You don’t need a mega budget to have a designer-looking living room, although if you have one – spend away!
With a few clever tweaks, you can make your space feel more put-together, cosy and expensive – without actually spending a fortune.
Here are 7 simple hacks you can start using straight away.
1. Use the biggest rug you can
A massive giveaways that you are decorating on a budget is a tiny rug floating in the middle of the floor.
Always go for the largest rug your space and budget will allow. Ideally, the front legs of your sofa and chairs should sit on the rug – this helps to visually pull the room together and makes everything feel more intentional. It is also great for zoning if you have a more open plan space.
Budget tip:
If a large statement rug is out of your budget, layer a big, inexpensive jute or plain rug underneath and place a smaller, prettier rug on top. You get the impact of a large rug without the full cost. Don’t forget to check second hand shops or Facebook Marketplace for a bargain – especially if you have a good carpet cleaner to hand.
2. Upgrade Your Cushions (Inserts Matter More Than Covers)
Flat, sad-looking cushions drag the whole sofa down.
Choose bigger, plumper cushions with removable covers. For a standard sofa, 50 x 50 cm (around 20″) is a great starting point, and if you can, size up the insert (e.g. 55 cm insert in a 50 cm cover) for that squishy, high-end look.
Mix a few different textures – think linen, velvet, knits or faux fur – rather than buying one matching set. This instantly adds depth and interest.
If you can’t afford new inserts, you can achieve a fuller look by putting two or more of your old, flat inserts into one cover! Or maybe take the stuffing out of an old duvet and fill your cushions with that?
3. Swap Harsh Lighting for Soft Layers
Ceiling light on, room lit, job done… right? Not quite.
Using just a single overhead light can make a room feel cold and uninviting. Instead, aim for 3 layers of lighting:
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Ambient: your main ceiling light, a large floor lamp or wall lights
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Task: a lamp by the sofa or reading chair
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Accent: a small table lamp, candles or even fairy lights
Warm white bulbs give that cosy, “evening glow” that feels far more expensive than a bright, cool white bulb.
Budget tip:
Add simple lamps, LED candles or fairy lights – they’re inexpensive and instantly soften the whole room. You might be able to pick up a second hand lamp and give it a makeover with paint and new/ revamped shade
4. Use Simple, Oversized Art
Lots of small, random bits of art can make a space feel cluttered and cheap. Instead, choose one or two larger art pieces that really make a statement.
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Hang a big print or canvas above the sofa
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Use the same colour frames (black, white or light wood) for a clean, cohesive look
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Keep the artwork simple and bold rather than fussy
You don’t need to spend a lot: you can frame printable art, DIY a simple abstract painting, or even frame fabric or wallpaper samples. Have a go at creating something yourself – at least it will be fun, even if it doesn’t make it to your wall!!
5. Hide the Clutter with Trays and Baskets
Clutter is the enemy of a classy-looking living room.
You don’t have to live like a minimalist, but you do need places for things to go. A few well-chosen trays and baskets can transform the room in minutes.
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Use a tray on your coffee table to collect remotes, candles and coasters
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Keep a basket nearby for blankets, toys and general “life stuff” – lidded is best if it will contain ugly clutter.
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Limit how many small decor pieces are out at once
When surfaces look intentional instead of chaotic, your whole room instantly feels more polished.
6. Hang Curtains High and Wide
This one is a real designer trick.
Instead of hanging curtains just above the window frame, mount the curtain rod higher and extend it wider than the window:
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Higher = makes the ceiling look taller
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Wider = makes the window look bigger
Even affordable curtains look far more luxurious when they’re long, have a bit of fullness, and just skim or “kiss” the floor.
. Add One Standout “Moment”
You don’t need everything to be a statement – in fact, that can feel overwhelming. Instead, choose one key feature you want to stand out:
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An oversized plant
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A striking lamp
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A bold cushion colour
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A styled coffee table with a beautiful book stack and a candle
Keep the rest of the room fairly simple and let that one thing be the “wow” moment. This gives your living room a designed, intentional feel without spending loads.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with what’s easiest or most affordable right now – maybe it’s swapping cushion inserts, adding a lamp or rehanging your curtains – and build from there.
Having said all of this sometimes you just have to throw away the rulebook and trust your eye.
If you’re planning a bigger living room refresh and want help keeping track of colours, layouts, measurements and budget, my Interior Project Planner Bundle is designed to guide you through the whole process step by step – from mood board to final styling.
You can also grab my free “Plan Your Dream Home” workbook if you’d like a gentle, no-pressure way to start planning your space.
