, you can change up your space with ease. Add an artful coffee table book, maybe one with spectacular landscape photographs. Or why not add texture and a pop of color with a unique sculpture or a plant? These fun details help to round out your room’s style.

5. Add Shelving, Cabinetry, and Details for Depth

Adding shelving to your living room is a great way to add depth, with dimensions both vertically and horizontally. This helps add a great deal of character to your living room.

If you’re set on shelving and storage furniture, consider changing up your cabinet hardware instead. Richard Schoech, Owner of Door Locks Direct, adds, “It’s the little details that can really elevate your living space, and something that’s often overlooked is cabinet hardware. Simply swapping out your pulls, handles, and knobs will give your furniture a whole new look, and help tie your room together beautifully.” Whether you prefer rustic finishes or elaborately embellished accents, there are a variety of options available to suit every need and design aesthetic.

6. Use Tile Decor to Add Visual Appeal

Your walls are an empty canvas that is easy for you to make your own, and whatever you decide to do with them can make a huge impact on the space. You don’t necessarily have to take on a huge painting endeavor to create that impact, though. Likewise, what you do with your flooring can also add a cohesive, visually appealing style.

Timothy Chung, President of M2H Tile Boutique, recommends peel and stick tiles, “These are a great way to create a new style for your living space, adding pops of color and texture. Most decals are affordable and easy to apply. Their versatility makes it easier to decorate your walls or floors, adding visual appeal.”

Adding tile accents is great small way to add impact. Chung continues, “Placing tile accents around the edges of the floor or along the walls can create an entirely new feeling in the space. Utilizing different designs, materials, and colors, you can add a refreshing, sophisticated look. Plus, adhesive tiles make these sorts of design changes temporary, for when and if you’re ready to switch things up again.”

7. Be True to You

No matter what choices you decide to make, remember to have fun and know that the more of your own personality you put into your living space, the more it will feel like home.

What are some of your favorite ways to upgrade your living space? Let us know in the comments below!