Decor & Styling

9 Items That Will Upgrade Your Living Room

The concept of a living room is quite magical. It’s a space that serves as a host for organizing Bachelor wine nights, cuddling up with a Titanic-sized blanket and your current novel of choice, sipping your morning coffee while catching up on “this just in” news, and partaking in intense, competition-fueled game nights with your closest pals. Whether you use it to entertain or unwind (or both), there’s no doubting that our living rooms are truly the heart and soul of our homes.

A well-designed living room can set the tone for an entire house. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking for an upgrade, we’ve rounded up these items can help take your living room from “yes” to “YAAAAS” in no time flat:

 

1. Additional seating

The more seating, the merrier. Adding additional seating to an atmosphere makes it more inviting to guests and is a great way to add decor while keeping things functional.

Target
Esters Wood Arm Chair

4 colors available

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Wayfair
Striped Arm Chair
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Wayfair
Barlow Chair
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Target
Caned Accent Chair
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West Elm
Leather Lounge Chair
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Bed Bath & Beyond
Chloe Club Chair
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Target
Woven Accent Chair
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Joss & Main
Carolos Leather Pouf

37 colors available

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Overstock
Jute Pouf
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2. A styled coffee table

PSA: coffee tables aren’t just for coffee! Now that we’ve gotten the obvious out of the way, let’s explore all of the design opportunity that comes from a piece you likely already have in your home. Use the surface area to display florals, candles, trays, and magazines to give an already designed space new life. 

Afloral
White Peony Silk Flower Arrangement
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West Elm
Brass Mirror Tray
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Target
Leather Handle Tray
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Amazon
Abode: Thoughtful Living with Less
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Amazon
House of Plants
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Amazon
Live Beautiful
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West Elm
Glass Shadow Box
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Boy Smells
Candle Set
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DIPTYQUE
Baies Candle
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3. Layered lighting

When God said, “let there be light,” I’d like to think that he was referring to these insanely chic lamps that we’ve rounded up. Besides the crystal clear bonus that more lighting can bring warmth and brightness to any atmosphere (especially in the evenings), they also give you another chance to express your living room’s style, create an ambiance, and add dimension to any space.

Overstock
Clear Glass Table Lamp
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All Modern
Alina Table Lamp

2 colors available

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Target
Drop Pendant Floor Lamp
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Target
Tripod Floor Lamp
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Amazon
Wall Sconces
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4. A mirror to make the room feel bigger

Mirrors are a strategic way to make any room feel bigger, and adding them to your living room is no exception. Whether you settle one over a mantle, on a dresser, or lean it up on a wall while placed on the floor, mirrors are the secret to expanding your space and reflecting light to give your living room the glow it deserves.

Target
Circular Decorative Wall Mirror

4 colors available

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Anthropologie
Primrose Mirror

3 colors available

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Anthropologie
Aperture Mirror

4 colors available

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Target
French Country Mirror
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Target
Arch Shaped Mirror
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West Elm
Metal Floor Mirror
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5. Baskets

Source: @alainakaz

Baskets are simply one of my greatest joys. They’re perfect for creating a space to contain some of my clutter (which never stops accumulating) and add functional style to ground level. The answer to extra blankets that you want to have easily accessible to guests and to yourself? Baskets. To making rounding up your pet’s toys a breeze? Baskets? To “cleaning” before your friends arrive unannounced? I think you get where I’m going with this.

Target
Wire Storage Bin
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Target
Coiled Rope Basket
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World Market
Hyacinth Braided Tote Baskets
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6. Greenery

I couldn’t have less of a green thumb if I tried, which makes me appreciate indoor greenery so very much. Adding plants can be a lovely way to add color to neutral decor. Whether you grow or go faux, including greenery is a sure way to liven up your space.

QVC
Faux Fiddle Leaf Tree
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World Market
Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
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Target
Artificial Succulent
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Target
Artificial Rosemary Plant
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Target
Faux Tree Potted Plant
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7. An affordable furniture update

One of the most disappointing parts of adulthood for me was learning how expensive furniture is. Fortunately, there are some more affordable options that you can turn to to spice up your living room that won’t break your bank. Even replacing one piece can breathe new life into a space.

Target
Warwick Media Cabinet
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Target
Cambridge Turned Leg End Table
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World Market
Everett Foyer Table
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Target
Metal Console Table
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World Market
Metal Baruch Coffee Table
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Target
Shaker Coffee Table
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Target
Kailman Bar Cart
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8. Accessories

Accessories are another affordable way to revamp your room if you’re looking for an upgrade. Candles, throws, pillows, and frames (or even just swapping the photos in frames you already have) are just the beginning of ways to switch up your aesthetic or seasonal decor while staying in budget and respecting the space and furniture that you already have. 

Nordstrom
Leopard Throw
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Nordstrom
Rope Throw Blanket
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Anthropologie
Minimalist Ladder
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West Elm
Paper & Clay Oval Catchall

3 colors available

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Anthropologie
Hestia Tray
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Anthropologie
Pressed Glass Photo Frame

2 colors available

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Nordstrom
Woven Cotton Throw
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CB2
Hightower Vase
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CB2
Brass Pillar Candles
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