How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
The comfort and aesthetics of your home can significantly impact how you feel. And, luckily, if your living space is looking a bit tired, bland, or uninspired, you don’t need to spend a fortune to give it a revamp.
From jazzing up your sofa with bright cushions and throws to painting your floorboards, here are 10 affordable ways to improve your living space.
1. Add some house plants
Plants are one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your living space; they add colour, vibrancy, and life to any room. Plus, many are affordable and easy to look after. Perhaps the biggest benefit, however, is the effect that they can have on your well-being.
Multiple studies suggest that indoor plants can improve mood, productivity, focus, and creativity, while reducing stress and tiredness. Plants also help create clean air by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, so they can quickly turn a stale and stuffy room into a fresh indoor space.
You might choose to have a few larger statement houseplants or a selection of smaller, low-maintenance ones – or both, if you like the idea of a green living area. It can be effective to arrange groups of small plants at varying heights to create the illusion of a larger space.
For more inspiration, check out our articles: 8 plants to grow that are good for your health and 10 unique houseplants to upgrade your indoor space.
2. Choose the right lights
Getting the right lighting is an incredibly important – but often overlooked – aspect of improving your home. It can add warmth and ambience, is quick and easy to update, and doesn’t have to break the bank.
Even the simplest, most minimalistic living areas can seem cosy with the right lighting. It’s not very relaxing to sit in a room with glaring light, so even something as simple as switching to a warmer-coloured light bulb can make a difference.
However, for a bigger transformation, consider buying a couple of feature lamps that reflect your style and personality. Choosing floor or table lamps of different heights can also be effective, as this creates a pretty, layered look. Amazon has a wide selection for a range of budgets.
Alternatively, depending on your style, you might like to hang string lights from your ceiling or walls, which can create a nice shimmery effect and add a more ethereal touch. Or, you can read our article, 10 ways to bring more light into your home, for a different approach.
Give unwanteds a better next chapter
Your once-loved items are just waiting to be useful again. Pop them in a box, send them to Vintage Cash Cow for free, and they’ll make you an offer to rehome them all.
3. Layer rugs
Recarpeting your living space can be expensive and time-consuming. So why not consider buying a few new rugs (or second-hand ones) and changing up your flooring this way? IKEA has a great selection of affordable rugs, or if you’re happy to spend a little more, it’s worth looking at John Lewis’ collection.
Whether you have red wine stains or grubby paw prints to hide, or just want to give your living area an edgy new look, layering some rugs is a quick and easy way to give your room texture and cosiness. Plus, it works just as well on carpets as hard floors.
Layering rugs is simply placing them on top of each other to create a layered effect. There are dozens of rug types to choose from – Persian, jute, and faux fur, for example – and depending on your style, you can be as adventurous as you like.
If you prefer a bohemian look, you can go all out with contrasting textures, colours, and prints, or you can keep it classic and stick to simple colours.
Have a look at Country Living’s advice on layering rugs for more inspiration.
4. Consider your curtains or blinds
Curtains don’t just block out light and keep prying eyes away; they also help to frame your entire room. Raising them above your windows can make the area appear considerably bigger, too.
Window coverings are another aspect of decoration that’s often overlooked, but can really help make or break a room. If you’re not a fan of full, flowing curtains, there are plenty of other options: choose from shutters, blinds, drapes, or more modern coverings, for example.
While curtains usually complement big windows, if you have smaller ones, or a more casually-styled room, a blind might work better – plus, they’re easier to clean.
Whether you’d like purely functional window coverings or mainly decorative ones (or maybe a bit of both), there’s something for everyone. For more guidance, watch the video below, which explains how to measure and hang curtains.
5. Paint your walls
Another easy way to spruce up your living space is to put on an old shirt, grab your rollers, and paint your walls. It might seem like a big task, but painting a room yourself can be pretty therapeutic.
Or, if you don’t fancy doing it yourself and are happy to pay, you could consider getting a professional painter and decorator in. To compare qualifications, ratings, and reviews of nearby painters and decorators, simply enter your postcode on Bark.
Painting your walls can instantly reinvigorate and transform your whole living space, and there are thousands of different paint colours to choose from. To explore different colour schemes for 2026, have a read of Dulux’s colour of the year guide, or head over to your local B&Q or Homebase instead.
If you’re hesitant about painting an entire room, you could always paint a single wall or alcove as a feature wall for a pretty pop of colour. You’ll save a few pennies this way, too.
If you’re doing a DIY paint job, check out the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to paint a room.
6. Liven up your sofa
If you don’t want to splurge on a new sofa, you can easily liven up your couch by adding new cushions or throws. Cushions have got to be the most versatile of all soft furnishings. There are so many different colours, shapes, sizes, and textures, and mixing them up can create a fun, artistic effect.
You don’t even need to buy new cushions – cushion covers will do. This also means it’s easy to switch them up whenever you like. You can also change the colours and patterns every season, so your sofa always looks like an inviting place to curl up. Etsy has a great range of stylish cushion covers to choose from.
Bright throws are another easy way to add cosiness, colour, and texture to an old, tired sofa. Simply draping a pretty throw over an armchair or sofa can help give your living area a brand-new look. There are plenty of lovely, low-cost throws available at IKEA.
Or, if you’d like some ideas on how to style your sofa cushions, why not watch the video below?
7. Buy a big mirror
If you don’t already have a large mirror in your living area, you could consider getting one. Mirrors reflect light and make the whole space appear bigger and brighter – and they look great on the wall, too.
With so many different frames around, from glittering gilt to colourful mosaics and classic wood, it’s easy to find a mirror that perfectly matches your style and personality.
Browse some IKEA mirrors here, or if you prefer more antique furnishings, you could visit your local second-hand shop to see what’s on offer.
Alternatively, have a watch of the video below to see the difference a feature mirror can make to a living space.
8. Paint the floor
If your living space has a wooden floor, you can transform its overall look by giving the floorboards a lick of paint to create a stylish yet rustic feel. It might not be as quick as buying a rug, but it’s still budget-friendly – all you need is a tidy floor, a pot of paint, and a little patience.
If you’d like to make your living area seem brighter, you can paint your floorboards white, which is a great way to create the illusion of light and space. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, black-painted floorboards are very on-trend right now.
You might need to do a bit of prep first if you’d like your newly painted floors to look lovely and smooth. Try giving them a good sanding with medium-grade sandpaper to remove any bumps and shine – this will also make sure the paint sticks well.
Then, give your floor a good vacuum and wash it with warm water. Once it’s dry, you can get painting. You’ll find more about how to prep your floor in this useful guide from Real Homes. Alternatively, you might like to check out the video below.
9. Hang statement wallpaper
Hanging some patterned wallpaper to create a feature wall is an easy way to make a big statement for a small price. Wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to invigorate a tired living space and inject character into a room that’s maybe a bit bland.
There are so many patterns to choose from – tropical prints, bold geometrics, and pretty floral designs, to name just three.
If you’d like to make a statement with your wallpaper but aren’t 100% sure what style would work best, you can even buy peel-and-stick wallpaper – so if you change your mind, you can just peel it off. For inspiration, why not have a look at Walls Need Love’s list of peel-and-stick wallpaper designs?
You can choose to have your wallpaper hung by a professional, or, if you can do it yourself, it’s worth watching the video below first.
10. Get creative with art
Just as a big mirror and vibrant wallpaper can help make your living space look beautiful and unique, so can artwork. For example, you could hang stylish black and white photos on one wall, prop up oversized wall art against another, or choose a large, eye-catching painting to hang as your room’s main feature.
While original paintings can be expensive, you can always choose a print instead. Once these are framed, they can look similarly stylish.
Have a look at some of Desenio’s gorgeous examples of wall art to get inspired. Alternatively, if you have an artistic streak, why not consider making your own art to hang on your walls? Check out our guides to painting and drawing if you’d like to create your own pieces to hang with pride.
Or, if you’ve previously tried life painting and would like to brush up on your skills, check out our Painting Portraits from Photographs series over on Rest Less Events.
Give unwanteds a better next chapter
Your once-loved items are just waiting to be useful again. Pop them in a box, send them to Vintage Cash Cow for free, and they’ll make you an offer to rehome them all.
Final thoughts…
When thinking about home improvements, many of us assume it involves a lot of time and effort, but this isn’t always the case. There are many small ways you can freshen up or entirely transform your living space – and one of the best things is how quick and easy it can be.
Many of us like to keep a close eye on our budgets, so it’s great to see the difference you can make with a few well-placed plants or a mirror in the right spot. Plus, as the place we relax, entertain, and call home, there’s nowhere better to get creative.
For more ideas and inspiration, why not visit our home and garden section?
Have you recently improved your living space or done some DIY? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
Start your new chapter abroad with this free retirement guide
With Your Overseas Home, you will receive honest guidance, expert advice and a helping hand every step of the way.
Download the free guide to find out how to cut everyday living costs, get tax, pension and visa checklists, and discover top tips from the expat community.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines