Home Organisation Tips For Busy Parents

If your living room is looking tired and dated, you'd probably like to give it a more contemporary and attractive look. However, you might not have the budget that you think you'll need to achieve a modern makeover of the space. Fortunately, you can transform your living room without the hefty price tag of an expensive renovation project. These two simple and inexpensive projects will help to inject new life and more style into even the dowdiest and old-fashioned living room.

1. Install custom-made blinds

Window dressings are a practical necessity in a living room and ensure privacy and light control for the room. They also play a large role in the overall aesthetics of the space which can be both negative or positive depending on the window dressing in question.

Tatty, faded and stained curtains in unfashionable fabrics are a common feature in older living rooms. They may still serve their functional purpose but they aren't doing the room any favours as far as looks go. Replacing them with some sleek and modern blinds that have clean lines and a contemporary colour can instantly lift your living room from gloomy to gorgeous.

There are many different styles of custom blinds to choose from depending on your tastes and the design style you're aiming for. Simple roller blinds, modern Venetian blinds and Roman blinds are all popular styles which provide a contemporary yet classic look that works well with any decor.

2. Add a fresh coat of paint

Nothing transforms a room quite like a coat of paint. This is a fast and cost-effective way to modernise your living room and give it a fresh and inviting new look. Opt for a light shade in a neutral colour such as white, beige or taupe but make sure that the paint has warm undertones so that the room feels warm and not cool and clinical.

If you'd like to add some colour to the room, you can create a feature wall that's painted in a brighter and bolder colour. Feature walls make a great backdrop for photographs and artwork or as a colourful frame for an ornate or favourite furniture item.

If you're hoping to keep your costs to a minimum, you may prefer to repaint the room yourself instead of paying a contractor. If so, remember that preparation is an important but often overlooked part of the painting process. Ensure the walls are thoroughly cleaned so that the paint won't peel or crack after it's dry. Also, remember to fill in any cracks or holes with putty and allow it to dry before painting over it.