10 Ways to Refresh Your Living Room Over the Weekend: Tips from a Decorator

Renovation usually requires a lot of time and money, and sometimes even creates a bunch of problems. Ahead of the weekend, we found out from designer and decorator Inna Usубyan how to update your living room in 48 hours without going into debt. We're sure the professional's tips will help you easily transform your living room and make it cozier and more atmospheric.

1. A Color Festival

Probably, the fastest way to completely transform a room is to change the color palette of the space – repaint the walls or rehang the wallpaper. By the way, it's not necessary to do this in the entire room: sometimes changing just one wall is enough to completely transform the interior.

If you have wallpaper on your walls, then to refresh the room it's enough to buy a couple of rolls. Choose a new, fresh color that will harmoniously fit with your furniture and other items. Have you always wanted to try that beautiful and vibrant green shade? Why not?

2. The Power of Decoration

Paintings, posters or photos in frames arranged in a unified composition will refresh and enhance even the most boring living room: with their help you can add color to an interior or set a rhythm, inject bright spots into the room design.

Print your favorite family photos or travel shots, frame them in a mat, and hang them on the wall – I'm sure your living room will instantly become your favorite spot in the apartment. A large map or several large-format posters will also look great on the wall.

Or maybe you've been keeping old paintings gathering dust for years – organize an exhibition in your living room! Just a couple of large paintings above the sofa will add elegance and create a new perspective.

3. Replacing the Old

A new carpet is also a great way to quickly transform the room. A well-chosen one in color and pattern will help create a finished color palette, add an ornament or small details. If you want more coziness in the room, choose a carpet with long pile – it's a safe bet.

4. The Magic of Rearrangement

Simply rearranging furniture will help you get a completely new room for free. This old method is loved by everyone precisely because it always works. All you need is to move the sofa and coffee table, get rid of an old wardrobe or armchair, and your living room will appear in a completely new light.

5. A Detailed Approach

Change the curtains and a couple of sofa cushions – and you won't recognize your room anymore. Carefully choose the color and pattern of the fabric – it's they who will set the mood for the room.

If you can change the covers of your armchair or sofa – consider buying new ones. Perhaps your sofa isn't as bad as you thought it was. Try to choose cushions with different textures. It will look much more interesting if you lay next to each other cushions made of linen, velvet and cotton or other fabrics.

6. Lighting Magic

Properly arranged and chosen lighting will create the right atmosphere for a pleasant family evening in your living room. If your living room has only a chandelier and a couple of boring wall sconces – definitely add a floor lamp and table lamps to create layered lighting. Do you know why it feels so cozy in hotels in the evening? Because usually you switch on the lower lights – floor lamps and table lamps.

Want a celebration? Take out your Christmas lights and hang them on the windows, and it doesn't matter that spring is already here – let there be a celebration of good mood at home.

7. With an Accent

Add a unique touch to your living room interior – an antique armchair, a designer chair or lamp. Maybe you have an old chest or your grandmother's jewelry box stored away at the cottage – all of this can become a decoration that makes the interior unique, and combining old and new will give the interior a trendy eclectic note.

8. The World of Illusions

A mirror will make the room much brighter and become its visual center. If your living room opens to the north-facing windows, hang a mirror opposite the window and the room will become much brighter and seem larger. Choose a mirror in an attractive frame and place it above the sofa or on the wall opposite the door – this way you'll create a new point of attention.

9. Flowers Bloom

If your living room lacks life – decorate the interior with a bouquet of flowers or a couple of potted jasmine, geraniums or ficus. Living plants will bring a completely different atmosphere to the space! The main thing is to choose flowers that you can properly care for.

10. Aromatherapy

The scent is also very important for creating the right atmosphere in an interior. The scents for a living room should be cozy and warm. Bergamot, thyme with lavender, the scent of cinnamon with orange, woody aromas – these are ideal options, but any others that calm you down and create a mood for you will also work perfectly. Don't skimp – choose candles made of natural wax, and diffusers with liquid based on natural oils. One bottle or candle will last you for several months.