In this blog post you’ll find all the answers on the topic living room makeover on a budget.

Walk into your living room. Does it feel stuck? The sofa is worn out, the lighting is flat and nothing really feels like you anymore.

The good news though: Redoing your living room doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

With a decent plan, some smart swaps and a little creativity, you can redo the whole space over one weekend.

In this blog post I’m breaking down everything: What you want it to look like, how much you can spend, colors, lighting and hiding all those annoying cables.

There’s a layout cheat sheet in here, information about textiles and curtains, a shopping list and a schedule that actually makes sense.

At the end there’s 15 affordable ideas for your living room makeover that are cheap but will genuinely make your living room look different.

I can’t wait to get started!

You’ve already redesigned your living room, but somehow it still lacks coziness? This blog post on “how to create a cozy living room” will help you!

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Step 1: Evaluate Your Room & Set The Direction

Before you do anything, just walk around your living room for a bit.

What’s driving you crazy? Lighting is terrible? Things everywhere with nowhere to put it? Keep walking into the coffee table? Hate the colors?

Write down what you actually need versus what would just be nice: Need a real lamp, need storage, need a couch that doesn’t hurt your back, want cute pillows and decor.

Always fix what is broken first and make it pretty after.

Step 2: Plan Your Budget (Without Any Nasty Surprises)

Redoing your living room doesn’t have to cost a ton, but having some kind of budget keeps you from spending way more than you planned.

Here’s a rough split that works: About 40% on textiles and color (rugs, curtains and paint). Then 30% on lighting and smaller furniture pieces. Another 20% for decor and hardware like drawer pulls or frames. Keep the last 10% for random things you didn’t think of.

That way you’re putting money into the things that make the biggest difference first and you’ve still got some left for the finishing touches.

Budget Corridors (Examples):

• Mini (150-250€): Wall paint, lampshades, pillow covers
• Medium (300-600€): Adds a rug and curtains on top of the basics
• Smart (700-1.000€): All of the above plus a secondhand furniture piece that gives your room character

Step 3: Room Measurements & Space Planning

Before we start, I think it’s also worth taking a few quick measurements.

That saves you from getting annoyed later and your space won’t feel lopsided.

Think of these as quick guidelines for setting up your living room so it actually works and feels comfortable.

• Walking Paths: Leave at least 75-90cm for comfortable movement
• Sofa ↔ Coffee Table: Keep 35-45cm in between for easy reach without feeling cramped
• Coffee Table Size: Length should be about ½-⅔ of the sofa’s length, height within ±5 cm of the sofa seat
• Rug Placement: Place front sofa legs on the rug, with 20-30cm breathing space on the sides
• TV Distance: Use a rough formula: Screen size in inches x 1.2-1.6 = Viewing distance in cm

Step 4: Color & Material Game Plan (Budget-Friendly)

When working on a living room makeover without overspending, I think the smartest move is to stick to warm neutrals as your base and then add just one accent color, like olive, ocher or terracotta, to set highlights and make the space more dynamic.

To keep things cohesive, limit yourself to repeating no more than three key materials (for example, a wood tone, one type of metal and a consistent textile texture), which instantly makes the room feel more intentional and “expensive.”

In my opinion, paint is one of the best budget tools you have. Painting a single wall in a warm shade often has more impact than adding ten small decor pieces.

Step 5: Light In Layers – The Biggest Cozy Lever

Nothing changes how a room feels faster than fixing the lighting. That’s what actually makes it cozy.

Think in layers: Ceiling light or some indirect lighting for general brightness, a lamp where you read and smaller lights to show off art or shelves.

Shoot for three to five light sources total and use warm bulbs in the 2700-3000K range.

And don’t sleep on cheap fixes like new lamp shades or those smart plugs with dimmers. It’s a surprisingly big difference for not much money.

Step 6: Textiles & Curtains For An Instant Upgrade Look

I think textiles are the quickest way to make a living room feel more polished without overspending.

Mount curtains close to the ceiling with rods extending 10-15cm on each side to visually widen the room and always go for a rug that’s large enough to anchor the furniture (see cheatsheet for sizes).

Still need inspiration for your curtains? This blog post shows you 13 curtain ideas for the living room.

For the sofa, follow a simple pillow formula: Five to seven cushions on a three-seater, mixing solid textures, a small-scale pattern, and one bold statement piece for balance and style.

Step 7: Storage Space & Cables (Hidden = Quieter)

Rooms feel way more relaxed and calm when clutter and cables aren’t all over the place.

I recommend to put small items in closed baskets or boxes and use cable channels or hide your charging station so tech isn’t dominating everything.

Furniture that does double duty is the best, like storage bench or an ottoman that works as a table. That saves space and your room looks cleaner without extra effort.

Step 8: Shopping List & Schedule – Weekend Plan

Want to redo your living room but can’t find the time? You don’t need weeks for this.

You can pull off major changes in a weekend if you’ve got a plan. Break it into phases and you’ll actually see progress without losing your mind.

Day 1: Clear out, move stuff around, paint
Get rid of things that don’t belong anymore and rearrange furniture so the flow works better. Paint the walls. That alone changes everything.

Day 2: Lights, curtains, rug, pillows, decor
This is when it starts feeling cozy. Put up your lighting, hang curtains as high as they’ll go, lay down a rug that fits, add cushions and little styling touches.

The week after: Hunt for secondhand stuff, swap hardware, hang art
Take your time with the final details. A cool vintage piece, new cabinet pulls, some art you actually like… That’s what gives your living room personality.

Affordable Living Room Makeover Ideas

Redoing your living room doesn’t mean dropping a ton of money.

Some smart swaps and budget tricks can completely change how the space feels without wrecking your bank account.

Here’s 15 cheap ways to makeover your living room that actually work.

1. Declutter Your Space

Sometimes just clearing off surfaces makes the biggest difference. Suddenly the room can breathe.

Decluttering isn’t really about throwing things out, it’s about making room for what actually matters. A lamp in the right spot, your favorite book on a tray, one plant on the side table.

I usually grab woven baskets or clean storage boxes for remotes, magazines, blankets, things you need but don’t want sitting out everywhere.

2. Move Furniture Around

Ever walk into a room and think “wait, what changed?” even though it’s mostly the same things? That feeling’s the best.

You don’t need to drop thousands on new furniture to make your living room feel fresh. Paint one wall. Get new pillow covers for like twenty bucks, a bigger rug to tie things together.

Honestly, the small changes do more than you’d think. Some plants here, different curtains there, suddenly it feels like a whole new space. And your bank account doesn’t hate you.

3. New Wallpapers/Fresh Wall Paint

Tight on cash? You can still make your living room look different without spending much.

Paint one wall or throw up some subtle wallpaper, it changes the whole vibe. Go with warm neutrals or soft pastels if you want it calm or do one bold accent wall if you need some energy in there. It doesn’t have to be the whole room.

Once the paint’s dry, add some simple items that go with it. Like curtains that match, a couple of frames on the wall, nothing crazy. Just enough to make the new color pop.

4. Living Room Makeover: Replace Your Rug

A rug changes everything, even if that sounds dramatic. It’s like the floor suddenly has a personality.

Get one that’s big enough to anchor your seating, at least the front legs of your couch should be on it.

You can do one rug or layer two if you’re feeling it. Something textured like jute underneath with a softer wool or cotton one on top adds depth and feels cozy.

Pull some colors from the rug into your pillows or wall art. That’s what makes it look like you actually planned it instead of just buying stuff.

5. Integrate Wall Art

When you’re redoing your living room, don’t forget about the walls. Art matters more than you think.

It’s basically your walls saying something instead of just sitting there blank. Pick things that go with your colors or the vibe you’re going for, big canvas over the couch, bunch of smaller frames grouped together at eye level, whatever works.

I mix prints with some personal photos at my place.

Quick tip: Your art should be about two-thirds as wide as your couch. That ratio just looks right for some reason.

6. Replace Pillowcases Or Pillows

Stack some pillows in different colors and fabrics on your couch and suddenly it looks like you tried, even if you didn’t.

Switching pillowcases is super easy and cheap. Linen when it’s hot, velvet when it’s cold, instant seasonal refresh.

Mix solid colors with some subtle patterns, throw in different sizes. That’s what gives it depth instead of looking flat.

Here’s the move: Buy decent neutral inserts once, then just swap out cheap covers whenever you want a change. That’s way smarter than buying new pillows every time.

7. Living Room Makeover: Hang Curtains

Windows without curtains make a room feel naked and unfinished. Hang some up and it’s instantly cozier.

I recommend to mount the rod higher than the window frame, that makes your ceiling look taller. And stick with light fabrics like cotton or linen so it doesn’t feel heavy or dark in there.

Also make sure to keep the panels simple and neutral. Then if you want, add some cheap decorative rods or tiebacks to dress it up without spending much.

8. Decorate Your Space With Candles

Lights down low, couple candles flickering on the coffee table, that’s when a room actually feels calm and cozy.

Mix tall candles with some little tea lights. That gives it more dimension than just one kind. Throw them in lanterns or simple glass jars to make them look better.

I group a few on a tray with some books or a small plant next to them. This creates this little moment in the room that just feels nice.

9. Keep The Room Tidy With Storage Baskets

I think we all know these scenarios from everyday life: A pile of magazines on the floor or toys scattered around can quickly make a living room feel cluttered.

But the good news: Storage baskets turn that mess into something stylish and practical!

Plus: Woven baskets add texture to a corner and in my opinion, they’re one of the easiest tricks for a small living room makeover because they keep things neat without taking up much space.

My tip: Use matching baskets under a console table or mix different sizes beside the sofa to store blankets, remotes or books while doubling as decor.

10. Accent Lighting For Highlighting

Light hits a painting or shelf just right and suddenly that’s where your eye goes. It makes the room more interesting, more put together.

Even boring corners look intentional when you light them properly. It’s kind of wild how much difference it makes.

Stick a skinny floor lamp behind a chair or clip some lights onto your shelves to highlight stuff you want people to notice. That way you can create these little focal points without making the room feel busy.

Small spotlights or LED strips work too and they’re cheap. They’re an easy way to upgrade your living room without dropping serious money.

11. Add Cozy Blankets Or Throws

A blanket hanging off the couch or sitting in a basket? The room feels lived-in immediately. That’s all it takes.

Switch them out, thick knit stuff when it’s freezing, something lighter when it’s warm. This feels good and looks decent.
Costs basically nothing and actually works.

Color-wise, either go with what’s already on your couch or pick something that stands out a bit.

If you like it cozy, you might be interested in farmhouse style. In this blog post, I collected 15 living room farmhouse decor ideas for a cozy home.

12. Hang Floating Shelves On The Wall

A blank wall looks boring. Stick some floating shelves up and now you’ve got somewhere to actually show off your decor and add some depth.

They’re flexible too: Photos, little plants, candles, whatever decorative things you’ve collected. Just don’t cram every inch or it starts looking messy.

Mix up the heights of what you put on them. This keeps it from looking too rigid or like you lined everything up with a ruler. It should feel natural, not forced.

13. Replace Old Handles With New Ones

Have you ever just changed the handles on an old cabinet or sideboard? Tiny thing, huge difference.

It’s like the furniture got a subtle makeover without you doing much work.

I advice to match the handles to other stuff in the room like your lamp bases, curtain rods, something like that. This makes it look like everything belongs together instead of random pieces you collected over time.

Even basic matte black or brass knobs add character. Suddenly the whole room looks more finished.

14. Design Your Wall As An Accent Wall

Paint one wall darker or give it some texture and suddenly the room has more going on. It feels deeper somehow.

It works best when you pick the wall people already look at, behind the couch, around the fireplace, wherever your eye naturally goes anyway.

Keep the other walls pretty neutral so it doesn’t get chaotic. Then throw up some frames or shelves on that accent wall to highlight it even more.

In this blog post, you’ll find more living room decor ideas for walls to get inspired by.

15. Add A Fresh Touch With Plants & Greenery

No plants in your living room yet? It’s better to fix that.

Stick a fern on a shelf or put a tall plant in the corner, this instantly makes the room feel more alive and less stale.

Plants add texture and they’re cheap. That’s why they’re one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

Get some small ones and mix them with bigger floor plants. Put them where they’ll actually get light.

My tip: Layering different sizes makes it way more interesting to look at than just one sad plant sitting alone somewhere.

Common Slip-Ups With Fast Remedies

Even the best makeover plans can fall short if a few common mistakes sneak in.

But luckily, they’re easy to fix once you know what to look for.

Here’s what usually goes wrong and what to do about it:

✅ Rug too small → Upgrade to 200x300cm or 240x340cm, depending on sofa size
✅ Everything too cool/grey → Add warmth with wood, linen or brass accents
✅ Only ceiling light → Layer in 2-3 table or floor lamps for a cozy glow
✅ Wall art too small/too high → Aim for a piece that’s about ⅔ the width of the sofa and hang it 15-25cm above

Closing Notes: Big Impact Without The Big Budget

Want to redo your living room cheap? Small changes, that’s it. They add up faster than you think.

Get some practical items like baskets or swap out old handles. Then add the cozy things like blankets, plants and lamps that you like. That mix is what makes it actually nice to be in, not just look at.

You really don’t need much money. Just mess around with what you’ve got, layer some textures, pay attention to what feels right.

The end result? A living room you actually want to spend time in instead of avoiding.