1. ADD POPS OF COLOR
When decorating your small living room, be intentional about design choices and don’t be afraid to add a splash of color.
2. CHANGE THE LAMPSHADES
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your small living room is to swap the existing lampshades. “Even simply changing the lampshade to a different color or pattern can create a whole new mood in the room, whether it’s pleated, flat, or plain,” says Tayah.
3. CREATE VISUAL INTEREST
Tayah also recommends creating visual interest through styling. “One way to make a room feel bigger and more interesting is to add several light sources from different heights,” she explains.
4. ADD A RUG
Rugs add a nice visual to any space, but they’re also highly functional. Not only can they invite more color and patterns into your living room, but they can also help anchor your furniture, add texture, and even create visual interest.
5. HANG ARTWORK
Hanging a piece of artwork — or several, depending on your layout — can also make a positive difference and act as a small, but mighty, living room upgrade. “Whether it is using existing pieces or being brave enough to DIY new ones and hanging them on the wall, you can achieve an impactful space through artwork,” Tayah confirms.
6. ADD MIRRORS TO OPEN THE PLACE UP
When decorating a small living room, the key is to look for ways you can create the illusion of a larger room. With this in mind, Tayah says to add mirrors to your living room walls. “Incorporating mirrors can make a small living room feel larger and brighter by reflecting natural light,” she explains. “Mirrors can be easily added to a gallery wall or used as an eye-catching focal point in the living room.”
7. REDUCE CLUTTER
One of the easiest — and cheapest — ways to upgrade your living room is to reduce clutter. “It is important to take a step back and edit the space, particularly if it is a small living room,” says Tayah.
8. RAISE YOUR CURTAIN RODS
Another cheap and relatively easy way to upgrade your small living room is to raise your existing curtain rods. “Often, curtains are hung too low and are the wrong size for the room,” says Bethany Struble, a lead designer at Totum Home. “I love to hang curtains almost to the ceiling and have them graze the floor,” she adds.