Redecorating your living room on a budget is not only possible—it can actually be fun. You don’t need a giant renovation or pricey furniture to make your home look stylish. Sometimes the smallest changes bring the biggest results.
This guide focuses on living room ideas, living room decor ideas, small living room decorating ideas, modern living room ideas, ideas living room curtains, living room color ideas, and living room decorating ideas that cost less than $100 each.
So let’s jump into it, in human style, like we’re chatting while scrolling home decor inspiration together.
1. Living Room Glow-Ups Under $100: Is It Really Worth It?
Absolutely. Your living room sets the tone for your entire home. It’s the first space guests see, the room where you unwind, and often the background of every Zoom call or selfie. A well-decorated living room impacts your mood and makes daily life feel elevated.
The best part? You can refresh your space with living room decorating ideas that look expensive but aren’t.
2. How to Upgrade Your Living Room Without Overspending
Before making any decor moves, follow these budget-friendly principles:
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Choose one statement upgrade at a time
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Mix color, light, and texture
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Avoid clutter—especially for small living rooms
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DIY when possible
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Measure before buying anything
If you plan wisely, even small living room decorating ideas can look like they came straight from a designer portfolio.
3. Modern Living Room Ideas on a Budget
If your style leans modern, you can achieve that clean aesthetic by focusing on:
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Neutral colors
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Sleek curtain rods
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LED lighting
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Minimal wall decor
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Matte black or gold hardware accents
Modern living room ideas don’t have to cost a fortune. Minimalism is your best friend when you’re glowing up under $100.
4. 20 Living Room Decorating Ideas for Under $100
1. Oversized Wall Art
A single large art print can completely anchor your room. Go bold, go abstract, or choose minimalist typography. This is one of the best modern living room ideas for impact.
2. Swap Pillow Covers Instead of Full Pillows
Instead of buying new pillows, replace covers. Velvet, linen, or patterned fabric instantly refreshes your sofa without adding bulk.
3. Add a Textured Throw
Drape a throw across your couch or accent chair. It softens the look, adds dimension, and makes the space look curated.
4. Decorative Tray Styling
You can buy trays for $10–25 and style them with candles, mini decor, or coasters. This tiny detail is part of classic designing a living room ideas.
5. LED Strip Lights Behind the TV
Warm backlighting adds a premium glow at night. The transformation is insane for such a small spend.
6. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Perfect for renters. Use it on one wall or a corner to create depth without paint.
7. Warm Light Bulbs
This is the cheapest glow-up ever. Swap daylight white bulbs for warm tone ones. Your room will feel 10x cozier.
8. Curtain Tie-Backs
Magnetic or rope tie-backs can make your curtains look more intentional and elegant.
9. Layer a Smaller Rug Over Your Existing Rug
If your main rug looks plain or tired, layering adds contrast and style without buying a full new rug.
10. Add a Tall Plant or Two Small Ones
Plants add life. Faux plants are fine too. No one will ask for your watering schedule, promise.
11. DIY Floating Shelves
Install one or two to display frames, decor, or greenery. Keeps the floor space open—great for small living room ideas.
12. Change Drawer or Cabinet Handles
You can modernize an old TV stand or cabinet instantly with new handles for $5–20 a set.
13. Upcycle a Lamp Base
Paint it, wrap it in jute rope, or swap the shade.
14. Use Contact Paper on a Tabletop
Turn wood into marble, black matte, or textured neutral.
15. Add Sheer Curtains Behind Existing Curtains
Creates softness and height without replacing your main curtains.
16. Steam Your Curtains
Wrinkles make curtains look cheap. Steaming makes them look luxury—without buying new ones.
17. Add Framed Family Photos
Black-and-white printed photos in matching frames look timeless and premium.
18. Decorate With Books
Use thrifted books to stack under decor or on tables.
19. Add Wall-Mounted Planters
Cheap, stylish, renter-friendly, and vertical (good for small spaces).
20. Add a DIY Color Palette
Introduce color through decor accents like vases, frames, pillows, or curtains instead of paint.
5. Living Room Color Ideas That Look Luxe
Here are trendy palettes you can bring into decor for under $100:
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Emerald green + cream
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Blush pink + gold
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Charcoal gray + white
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Navy blue + warm wood
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Terracotta + beige
6. Small Living Room Decorating Ideas Without Overcrowding
For compact spaces, try:
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1 large statement art
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2 pillows max
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Tall plant, not wide
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Floating shelves instead of cabinets
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Higher curtain placement to elongate the room
7. Ideas Living Room Curtains: Budget Curtain Makeovers
Curtains are one of the highest-impact areas for living room decorating ideas.
Try these for under $100:
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Hem tape to adjust length
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Trim tape to add borders
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Rope or magnetic tie-backs
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Layered sheers
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Higher rod placement
8. Best Places to Shop for Living Room Decor Under $100
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Dollar stores
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Craft stores (for trims and paint)
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Discount home sections
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Etsy for wall art
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Local thrift shops
9. Designing a Living Room Ideas for Renters
Renter safe upgrades:
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Command hooks
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Peel wallpaper
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No-drill shelves
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Contact paper
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Lighting and textiles
10. How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger for Under $100
Use:
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A mirror
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Higher curtain rods
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Vertical shelves
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Light color accents
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Slim decor frames
11. The Decor Trinity: Light, Color, Texture
If you only change 3 things, make it these:
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Warm lighting
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Intentional color accents
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Cozy layered texture
12. How to Maintain a Glow-Up Long-Term
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Clean your decor weekly
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Rotate pillows seasonally
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Keep plants alive (or dust the fake ones)
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Avoid impulse buys
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Let your room breathe
13. Living Room Decor Ideas That Look Designer But Aren’t
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One focal wall
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Matching frames
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Clean curtain lines
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Warm lighting
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Minimal table styling
14. Common Budget Decorating Mistakes to Avoid
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Buying too many small decor items instead of one statement piece
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Hanging curtains too low
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Ignoring lighting tone
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Choosing random colors without a palette
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Overfilling small rooms
Living Room FAQ
- How can I decorate my living room cheaply?
Focus on lighting, pillows, curtains, wall art, and plants. These give the most impact for the least money.
- What decor makes a living room look modern?
Clean lines, neutral palettes, higher curtain placement, LED lighting, minimal wall art, and matte hardware finishes
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How do I decorate a small living room?
Use vertical space, limit pillows, hang curtains higher, add mirrors, and avoid bulky furniture decor.
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What are the best living room curtain ideas on a budget?
Layer sheers, use hem tape, add trim, and install curtain tie-backs.
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What color makes a living room look expensive?
Emerald green, navy blue, matte black accents, warm beige, and terracotta tones can all look luxe when used in decor instead of paint.
Final Conclusion
Upgrading your living room for under $100 is one of the smartest and most satisfying home projects you can do. With the right living room ideas, a clean color palette, simple curtain upgrades, warm lighting, and a few intentional styling moves, your room can go from meh to magazine cover without spending big.
Budget makeovers work because they’re personal, creative, and thoughtful. Whether you’re working on small living room ideas, exploring ideas living room curtains, or searching for modern living room ideas, the upgrades above prove one thing:
Good style is not about how much you spend, it’s about what you choose.
Now go make that room glow.
