Refreshing your living room can feel like a big project, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you’re looking to reupholster your sofa or want to hang some new art, these DIY projects are easy and affordable.
Featuring mementos from your travels or a family tree, a curated gallery wall is a beautiful way to add personality to a living room. If you’re worried about caring for plants, opt for faux varieties like grasses and stems.
1. Reupholster Your Furnishings
Although it’s ideal to buy new furniture for your living room, sometimes that’s just not in the budget. Upgrading your old pieces with a fresh coat of fabric is an affordable and easy way to give them a facelift.
Zar recommends starting with a padded bar stool or dining chair, which are forgiving projects for beginner DIYers. Then, work your way up to larger upholstered pieces like ottomans and couches.
2. Make Your Own Abstract Art
If bare walls make your living room feel sterile, consider creating a gallery wall with framed art prints and photos. This DIY is an easy way to spruce up your home without breaking the bank.
Depending on your painting skill level, you can choose to create abstract geometric art or random splatters of color. Make sure to wear an old shirt or paint smock for this project, as it can get messy.
3. Floating Shelves
Floating shelves offer a chic and modern way to display home accessories. This DIY project also makes for a great low-commitment wall art gallery.
Before you hang your new shelf, use an orbital sander to smooth the plywood edges. Once you have a smooth surface, stain or paint your shelving frame to match your living room decor. Then style with framed photos, books, or decorative objects.
4. Rearrange Your Furniture
Instead of buying new furnishings, try rearranging what you already have. This budget-friendly project can transform your living room and make it feel brand new.
Consider a symmetrical layout, like two sofas facing one another or a side table flanked by chairs. You can also reorient seating to take advantage of a focal point, such as a fireplace or bank of windows.
5. Paint Your Walls
A fresh coat of paint is a classic, budget-friendly way to make over your living room. Before you begin, cover the floor and any furniture with a drop cloth to protect them from spills and splatters. Next, unscrew any light switch and outlet covers and place them in a plastic bag with their screws.
Opt for a crowd-pleasing hue that complements your style preferences and existing furnishings. To achieve smooth and even walls, use a roller and a brush for the finer details.
6. Add a Pop of Color
Color can add a bold focal point to any room, especially when it’s used on a large scale. Adding a few colorful pillows or seat covers is a simple, budget-friendly way to add a pop of color to your living room.
If you’re a green thumb, consider adding low-maintenance plants to your living room. If not, fake plants and flowers are available at affordable prices with lifelike detail.
7. Hang a Pineapple Pendant
Add a fun pop of color to your living room with this pineapple pendant. It’s a quick and easy DIY that’ll instantly upgrade your space.
Get creative with your decor items and create your own unique pieces of art. For instance, you could paint a canvas and hang it above your sofa as an affordable wall art gallery alternative.
Keep extra blankets within reach by constructing a stylish copper blanket ladder. Or, use contact paper to hide any unsightly scratches on your coffee table.
8. Make a Hairpin Coffee Table
Give your living room a fresh look with a modern hairpin coffee table. This DIY project is easy and cost-effective. It’s also a great way to hide unsightly scratches on your existing table.
Add a pop of color to your living room with this pretty pink plywood coffee table. Blogger Fall for DIY stained the table a light pastel shade that works with most decor styles.
9. Paint a Plaid Wall
Painting is a great budget-friendly DIY project that can instantly transform a room. Try a plaid wall for a one-of-a-kind design.
Use 0.94 inches delicate frog tape for lines with smaller spacing, and 1.88 inches multisurface frog tape for larger spacing. Then, paint your pattern.
Keep extra blankets handy with a cozy copper blanket ladder. This DIY home decor project is easy to do with repurposed ladders and paint.
10. Make Your Own Rug
Having a rug in a living room is a great way to add warmth and texture to the space. Instead of buying an expensive one, try making your own!
These DIY rugs look cool and require minimal supplies. They also make a fun gift for anyone on your list. You could even try your hand at a different style, like this denim rug.
