12 Living Room Updates Under $1200
/We all feel better when we can tweak our space, just a bit, to feel more “like us”…..
More vibrant, more…..dare we say “Instagram-worthy” ?!
Budgets need not soar, to add a bit of visual interest in the space we all seem to be hanging out in the most.
Here are 12 Ideas Under $1200 to make your central living space just a bit more FANTASTIC! 🖤
Add A Statement Chair ( or two )
A bold colour, or dramatic print lands perfectly when done as an accent chair. Buy a new one for $1000-$1200 from shops like Decorium, or score two for the same price, at a Vintage shop.
3. Create A Gallery Wall
Round up your beloved Digital photos and GET THEM PRINTED ! Add in some fun prints from Society 6 (starting at $25) and get creative ! Purchase a coordinating gallery frame-set from West Elm ( approx $200) or amass an eclectic assortment …….add some patience and a level - et voila ! A Unique gallery wall.
4. Paint Out A Brick Fireplace
Perhaps the most dramatic change with the least amount of money. 1 can of paint ($60) and a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. The visual difference between an old red-brick fireplace and a fresh-white one, is incredible !
5. Add Some Sheer Curtains
The gauzy effect of sheer curtains do double-duty - the whimsical feel creates a vibe of effortless luxury…..and the airiness lets in maximal light. Win win. a 30” Panel runs approx $500 from Q Design. So, you can outfit your patio doors for under $1200.
6. Do A Pillow Overhaul
Perhaps the easiest ( and most fun ! ) of all the Update-tricks. You can completely change the look of your couch & seating area, by changing up the colour/prints of your pillows. Opt for an assortment of patterns, textures, colours & sizes to up the visual interest of your space. Shops like Tonic Living offer a number of fun pillow options and free shipping !
7. Commission a Hand-Painted Mural
WHY. NOT. Hire a local artist and get something truly unique ! Provide them with a few inspiring reference images, and then see what they can draft, as a sketch first. Choose a colour palette, and let their creative work begin ! Any artist will charge varyingly, depending on their talent, but you can expect to get something of quality for under $1200, on one wall.
8. Add A Statement Rug
How different would this room look without the pop of turquoise ? Sometimes an unexpected colour or print on the floor, is all you need to transform a space from basic to vivid. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 (Structube) -$1500 (Benisouk) for a 5x8 rug. Vintage options are also great.
9. Paint One Wall
This will likely fall into a painter’s “minimum charge”, but definitely worth it. Expect to pay around $600 to do a one-colour feature wall. Plus $60 for the paint. Well worth it, for the added visual drama.
Try Benjamin Moore’s Black Beauty.
10. Create A Shelf Collection
This metal shelf collection from West Elm runs between $75-$150 / piece. When installed as a “collection” , they provide a beautiful Art-wall ( and are practical - extra storage ! )
11. Invest in An Oversized Antique Mirror
We don’t need to state the obvious, in terms of the beauty this might add.
However, worth mentioning, mirrors, of course, create a visual openness for the room. Having a large part of the room reflected through the mirror, adds a dynamic & “grandiose” feel to the space.
12. Update Lighting
Builder-basic light fixtures make us want to ….scream ! Especially when you can sub-out with such fun ones, at relatively low cost. Try Casa Chic for some Rattan options, Lucent Lightshop for more modern Globe options, and Wayfair for all the rest. Large-scale pendants can be between $200-$1200. Book an electrician to switch out all the main level lighting at one time, to get the most value for his service.
