Please welcome guest contributor, Kaitlin Krull from Modernize, as she shares with us several easy, budget-friendly tips and ideas for a living room update.
Most of us would agree that a home should be a comforting and relaxing place filled with things that bring us joy. However, when we wake up from this daydream, real life and time have taken a toll on the beautiful home of our dreams.
One of the most loved rooms in the home – and therefore probably most outdated – is the living room. If this scenario feels familiar to you and you want to do something about it and are ready for a living room update, there are plenty of ways to give your outdated living room a budget-friendly quick fix or two.
[convertkit form=5279526]Freshen up your walls…and ceilings!
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Nothing upgrades an outdated room like a coat of paint, so freshen up your room with a straightforward paint job. If you want to stay on trend, choose bright whites and neutrals that will allow your decor and colorful accessories to pop, or go bold with metallics or even Pantone’s Color of the Year (Rose Quartz and Serenity, or pink and blue for the non-art majors out there).
One top tip: when undertaking a living room update, don’t forget ceilings, which easily become gray and dull over time. Remove outdated popcorn ceilings, add some crown molding if you have extra time and DIY skills, and repaint your ceiling with a bold color or fresh white paint.
Declutter and organize
Decluttering is an often ignored but essential part of updating any room, particularly a living room update. You’ll be surprised at just how much stuff you have accumulated since the last time you remodeled, so be strict with yourself and get rid of anything that you don’t need or love. Don’t necessarily throw things in the trash; many things can be recycled, gifted, repurposed, or donated.
After the decluttering stage of your living room update, reorganize your living space. Choose storage bins, boxes and baskets that can double as accessories and tasteful decor pieces, or invest in a large entertainment unit or shelving that will help keep your newly updated living space as neat and tidy as possible.
Choose furniture with character
As far as furniture is concerned in achieving your living room update, choose upcycled, reclaimed pieces for a vintage look, or invest in one or two high-quality, trendy pieces that will stand the test of time. We have a particular affinity for the Eames chair and ottoman, though it’s not particularly budget-friendly!
Function and durability are especially important if you have a family, since we all know how much kids like to climb on, jump off of, and generally batter furniture. Corner units and sofabeds, though maybe not the most chic pieces of furniture in the world, will help you out more than you know over the years.
Stay on trend with decor
Less is more when it comes to decor, especially in perfecting a living room update. Keep collectibles, knick-knacks, and other pieces to a minimum (though you’ve likely tidied and given away lots of these things while decluttering – if so, good for you!).
Channel Joanna Gaines, a’ la Fixer Upper, and choose a color or textile theme that repeats throughout the room and ties everything together, remembering to use pieces that will fit in with your design style and make sense to your tastes. Combining design styles is one of the biggest trends of all, so feel free to mix and match to create your own bespoke living room theme.
How to Update Your Outdated Living Room with these easy tips and ideas. #livingroom Click To Tweet
At Modernize, we think that the perfect way to give your tired living room an instant lift is by adding one or two bold modern art prints that you really love. Choose conversation pieces that won’t just blend into the walls, but make sure they’re not so big that they overwhelm your space.
Upgrade your technology
One of the best ways to update your living room is to bring it into the 21st century. Embrace technology by investing in a high-quality entertainment center or sound system that will keep everyone interested. Of course, if you and your family aren’t interested in movies, TV programs, or gaming, then give this pointer a miss and throw in an extra piece of furniture instead (or a drinks cart…who doesn’t love a good drinks cart?).
Using one or all of these 5 tips on how to update your outdated living room will move your space in the right direction to ensure a relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful environment your family will enjoy.
Author Bio:
Author Bio:Kaitlin Krull is a writer and mom of two girls living the expat life in the UK. She enjoys writing for Modernize.com with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on home projects with confidence.
Photos courtesy of Modernize.com.
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