Ready to freshen up your living room on the cheap?
Small home projects for your real estate can make a big impact. But most interior upgrades cost way less than you think.
Here’s the thing…
Decorating on a budget doesn’t mean settling for second best.
All it takes is a few strategic updates to make your home shine. If you’re an owner occupier looking for ideas… read on.
Even if you’re a landlord here to make your property more attractive to tenants.
Homeowners can make easy and impactful updates by following the money-savvy tips below. This is backed up by research from the 2025 U.S. Houzz & Home Study. The study found median spending on living room renovations fell to just $4,000 in 2024. That’s down 20% year-on-year.
Why is this?
Because savvy renovators know better than to blow money on small home projects for your real estate that offer poor value. Working with a top team of house builders, like Luddon Construction, means identifying the best budget improvements for your home.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why Budget Decor Actually Works
- The 6 Best Low-Cost Living Room Updates
- How To Prioritise Your Projects
- Common Mistakes To Avoid
Why Budget Decor Actually Works
Budget decorating doesn’t mean being stingy.
It means being smart with your money.
The living room is the heart of the home. It’s where family spends time together. It’s where guests relax. It’s where memories are made. Don’t let a shabby living room put you off opening your doors.
The good news is it doesn’t take a second mortgage to make your living room beautiful.
Here’s why budget decor works so well:
- Paint is dirt cheap but changes everything about a room
- Accessories give instant visual interest
- Rearranging furniture costs nothing
- DIY makes DIY decor possible, saving labour costs
Research by Opendoor showed the average homeowner only spends about $1,598 on home decor purchases. That’s enough to give any living room a total refresh if it’s spent in the right places.
The challenge is knowing where to spend those pounds.
The 6 Best Low-Cost Living Room Updates
Ready to dive in?
The best living room updates don’t cost the earth.
In fact, many of the changes below are free or very cheap. These are all great small home projects for your real estate.
Fresh Paint
Paint wins every time.
No other upgrade comes close in terms of bang-for-your-buck. Quality paint still only costs around £50 per tin. And it’s the thing that makes the biggest difference in a room.
Light, neutral colours still remain the most popular. They’re also the ones that appeal to the most people. Perfect for if you’re trying to sell.
Pro tip: Paint one wall a stronger colour to create an accent wall.
Update Your Soft Furnishings
Cushions, throws, and curtains are magic.
They’re so cheap compared to furniture and so much more noticeable. Swap out cushion covers for brighter, fresher ones. Throw a warm knitted blanket over your sofa to make it cosy in a hurry.
The best part about soft furnishings is how interchangeable they are. Swapping things around is a fun way to keep your living room updated.
Rearrange Your Furniture
Costing you nothing, why not give it a try?
Before spending money, play around with how your furniture is arranged. Move the sofa around to a different wall. Push your armchairs at angles. Group them in a conversation area.
It’s amazing how something as simple as moving furniture can make a room feel totally new.
Add Statement Lighting
The most important element? Light!
The lighting in your room can make or break the rest of the decor. If you have a lovely sofa and tasteful colours… Poor lighting makes it all look drab.
Swap old ceiling lights for something more modern. Add table lamps or floor lamps to create ambience and warmth. Even a simple lampshade swap can make a big difference.
Incorporate Plants and Greenery
Bring the outdoors, inside!
Plants and greenery are cheap, cheerful, and a great way to add life and energy. They make the air feel fresher and look more beautiful.
Don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb. There are lots of plants that are easy to care for. Try pothos or snake plants. If you’re not into real plants…
Fake plants are great. The good ones are so realistic, nobody will know.
Create A Gallery Wall
A gallery wall of photos, art, and prints is cheap and personal.
This is your chance to show off your own artwork or display family pictures. Framed photos make for easy decor that looks great without costing the earth. Pick a colour scheme or theme and mix up different frames.
Charity shops and car boot sales are great for finding cheap frames too.
How To Prioritise Your Projects
Still not sure where to start?
If you’re a homeowner looking for easy decorating ideas, follow this simple rule of thumb:
- Paint first. It’s the biggest transformation for your money
- Fix problems. Tackle eye-sores before nice-to-haves
- Refresh, don’t replace. Update furniture you already own
- Save the big buys for last. Statement pieces can come once everything else is done
This way you’re investing in changes that make the biggest impact first. It means you only buy more expensive stuff once you know what you need.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Budget decorating stumbles when homeowners make these mistakes…
Buying everything at once. Living rooms take time to evolve. Don’t fill every surface on day one.
Ignoring scale. That cheap coffee table looks like junk if it’s the wrong size.
Following trends too closely. Fashionable decor is soon out-dated. Save trends for cheap accessories, not expensive furniture.
Neglecting lighting. Bad lighting kills any room no matter how nice everything else is. Layer your lighting for best results.
Final Thoughts
Decorating a living room on a budget doesn’t need to feel like a struggle.
The small home projects for your real estate listed above work. Follow the simple tips here and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
To quickly recap:
- Paint is the easiest, cheapest way to transform your living room
- Soft furnishings are key for instant updates
- Free stuff like rearranging furniture is important too
- Adding interesting lighting and greenery is cheap and easy
- Prioritising your projects helps you stay on track and avoid overspending
Best living rooms aren’t always the most expensive ones.
They’re the ones that feel intentional, comfortable, and most importantly… Home.
