Home Improvement Projects for the Living Room

Think of your living room as the lobby of your hotel. It's the place where your guests are greeted and often the first room a visitor sees; and first impressions are important. So, keep reading for five great ideas on how to spruce up your living room today.

Update the Lighting

Is your living room dark and dingy? Updating the light fixtures can do wonders for brightening up a room as well as modernizing it. Install a fresh, new ceiling fixture along with a few lamps for directed lighting. If you're still not getting the lighting that you want, try opening the windows with brighter window treatments or lighter curtains for more daytime light.

For evening lighting, put in a dimmer switch. It's a great way to create effective night lighting and add ambience.

Paint the Walls

Paint is one of the simplest ways to immediately freshen a room. You can also alter the mood of a room drastically by the color you choose. For example, reds and yellows will give your living room a warm and vibrant feeling while icy greens and cool blues will make it feel calm and relaxed.

Upgrade Your Mantle

Fireplaces are a lovely way to warm a room, but it's unfortunate that so many of them are hindered by horrible mantles that are flashbacks to the 70's and 80's. Update your living quickly and easily with a fresh, new fireplace that's contemporary, safe and up-to-date.

New Window Frames

If you can't afford to install new windows, you can typically get away with new frames. By adding a freshly painted trim around your windows, you'll immediately brighten up your living room. Updating the curtains and blinds is another terrific way to quickly modernize and upgrade with minimal expense.

Upgraded Flooring

Is your carpet dingy and damp? Then it's time to rip it out. If your hardwood is scratched and dull, you may be able to refinish it. Whether you're upgrading an existing floor or installing a new one, this tactic packs a lot of positive impact.

For a less expensive wood alternative, try wood laminate flooring. It's made to look like wood and designed to install painlessly. Another affordable and earth-friendly option is bamboo flooring.

Whatever your budget, there are ways to update and upgrade your living room this weekend. However, before you start a project, make sure you understand how to do the work, or consult a skilled professional.

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