Home renovation spending is on the rise. A report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies estimated that American homeowners devoted a record $316 billion to remodeling costs in 2017. That’s a whole lot of money that many homeowners simply don’t have at their disposal.
Although investing in one’s home is a sound decision, that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to improve your living space. Sometimes, small improvements can be even more impactful than a massive renovation. That’s especially true for your main living room, which might be totally functional and merely in need of a little face lift. Here are three subtle cosmetic changes that can instantly improve the look and feel of your living room.
Give it a fresh coat of paint
According to the National Association of Realtors, the most important room for staging to potential buyers is the living room. But you don’t necessarily have to buy a bunch of new furniture to make your living room more appealing. A fresh coat of paint can be all you need to return this space to its former glory.
The paint color you choose can have a significant effect on your perception of this space and how you feel when you’re in it. Darker tones make a room feel cozier and more intimate, but they’re not necessarily well-suited for spaces that are already on the small side. Lighter colors like beige, white, or cream make a room feel more open and spacious, which is often what homeowners want to experience.
As a bonus, it also makes your living room seem even more luxurious, particularly if you supplement it with some metallic elements. Alternatively, you might opt to paint the walls and your mouldings or trim the same color, rather than opting for contrasting tones; this allows you to use a bolder paint color and puts the focus on your home’s architectural details.
Having trouble deciding on the right direction for your paint color? Think carefully about how your living room makes you feel right now, and determine what you want to feel when you walk into the space. If you feel like the walls are closing in and you yearn for something clean and bright, you’ll want to lighten up the paint color. But if the space has a lack of personality and leaves you feeling bored or cold, you might consider a color that’s richer or more eye-catching.
Invest in a large rug
Texture and visual interest are important components of any space. Some people address this by switching out the pillows on the couch or adding a new indoor plant. But there’s an even easier way to accomplish this task: investing in a large new rug for your living room.
Approximately 99 percent of American real estate agents believe that a home with hardwood floors is easier to sell. However, that doesn’t mean this flooring material is always easy to maintain. If you want to preserve your wood floors from scratches and other damage, larger coverings are a must. That’s especially true if you have children or pets in your home. High-quality rugs make your floors last longer and look better while adding style and charm into your design.
You should opt for bigger rugs over smaller options. Large rugs make your living room look both expansive and expensive, which can ground your design and ensure your space feels open and airy. You can actually layer a patterned or textured rug over wall-to-wall carpeting to define the main entertainment or seating area, too. This can instantly add more personality into the space and help you make better use of it.
Add wall art
A new coat of paint is a nice touch, but a home is incomplete without real art on the walls. Art provides you with creative stimulation, serenity, and a means for contemplation. It instantly sets the tone of the room and allows you to express to friends and family what you value in life. If your living room feels ordinary and unexciting, hanging some canvas prints or framed pieces will liven up the space in mere seconds.
A large art piece above the fireplace or a sectional sofa can act as a conversation-starter and the main focal point of the room. It’s also a great alternative to wallpaper or even a bold paint color. You could also create your own art vignette by putting several smaller pieces together in an arrangement that’s enticing and thought-provoking. If you’re short on wall space but still want to add artistic representation, make a vertical gallery of three pieces on an accent wall.
Some homeowners are short on art because they aren’t exactly sure what they like. If you have little artistic knowledge to draw from, you can begin by visiting museums, antique stores, and flea markets in your area. This can help you determine whether you’re more drawn to pop comic art or love the impressionist style. Once you’re armed with that knowledge, you’ll be in a better position to choose art you truly like (and you’ll even be able to have a conversation about it with your guests).
These three easy improvements can realistically be made in a few days’ time. Best of all, they don’t require a huge budget, nor will they leave your home in shambles while you attempt to renovate.