6 Easy Changes That Will Make Your Living Room Ten Times More Stylish, a Designer Spills

Looking to refresh your living room without breaking the bank? You don’t need a designer budget to make a statement. We asked top designers for their go-to updates that elevate any space with ease. From weekend-friendly DIY updates to quick fixes, these affordable ideas will bring instant style and personality to your room—no renovation required.

Paint Your Fireplace

Fireplaces are meant to elevate the feel of your living room, but a utilitarian fireplace (like a drab brick one) can drag down your room’s style. The good news? Painting is a quick, cost-effective way to give it a new look.

In the living room above, for instance, Cindy McKay, the founder of Cindy McKay Interiors, chose to paint the fireplace black to harmonize with the tone of the tile hearth.

“The space is very light and airy, and I wanted something to really anchor the room,” McKay says. “I love the presence it holds in the space. It really makes this sitting zone feel cozy and inviting.” 

While black paint is always a chic choice for a fireplace, white or gray paint are safe bets as well. 

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Layered Rugs

Rugs are a great way to make a living room feel more luxe, but a sprawling 8×10 or 9×12 wool rug will put a serious dent in your wallet. One affordable solution is layering rugs—a designer-approved trick that elevates without the hefty price tag.

Start with a neutral, cost-effective sisal rug as your foundation. Then, over the top, add a statement rug such as a colorful Turkish kilim, a textural sheepskin, or a shapely cowhide hide. The juxtaposition creates a plush, layered look that feels both curated and cozy, all while keeping your budget in check.

Add a Pair of Ottomans

If you’ve ever studied designer living rooms, you’ve likely noticed that design pros like McKay love using pairs of chairs or ottomans.

“There’s something about a pair that just invites you to sit and stay awhile,” McKay says. “In our fast-paced lives, taking the time to sit down and catch up with someone you care about feels like a luxury. Plus, they bring such symmetry and balance to a space.”

Consider this your nudge to pair up your current armchair with a matching mate, or, for a more budget-friendly option, add a matching pair of ottomans. Placed perpendicular to your sofa, two ottomans will add immediate polish, giving your living room a designer-worthy look.

Work a Window Treatment

Window treatments add a finished feel to any room, but often get overlooked because they have a reputation for being expensive.

A great budget-friendly solution is to choose affordable woven roller shades (bamboo shades are an excellent option here) and layer them under standard rod-hung drapes. Similar to the rug layering trick above, combining two cost-effective treatments can result in a rich, luxurious look.

“The woven shades are very easy to draw up or down but without the drapery, the windows look naked to me,” McKay explains. “Both together play such an important role in framing the windows properly and giving them a presence in the space.”

Add Greenery

If your room needs some visual interest, but you’re balking at the cost of art, consider adding a potted plant.

Whether it’s a tall, glossy rubber plant or a delicate, feathery Parlor Palm, few things add as much architectural interest to a room as a potted plant. Best of all, depending on where you shop, you can often score a stunning plant for under $150.

Equally as important as the plant you pick is the pot. Choose a piece that complements your decor style, whether it’s a colored, modern pot, a woven, handled basket, or a ceramic piece with a studio pottery feel.

Choose a Rich Wall Color

Yes, it’s true that a new coat of beige or gray paint will make your living room look refreshed. But to hit new stylish heights? Try opting for a more saturated color. Richly painted walls can transform a room, giving it a luminous quality. Plus, they provide the perfect backdrop for furniture and art to truly pop.

If you’re unsure where to begin color-wise, try a blue or green paint. Unlike bolder hues like red or purple, which can feel out of left field, blues and greens tend to feel more familiar and soothing. These colors, found in trees, water, and the sky, are the easiest to incorporate, as they mirror the tones right outside your window.