Looking for super stylish living room ideas on a budget? Living rooms are the hub of the home, where we relax, watch TV, spend time with family, occasionally eat, drink and generally spend most of our time at home. But if you are looking for a revamp and don’t have a lot of money, where do you start with budget living room ideas? Think about putting up wallpaper; painting a wall; upcycling furniture or just adding new accessories, there are plenty of cheap ways you can get a new look.
As the saying goes, don’t move – improve, and with housing in short supply and the high cost of moving, staying put but changing up your interior has to be a better plan and can be totally transformative at very little cost.
Check out our inspiring simple living room ideas…
Image credit: Desenio; All prints and frames, from £8.95
Have you got plain walls and don’t want to decorate? Then fill your walls with art. Buying prints and framing has really come down in price in the last few years, so you can dress your walls with very little money, it’s the ideal budget living room idea. Choose a theme, like this neutral palette and make sure you got the spacing right, about 5cm between each frame is a good benchmark. And if you are renting, use Command 3D picture mounting strips to put them up which peel off easily without leaving a mark.
Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson
Plants are a lovely, and inexpensive way to add life to your living room, and they are proven to be good for our mental health and wellbeing too. Arrange them in corners, next to the sofa, on the sideboard, on shelves. Mix faux with real ones and add to them whenever you have some extra cash, or better still take cuttings and grow your own, or ask friends for cuttings of their plants that you particularly like.
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
For a no-cost update try rethinking how to arrange living room furniture. It’ amazing the difference simply moving the furniture around can make on the feel of your living space. Better still, get someone else to do it for you, so you can step back and act as the curator. A fresh eye on your space could give you a completely different perspective.
Image credit: The Rug Retailer
Rugs are the best way to zone a space to create a different perspective and there are plenty of designs that are inexpensive. Wayfair and IKEA have a good selection. In a plain white room with grey and navy sofas, adding colour really brings this room alive. Place the rug between the sofas to ‘anchor’ the space, then you can use the accent shade to add colourful cushions too for a quick room refresh and a great budget living room idea.
Buy now: Reef Geometric rug, from £119, The Rug Retailer
Image credit: Dulux
Freshening up the walls with a coat of paint is such a simple thing to do for a new look and doesn’t cost the earth. These panelled walls have been painted in two colours, a café au lait colour, Brave Ground at the bottom and a pale blue, Faded Sky on the upper part, both Dulux.
Two soothing neutrals, there is just enough colour to make it interesting without being overpowering. It’s the perfect look for an alcove. The door and door frame are also painted in a matching shade to add further interest – without costing anything more.
Image credit: Wallsauce
Go for the wow factor and paper one wall with a mural – a great way of decorating the wall behind the sofa. Choose a big design like this, to really make an impact, then pick out the colours from the wall for cushions and other accessories in the room.
Buy now: Floral wallpaper mural by Burcu Kprkmazyurek, from £30 m2, Wallsauce
Image credit: Naturewall
Wall panelling ideas and rustic wooden walls are big news in interiors right now, but they can be expensive. However, there is an alternative budget living room idea – sustainable, real wood wall coverings for the perfect quick-fix design update. Wooden wall panels are so on-trend right now and will give your living room instant style and character. And there is now a really inexpensive way to get the look – real FSC Certified wood self-adhesive panels! Lightweight and easy to fit, you could have a new look in a day.
‘Choosing small areas to focus on can brilliantly transform the feel of a home. Your walls are the main feature of any room, by refreshing these you’ll instantly impact the look and feel.’ Says Olivia Crosher, lead interior designer of Naturewall. ‘Accent walls are great for emphasising the atmosphere. Use them to zone a space or create contrast, give them a dual purpose and you’ll immediately breathe new life into your room. We have on-trend slat wall options, 3D and Reclaimed wood panels that are stunning and less expensive than you think. But for an even better budget option, self-adhesive planks have to be the way to go.’
Buy now: Rustic Brown planks, £49.99 for a 1m pack of 7 oak planks, Naturewall
Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles
Dated lighting can really let a room down, so look at the latest styles and find inexpensive alternatives. Places like Aldi, Wayfair and B&M have some great lighting styles that are bang up to date and more importantly super on budget.
If you have a floor lamp that looks a bit old- fashioned, just change the shade, or you could try making your own in a funky fabric with a lampshade making kit from Amazon. Even something as simple as changing light bulbs from warm white to cool white will make everything seem brighter or switch it around if you want a cosy feel.
Image credit: Future PLC/Joanna Henderson
Yep, one of the simplest, new cushions and throws can really change the look of a room, and again you don’t have to spend a fortune. Or maybe think about adding embellishments to cushions you already have? There are groups online who sell inexpensive trims, tassels etc. to add a personal design touch to your cushions or think about adding a bobble trim to a throw in a contrasting colour.
Image credit: IKEA
If you would love a library corner but are worried about the cost, you can do it yourself by cleverly using the classic Billy bookcase from IKEA. The 202cm high version is £40 so it won’t break the bank. Measure your space and buy enough to fit, then you could paint them the same colour as the walls so they blend in. Job done!
Be inspired by this masterful before and after living room makeover with savvy IKEA shelving hack.
‘If you’re looking for a way to transform your living room on a budget, introducing a feature wall by using eye-catching, patterned wallpaper is a good option.’ Says Susie Spence, Trend Expert and Head of Interiors at B&Q.
‘We offer a wide range of styles that suit all tastes from contemporary to rustic, with brick-patterned wallpapers in particular being used as a clever way to bring an urban or rustic flair to interiors without breaking the bank. Some great options from include our Tanlay Red Brick Effect Smooth Wallpaper and Fine Décor Ledgestone White Stone effect Smooth Wallpaper.’
‘Another effective way to update your living room on a budget is to embrace the biophilic trend and bring more indoor plants to your space. From air purifying peace lilies to prickly cacti, B&Q has a large range of house plants to choose from that will bring a whole new meaning to the term ‘living’ room.’
And don’t forget local charities, The British Heart Foundation have shops that sell second hand furniture across the country. Also Sue Ryder is another charity with an online shop that sells new items at reasonable prices.
‘Create a cosy home that is both aesthetically pleasing and liveable in equal measures.’ Says Annica Wallin, Executive Creative Director at Desenio. ‘By using expressive paintings and illustrations in creamy beiges and warm colour tones then add family photographs to form a cosy and inviting space for friends, family and pets.’
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Now that spring is in full-swing and the skies are getting cheerier, our attention turns to change and renewal. And if you’re thinking of having a refresh in your living room with a complete decorating project or simply by changing the central furniture, then look no further than a design from the new Sofology x George Clarke collaboration.
Whether your home is a modern new-build that echoes the sounds of a busy family life, or a quiet cosy cottage with the peaceful hum of the countryside, you’ll find a design that will suit.
Image credit: Sofology/ Dominic Blackmore
Drawing on his wealth of experience in architecture, designer and television presenter George Clarke, has created two stunningly gorgeous ranges in collaboration with the team at Sofology.
The Brantwood and the Midland Hill bring a mix of contemporary and timeless sofas and chairs, with complementing footstools , that will suit any style of home.
The Brantwood is the epitome of comfort with its deep seating, feather-filled back cushions and cocooning timber frame detailing; it just beckons you to cosy in and curl up. Whilst the Midland Hill is a celebration of a bygone era with exquisite art deco touches.’
‘I’m a massive fan of really beautiful art deco architecture,’ says George Clarke. ‘And this sofa definitely reflects that. Welcome to the Midland Hill.’ Inspired by the art deco era, the Midland Hill is a celebration of the architecture of the day, and in particular the character and design of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe, North Lancashire.
Named as a nod to its architect, Oliver Hill, the Sofology x George Clarke collaboration captures the building’s character wonderfully – you’ll find subtle touches of 1920’s design through the sofa and chair stitching, sumptuous fabric colours, gold legs and overall shapes of the pieces.
‘My favourite part of the Midland Hill sofa is the arms,’ says George, reflecting on the design. ‘You’ve got the tight radius curve; you’ve got the lovely art deco horizontal lines. And we’ve got a very beautiful trim detail that picks out the profile of the arm. So for me, it’s quite architectural. It’s what makes it timeless.’
You’ll find a winged chair, loveseat and armchair, as well as two footstools, among the four sofa choices.
Image credit: Sofology/ Dominic Blackmore
Whether your home is modern or traditional, the range is a great entry point for anyone wanting to bring the glamour and sophistication of the art deco period into their interior, without having to choose something that could look too theatrical.
You can dress the sofas up or down, depending on the accompanying accessories and soft furnishings you choose – keep it soft and subtle with lighter, pastel tones, or go for a richer, more decadent scheme with jewel-like shades of ruby or emerald.
And best yet, we’re thrilled to say that we share Sofology’s wonderful value in buying items that will last, flying in the face of disposable consumer shopping culture.
Image credit: Sofology/ Dominic Blackmore
Sofology prides itself on helping its consumers to choose a sofa that they’re happy with, and will be happy with for a long time; for at least 20 years in fact.
Each and every sofa from Sofology comes with a two-decade structural guarantee, so you can rest assured that whichever of the pieces from the Midland Hill range you chose, they will last.
To see the full Midland Hill range and to find your perfect sofa, visit www.sofology.co.uk or visit your nearest Sofology store.
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Looking to lift a lack-lustre garden scheme with a splash of colour? Then these garden paint ideas will have you reaching for a paint brush in no time! A quick, easy and purse-friendly way to update your outdoor space, garden paint ideas have the potential to totally transform your space ready for entertaining alfresco all summer long.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try sticking to a co-ordinated theme. Pick out an accent colour, such as a pretty pink from your favourite flower in the garden and use it as a starting point for the painting scheme. But avoid using too many paint colours as this can look chaotic and won’t create a restful space.
When it comes to choosing paint colours to use in the garden, the bolder the better we say. Choose colours that will enhance the work of mother nature, with a riot of pinks, reds, yellows, orange, purples and blue bursting forth from our pots and borders throughout the spring and summer months before dying back, leaving our gardens dark, unassuming and lacking vibrancy.
Of course, our flat, grey-tinged light conditions have quite a lot to do with it – the brightly painted facades of Miami and those of the favelas in Rio would look rather overpowering beneath British skies – but follow our garden design and colour experts’ advice, and you can add a lick of bright colour to any garden ideas this summer without scaring the neighbours.
Image credit: Little Greene
Buy now: Yellow Pink 46 masonry paint, £75 for 5ltr, Little Greene
Add a signature wall to create an alfresco lounge- this rich mustard tone works well in both the sun or the shade. A great weekend project, reviving hard landscaping such as walls, fences and decking is an ideal place to start. These elements are the backbone of a garden scheme, so give them a fresh coat of paint in a vibrant shade to take your outdoor space up a level and inject new life into tired surfaces.
Image credit: Wickes
If you’d like to use a bold shade, but are nervous about using it on a large area like a fence, restrict it to smaller surfaces, such as furniture, planters and garden accessories. This way you can enjoy your chosen colour on a scale that suits you. To update a container, use contemporary shades of grey, such as charcoal, slate and graphite, to give simple wooden furniture and plain planters the standout factor in your garden. They also make the perfect background to contrast with colourful flowers.
Image credit: Sadolin
Buy now: Sadolin Mid Green Superdec, £41.95 for 2.5ltr, buypaintsonline
Create a herb garden with a difference. Here we’ve transformed an old table (with its top flipped upside down), with just a lick of paint. Start by prepping the surfaces by giving the whole thing a good sanding, to remove any varnish or stain. You might also need to give it a coat of primer first too, but check the manufacturer guidelines of your chosen paint colour. Once painted and dry, fill it with compost then plant it up with the herbs you use most often.
Image credit: M&L Paints
Just one piece of colourful furniture can enliven your space- this wicker armchair has been transformed with a vibrant orange hue, making it pop in a lush, green garden. Make sure you use an appropriate sealant on furniture that will be left outdoors to help it withstand the elements.
Image credit: Little Greene
Buy now: Orange Aurora Intelligent Exterior Eggshell, £38 for 1ltr, Little Greene
Create a warm welcome and give your garden as much love as the front door. Whether it’s wood or metal, sand it down to create a smooth finish. Start with a primer on untreated surfaces, or for those previously painted, an undercoat. For a matt look, choose exterior eggshell, or gloss for a lacquered result. Bring the whole thing up to date by replacing hinges and handles, or giving them a lick or paint too.
Image credit: Cuprinol
Painting garden fences is a great way to embrace exterior paint in a major way. The colour will surround the entire garden and therefore makes maximum impact. Dark shades of black and slate grey are trending right now, the perfect accent for lush greenery.
Contrast dark paint shades with striking planting. Flowers with jewel-like colour abound in summer, but take care not to overindulge and limit your palette to three or four complementary shades. Try purple penstemons and salvias, with yellow dahlias, against a backdrop of dark-leaved foliage plants, such as Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diablo’.
Image credit: Dobbies
Always centre stage, vibrant, neon colours shout ‘Look at me’ so use them sparingly, to add dramatic touches to modern designs. Try painting a feature wall in hot pink or sunshine yellow – both colours combine surprisingly well with a wide range of plants. Liven things up with neon planters, and dress tables with vibrant table linen and lime green glassware.
You can go either way with your planting; either tone down the heat with cool green foliage, or add to the thrill with flowers that bolster your zingy shades. Bright pink Geranium psilostemon makes an eye-catching partner for the lime-green flowers of euphorbias, while orange red hot pokers dazzle against magenta.
Image credit: Future Plc/ Robert Sanderson
‘Coloured walls create exciting effects and bring a contemporary element to a design; the trick is to use strong colours in moderation do they don’t overpower the space,’ says garden designer Catherine Heatherington.
Fellow garden designer Patrick Wynniatt-Husey, of Wynniatt-Husey Clarke Garden Design, explains that a painted surface will draw the eye to an area or feature, adding: ‘In our designs, we also use coloured walls to create a sense of depth or foreshorten a space, and as a foil to planting.’
Image credit: Future Plc/ Emma Lee
There are certain colours that instantly transports you to another time and place. Such is the case with this pinky terracotta wall, which makes you thinking of warmer climates and holidaying in Morocco. Add contrasting bright blue furniture and accessories to enhance a Moroccan theme.
Choose your garden paint shade to reflect a place you’ve visited, to create a holiday haven in your own backyard.
Image credit: Future Plc/ Tom Leighton
‘Subtle shades of green work well in traditional settings, or try pale lilac or terracotta,’ says Kathryn Hibberd, designer and member of Crown Paints Colour Influences Panel. Catherine adds: ‘You have to use colour carefully in a period garden but I’ve contrasted a dark purple wall with a brick wall to great effect, linking a contemporary garden with the traditional surroundings.’
Image credit: Thorndown Paints
Revive a tired-looking garden structure with a lick of paint. This fine example shows how a greenhouse idea can be invigorated by a coat of on-trend sage green colour.
Image credit: Annie Sloan
Rather than throw out the flaking paint, past-it garden furniture set why not make it an upcycling idea for the garden? Because you’d be surprised what a thorough rub down and a fresh coat of specialist paint can do.
This specialist paint by Annie Sloan requires no priming, ‘you can simply pop open the tin, roll up your sleeves, dip in your brush and apply paint to furniture. Works on wood, metal, laminate, concrete, indoors, outdoors and beyond’ say the paint brand.
Image credit: Cuprinol
Your garden building is there to serve a purpose, so make it stand out. Whether you use the space as a summerhouse retreat, or a garden office idea as a serene workspace away from the house, give the structure a splash of colour.
Of course the purpose will determine the colour you decide on, but either way adding a decorative colour makes the building feel like more of an extension of the indoor space.
Image credit: Annie Sloan
Give warmth to brick walls, either exterior walls or those in a brick framed outhouse or sunroom. Adding a splash of colour to brick walls helps to create a solid wall of colour, where you don’t notice the pointing – ideal in small garden spaces where you may feel overwhelmed from the ‘busy ‘look projected from a brick wall.
For added style credentials paint any shelving in a contrasting accent colour, preferably another bright shade to add to the vibrancy.
Image credit: Future Plc/ Jonathan D Jones
Use soft, subtle shades to create a sense of quiet and calm, a place that is restful, a million miles away from the hectic pace of daily life.
Available in preservative as well as emulsion paints, apply powdery hues to timber and masonry surfaces and furnish simply with pale hued garden furniture with lean lines and matt surfaces. Lift the look with touches of mirrored and watery-coloured glassware.
Image credit: Future Plc/ Emma Lee
Alternatively, sumptuous shades of peacock green, purple, dark red and egg yolk yellow add rich, deep tones that complement foliage plants and pale-hued flowers. Like sparkling jewels, these colours draw the eye and are best used as focal points.
Image credit: Future Plc/ David Giles
Use a soothing shade of sky blue to lighting up an outdoor space – making fences appear to stretch up into the sky. ‘Try a pale blue to highlight a darker blue,’ says Patrick; we suggest Echo with Deep Space Blue, both by Little Greene.
‘We also like to use vibrant oranges with natural wood.’ Catherine uses lush planting in her designs, so colours have to work with green. ‘Try off-white walls with a panel of mauve, or dark grey slate floors with pale pink walls.’
‘Buy good quality exterior masonry paint that’s easy to clean once it is on the wall’ Kathryn advises. ‘Remove dust and dirt from all the surfaces before you start to paint.;
Patrick adds, ‘Use test pots to trial colours, but not on obvious surfaces as the colour patches can alter the texture of the wall or ground, and may show through even after you’ve applied the final coats. Also, make a note of the code of special mixes so that you can buy the correct colour when needed, and make a point of repairing any cracks before you start painting as coloured paint will highlight any defects. Finally, never apply masonry paint when the temperature is lower than 10°C or it won’t dry.’
There are no rules. ‘We would paint the house if circumstances called for it and the clients agreed’ says Patrick. ‘But take care when painting walls in eye-catching shades as they can create eyesores, and try to link them with the walls inside the house. For example, we used an orange wall in a small garden that could be seen from a kitchen which was decorated with tiles of the same colour; the finished effect was fantastic.’
Choosing the best paint for the look you want can be a bit of an art, so we’ve broken it down into the different types you can use.
One of the most beautiful finishes for external walls is limewash, which is made from lime and water, and comes in a range of pastel shades. It’s ideal for poroius surfaces such as brick, stone, plaster or roughcast, and needs renewing about every five years.
Masonry paint is great for refreshing render and this too comes in a good range of colours. Opt for a textured finish if you need to disguise surface cracks. The downside is that this paint is not breathable in the way that limewash is, although manufacturers are working to make it a more environmentally friendly options.
For exterior woodwork there is wide range of paint available, with most manufacturers producing a wood gloss or eggshell suitable for exterior use. Make sure you prep the wood properly first with an appropriate primer to ensure a professional-looking result.
Metal paint is a hard-wearing product as it is used to protect railings, gates guttering and furniture. Exterior eggshells are often suitable, but the sheen of a gloss can look smarter. Metal usually requires priming first, but some brands, such as Hammerite, can be applied directly to the surface.
Chalk paint is an easy way to freshen up tired garden furniture, brickwork or window boxes. Just remember to apply a coat of water-resistant UV protective chalk paint lacquer to finish the job.
Charlotte Radford, Senior Product Manager Emulsion at Valspar says, ‘Refreshing your wooden or metal furniture is easy and affordable, giving you a brand-new looking garden piece. Remove any flaking paint, sand then clean the whole surface, paying special attention to any carved and decorated areas. For a smooth finish and to protect your metal furniture from rusting, apply a primer before painting. When it comes to priming and painting, use different size brushes to perfectly cover every part of your item of furniture – starting with long horizontal strokes for backs and seats of chairs/benches, then tackling the rest bit by bit by joining every element in the middle.’
‘If you want to introduce pops of sunny yellow or red in your garden, try using the colour in small doses on furniture, doors and flowerpots to brighten up any outdoor corners.’
Subtle colours work well in the low light levels that we enjoy in the spring. But in summer, when the sun is stronger, try bolder colours, like aubergine, purples, and pinks, but make sure you choose hues with some warmth; cool colours such as icy blues can look rather too stark.
The post Garden paint ideas – 17 ways to give your outdoor space a splash of colour appeared first on Ideal Home.
