Have Sippy Will Travel

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You’ve come to the point where your living room is simply boring. You’ve done all you can to make it a
comfortable place for your family to get together, but it still isn’t giving you the sense of excitement you’re
looking for, and your budget for making changes is severely limited. It’s a common problem, as the kitchen
and bathroom tend to receive the bulk of the renovation dollars while upgrades to the living room tend to
end with the couch and the television. Well, not to worry. There are plenty of ways you can spice up the
space without breaking the bank. Here’s a look at five ways you can update your living room while sticking
to your budget.

Rearrange the furniture. This first idea is fantastic, because it’s free. Before you consider buying a bunch
of costly additions, think about ways you can reinvigorate the space by moving things around. Most living
rooms are arranged around the television. While that’s a great choice for movie night, it’s not the most
inspiring of design ideas. Try focusing the room in other directions. Put the attention on your fantastic
views by arranging the seating to take maximum advantage of the scenery and natural light. Or move the
couch around your fireplace to stave off the chill of winter and give the space a more romantic appeal.

Consider ghost frames. It’s a simple idea. Head out to the closest discount framing store, yard sale or flea
market, and buy up several inexpensive frames. Look for frames with depth and texture. Then you can hang
them on a wall, without photos, to add architectural interest to an otherwise bland space. Paint them the
same or a similar shade as your wall, and go with a high-gloss finish that will really make them pop. It’s a
great way to spice up your space without breaking your budget.

Less is more. If you want to re-energize your living room, consider subtracting from the space instead of
adding to it. Cut down on the accessories in the space, and everything left over will have more impact. A
good strategy is to pull everything that isn’t nailed down, and add them back in one piece at a time. With
less clutter, your living room will be more peaceful and inviting, perfect for a space focused on relaxation.

Coordinate. If your living room doesn’t feel ‘finished’ to you, chances are that’s because the furniture is
mismatched. The better you can coordinate with color and style, the more complete the room will look to
your eye. Start small, replacing the lamps on your end table with a matching pair, for example, and you’ll
be surprised what a huge difference it will make.

Paint outside the box. The paint you choose for the walls is a fantastic way to create a high-impact
difference on your space, with a low impact on your wallet. Think about repainting the room, and consider
some unconventional colors. Perhaps a different shade of your favorites, to add pop, or a gray trim instead
of the traditional white. Then pick up new pillows for your seating that accent the change in color. Painting
is a simple change that can be accomplished in a weekend, and is certainly cheaper and easier than adding
corner electric fireplaces or skylights.