How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things: 17 Easy Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

This post is all about how to decorate living room with simple things. 

Let’s be honest—everyone dreams of a living room that looks straight out of a magazine. But who really has the budget to overhaul their space every season? I sure don’t! That’s why I love figuring out how to decorate living room with simple things—because you don’t need a ton of money to create a stylish and cozy space.

Whether you lean toward cozy living room designs or prefer simple living room designs for small spaces, these 17 easy ideas will help you breathe new life into your home—without the heartache of an empty wallet. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Before You Start: Quick Checklist

Before diving into decoration, consider these points:

• Assess your current space and furniture
• Determine your style preferences
• Set a realistic budget
• Measure your room to ensure new items will fit
• Consider the room’s natural light

Now, let’s get decorating!

1. Rearranging Furniture: How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to refresh your living room is by simply moving your furniture around. If you’re wondering how to decorate living room with simple things, start by shifting your sofa to a new wall or changing the layout of your chairs. It’s incredible how much this small adjustment can transform a space.

In small living room decorating ideas, optimizing your furniture placement can make the room feel more spacious. Consider pushing your furniture away from the walls to create the illusion of a bigger area. And remember—this trick costs nothing!

Personal anecdote: I once completely transformed my tiny apartment living room just by moving my couch away from the wall and angling my armchair. Suddenly, the room felt twice as big and much more inviting!

2. Decluttering: A Key Step in Learning How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

Sometimes, less really is more. A cluttered space can make even the largest living rooms feel small and uninviting. Start by decluttering, which is a huge part of how to decorate simple living room spaces. Get rid of items that don’t serve a purpose or bring you joy. Organizing your room and sticking to the essentials can make your living space feel fresh and open.

Decluttering is also essential for decorating small spaces on a budget. It doesn’t cost anything, but it gives you a blank canvas to work with, helping you highlight the things that truly matter in your living room.

Pro tip: Try the KonMari method. Keep only items that “spark joy” and see how much more spacious your living room becomes!

3. Pillows with Personality: A Fun Way to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

Home decor ideas for living room often focus on throw pillows as a quick and affordable way to add personality. Mix and match different patterns, colors, and textures to give your space a fresh look. You can easily switch them out depending on the season or your mood.

Need inspiration? Check out home decor ideas Pinterest boards to see how people use throw pillows to elevate their decor. Plus, if you’re into DIY, making your own pillow covers is a great way to personalize your space without spending too much.

Budget-friendly pillow recommendations:

• IKEA GURLI cushion covers (around $4 each)
• Target’s Room Essentials decorative pillows (starting at $5)
• DIY no-sew pillow covers using fabric and iron-on hem tape

4. How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things by Adding Plants

Adding plants is one of the simplest ways to breathe life into your living room. Not only do they look great, but they also purify the air, giving your space a fresher feel. Whether you have a large or very small living room, adding greenery is always a good idea.

For simple living room ideas for apartments, smaller plants like succulents or a snake plant can fit perfectly on a windowsill or shelf without taking up too much space. This small touch can instantly make your room feel more inviting.

5. Mirrors: A Simple Solution for Decorating Small Living Rooms

Mirrors are an unsung hero when it comes to living room wall decor ideas. Hanging a large mirror opposite a window helps reflect light, making your space feel larger and brighter. For very small living room ideas, this trick is especially effective.

If you’re going for a more elegant look, consider a mirror with a unique frame that also serves as a decorative piece. A well-placed mirror is a perfect example of how to decorate living room with simple things without spending too much.

6. Create a Gallery Wall 

Gallery walls are a fun way to express your personality and add visual interest to your living room. You don’t need expensive art pieces—a mix of framed family photos, artwork, and even small house decoration items can make for an eye-catching display.

If you’re looking for simple living room wall decor ideas, a gallery wall is a great option. It gives you the freedom to mix and match pieces, allowing you to change things up whenever you feel like it.

DIY Gallery Wall Project:

• Collect frames of various sizes (thrift stores are great for this)
• Paint frames in coordinating colors
• Print photos or create simple art pieces
• Arrange frames on the floor before hanging
• Use command strips for easy hanging and rearranging

7. Transform Your Space with Curtains 

Curtains can dramatically change the look and feel of your living room. Light and airy curtains make the room feel brighter, while heavier drapes create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. When you’re thinking about home decorating ideas on a budget, swapping out your curtains is a simple way to refresh your space.

For small living room ideas on a budget, try hanging your curtains higher than the window frame to create the illusion of a taller ceiling. This small hack makes the room feel more spacious.

Expert tip: “Hanging curtains close to the ceiling and extending the rod beyond the window frame can make your windows appear larger and your ceilings higher,” says interior designer Sarah Johnson.

9. How to Add a Throw Blanket When You’re Decorating Living Room with Simple Things

Draping a cozy throw blanket over your sofa or armchair is a simple yet effective way to add warmth and texture. Whether you prefer a bold pattern or a soft, neutral color, a throw blanket can tie together your simple living room furniture and elevate your overall decor.

Not only are throw blankets practical for chilly evenings, but they also add a soft, cozy vibe to your living room—perfect for those colder months.

10. DIY Artwork: A Personal Touch to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

One of the best cheap decorating ideas for living room walls is to make your own art. Whether you paint, create a collage, or frame your favorite fabric, there are endless DIY options to decorate your walls. It doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.

How to decorate room with simple things DIY projects not only give your living room a personal touch but also save you from buying expensive artwork. Plus, it’s a fun way to get creative!

10. Repurposing Old Items: A Budget-Friendly Approach to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

Before you throw something out, think about how you can repurpose it. An old ladder can become a bookshelf, or vintage suitcases can be stacked to make a quirky side table. Home decor ideas for small homes often involve reimagining what you already have.

Repurposing old items is also a great way to align with simple living ideas—it’s sustainable and creative!

11. Roll Out a Rug to Enhance How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

A well-chosen rug can define a seating area and add warmth to your living room. If you’re on a tight budget, look for rugs during seasonal sales, or even layer smaller rugs for a bohemian look. For small living room ideas Pinterest, rugs are often used as a key element to bring everything together.

Make sure the rug is large enough to fit under your main furniture pieces—it can make all the difference in how the room flows.

12. Lighting: The Secret to Decorating Living Room with Simple Things

Lighting is key to creating the right atmosphere in your living room. Whether you add a floor lamp to brighten a dark corner or use dimmer switches for cozy evenings, lighting can completely transform your space.

For cozy living room designs, think about using multiple light sources—table lamps, floor lamps, and even candles. This layered approach creates depth and warmth, making your living room feel more inviting.

13. Books as Decor: A Clever Tip for How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

Books aren’t just for reading—they make great decorative accents, too. Stack them on coffee tables, use them as props on shelves, or display them on a floating shelf for an added design element.

This is an easy way to personalize your space, especially if you love to collect books. It’s an example of simple living room wall decor that’s both functional and stylish.

14. Use Trays to Organize and Learn How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

If you’re looking for ways to keep your coffee table or ottoman organized, trays are your new best friend. They can hold everything from candles to coasters while keeping the space neat and visually appealing.

For simple ways to decorate living room surfaces, trays are a fantastic and functional option. Choose one in a color or material that complements the rest of your decor.

15. Make a Statement with Focal Points

Every living room needs a focal point. This could be a large piece of artwork, a unique piece of furniture, or even a bold wall hanging. Don’t be afraid to make a statement—it adds character to your space.

Even if you have a small living room, a bold statement piece can anchor the room and draw the eye. This idea works well with small living room decorating ideas, where less is more.

16. Using Grey to Master How to Decorate Living Room with Simple Things

If you’re stuck on color schemes, consider living room ideas grey. Grey is a neutral and versatile color that pairs beautifully with almost any accent color, whether you prefer bold or subdued tones. It’s also a great choice if you’re working with simple living room designs for small spaces, as it can make the room feel bigger and more cohesive.

17. Affordable Wall Decor Ideas 

If you’re looking for cheap decorating ideas for living room walls, consider using washi tape to create patterns, hanging tapestries, or painting an accent wall. Your walls offer endless opportunities to inject color and personality into your space.

A simple accent wall can completely transform the look of your living room. It’s one of the most impactful and affordable ways to finish off how to decorate living room with simple things without going overboard on spending. Whether you use paint, wallpaper, or framed art, let your creativity flow and make the most of your wall space!

Budget Breakdown

To help you plan, here’s a rough estimate of costs for each idea:

• Rearranging furniture: Free!
• Decluttering: Free!
• Throw pillows: $5-$20 each
• Plants: $5-$30 each
• Mirrors: $20-$100
• Gallery wall: $50-$200
• Curtains: $20-$100 per panel
• Throw blankets: $15-$50
• DIY artwork: $10-$50 for supplies
• Repurposing items: Free to $20 for supplies
• Rugs: $50-$300
• Lighting: $20-$100 per lamp
• Books as decor: Free if you own books
• Trays: $10-$50
• Focal point: Varies widely
• Grey paint: $30-$50 per gallon
• Wall decor: $10-$100

Final Thoughts 🖤

Mastering how to decorate living room with simple things doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With these 17 easy ideas, you can transform your living room into a space that’s uniquely yours—while keeping your budget intact. Remember, the best decor is the kind that reflects your personal style and makes you feel right at home.

Start small with a few of these suggestions, and before you know it, your living room will feel refreshed and inviting. Happy decorating!

FAQ

Q: How can I make my small living room look bigger?
A: Use light colors, add mirrors, and keep furniture proportional to the room size.

Q: What’s the quickest way to update my living room?
A: Rearrange furniture, add new throw pillows, or introduce a pop of color with artwork.

Q: How do I decorate my living room on a tight budget?
A: Focus on DIY projects, shop at thrift stores, and repurpose items you already own.

Q: What’s a good focal point for a living room?
A: A fireplace, large artwork, or a statement piece of furniture can serve as excellent focal points.

Q: How often should I update my living room decor?
A: Small updates seasonally can keep your space fresh, but major changes aren’t necessary more than every few years.

We’d love to see your newly decorated living rooms! Share your before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #SimpleRoomTransformation. Let’s inspire each other with our creativity and budget-friendly designs!