Colorful Light Fixture
Update an unattractive, outdated light fixture with a few coats of paint, round bulbs and pom-pom fringe for a whimsical touch. Strong colors overhead pull together the room's eclectic vibe.
Streamlined Shelves
Refresh your storage by taking the jackets off old books (load up at yard sales) to expose the stitching or covering your collection with coordinating papers.
Tilted Mirror
For a laid-back look on your mantel, rest a sturdy style against the wall – no hammering required.
SHOP MIRRORS
Lush Leaves
Fill any underused nook or corner with a big, ol' houseplant and it can instantly become the personality-packed focal point of the room. Tuck the pot in a cute basket for an extra punch.
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Painted Brick
Update an old-school brick fireplace (or wood paneling) with a coat of cream paint like this sunny home. Take that, '70s-era decor.
Soothing Palette
Let the vibes flow from room-to-room with another clever paint tip. "I often paint a home one color throughout," says Susana Simonpietri, interior designer and cofounder of Chango & Co. "Or, I'll try the softest hue in the room that gets the most natural light, then work through the rest of the home with deepening shades of blue and gray."
Slate and Copper
Mix metallic accents (we see you, adorable end table) with traditional wood pieces for added depth to your living room decor.
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Better Flow
It’s not as much about where you put your furniture as it is about the types of pieces you choose. "In each room I design, I try to include at least one round piece, such as a coffee table, that people can walk around without bumping their knees," says interior designer Katie Rosenfeld. "I also add a few armchairs and a versatile piece like a garden stool that can be used as a stool to sit on or as a table for a drink."
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Streamlined Screen
Don't let your primetime viewing habits impede your style. "Go for a slim TV (mine is a Samsung), and use a thin mount that lets it sit flat against the wall," says lifestyle blogger Carley Knobloch. "Then have the wires threaded through the wall so it looks uncluttered."
Velvet Sofa
Make the living room feel airer (and infinitely bigger) by replacing a bulky sectional with pretty seating. Besides, what feels more luxe than velvet?
Dual-Purpose Bar Cart
Setting up a booze station on your bar cart is a no brainer — but using it as an end table (especially when space is limited) to display blooms, art and coffee table books is just genius.
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Low Furniture
Short pieces, like this tufted couch, keep an open floor plan cozy. Use area rugs to define individual "rooms" within the space.
Navy Walls
Give beige a break. Dramatic hues can drench a large living room, like this inky wallpaper. The deep blue provides a surprisingly neutral backdrop.
Comfy Seating
Your style may be posh, your furniture can still be cozy. Plush sofas and armchairs rule the roost in Ellen Pompeo's L.A. home. "It's fancy in a cool way, not in an 'I can't sit there' way," she says.
Chic Storage
Need space, stat? Swap boring shelving for more decorative options, then load up on fabric boxes or baskets to hide an overflow of knick knacks.
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Slim Footprint
Save square footage without sacrificing seating by using dining chairs in the living room. A rattan-and-cane perch takes up less real estate than a traditional recliner.
Family-Friendly
Yep, white furniture can work in a house with kids. Just choose durable fabrics (a leather couch) and surfaces (the plastic rocker, the lacquer table) that wipe clean easily.
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Statement Rug
The key to subtle color lays at your feet. A patterned carpet plays up the neutral furniture in a New Jersey home, while a similarly-hued pillow adds another punch to the armchair.
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Fast Fixes
Makeover a room by rethinking the pieces you already have. Use up leftover wall paint on the frame of an old chair or refresh curtains and pillows by sewing fancy trim along the edge.
SHOP POM-POM CURTAINS
Subtle Pattern
Avoid future boredom with calm colors using texture and pattern. In a dreamy beach house, muted prints in the same palette keep a neutral room from looking bland.
Sheer Curtains
The quickest way to let light in starts at the source. Replace heavy fabric curtains with gauzy ones, making sure the panels go all the way to the floor. To accentuate a tall ceiling, mount the drapes about a foot above windows and doors.
Second Surface
Change up tired decor with this quick DIY. Add old wood planks to a coffee table as a bonus shelf. And skip painting — the weathered finish has more character.
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Easy Access
An open floor plan like in this Connecticut cottage creates one large space for entertaining. Two columns (garage-sale finds from years ago) stand at the corners of the kitchen, anchoring the room.
Dark Accent
Look to the opposite end of the color spectrum to tie everything together. A moody blue grounds a windowed living room by Sarah Richardson without overwhelming it.
Sneaky Furniture
Steal a space-faking secret from this tiny Brooklyn apartment. Choose a few full-size furniture pieces instead of cramming in lots of smaller ones. The living room will feel larger, and you'll have a sofa you actually like to sit on.
Bonus Materials
Don't forget to punctuate color with natural texture. Sarah Richardson used wicker baskets, a wood-frame mirror, and an antique pine dresser to warm up this rustic cabin.
SHOP WICKER TABLES
Blank Space
Start with an all-white canvas and swap in seasonal accents all year-round. This summery living room uses cool blues, jute accessories, and nautical accents for a beachy vibe.
Light and Airy
Measuring just 250 square feet, a tiny guesthouse copies a staple of Scandinavian style. Bright white shiplap creates the illusion of added space.
Cohesive Palette
HGTV host Emily Henderson uses a "hero color" throughout every room to pull it all together. In her Los Angeles home, blue with gray and olive accents creates a casual, layered look.
Natural Textures
This Connecticut farmhouse nails country style. Underused neutrals rust and charcoal echo throughout with woodsy elements like oak, cedar, stone, and leather.
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