An Interior Designer Shares What to Replace in Your Living Room + Why

Replace matching throw pillows with fresh patterns and designs.

According to Joyner, an easy way to change the design of your living room is to replace matching pillows that may have come with your sofa with coordinating pillows.

“Mix velvet and linen, add silk, and bring in animal print to keep the sofa fresh,” Joyner told Business Insider.

Joyner also recommended collecting throw pillows from your favorite stores to create your own tailored or tailored look.

Bring real plant life into your home.

Although artificial plants can make your life easier, Joyner recommends replacing all fake foliage and flowers with real ones to improve your space and even your life.

“Live plants are the key to any good room,” Joyner told BI. “They purify the air and can sharpen the focus.”

Replace floor lamps with sconces to add interest to a room.

To give your living room a little more style, consider changing your lighting.

“I love a good sconce because it adds so much interest to a room,” Joyner said. “I often use them in bedrooms with adjustable arms, so you really have task lighting for reading.”

Joyner also suggested using scones to add light to a dark hallway or to frame a mirror.

Upgrade your window treatments with something more personalized if you have the budget.

Not only is going the custom route a great way to avoid ill-fitting window coverings that don’t control sunlight the way you’d like, but it also tends to look better.

“Store-bought curtains are usually quite thin and not very luxurious,” Joyner told BI. “Customized curtains immediately enhance your space.”

Joyner also said that with custom window treatments, you can also add puddles and widths together to create a fuller appearance.

Swap out your old throws for a lush cashmere or linen blanket.

Replace your old blankets that don’t match your interior’s aesthetic and invest in something that does.

“Think cashmere or linen,” Joyner said. “Spend a little more money on a great blanket that fits the room, and you’ll never have to hide it again.”

Even though your sofa may not be expensive, a quality cover could improve its appearance.

Make a statement by replacing your mismatched lamps with coordinating ones.

Joyner suggested making a statement by purchasing oversized or downsized lamps.

“I love good lamps and I search high and low for the right lamps for the right space,” Joyner said. “Lately I’ve been obsessed with lamps in the kitchen. They couldn’t be more perfect for adding low light to any kitchen.”

Make your home more eco-friendly by replacing all your light bulbs with LEDs.

According to Joyner, the glow of LEDs is softer, prettier and much more energy efficient

“I want my rooms to be clean, not yellow,” Joyner told BI. “Plus, they last much longer.”

Start an art collection by trading in your posters for real works of art.

“Find up-and-coming local artists that you like and start a collection that you can grow over time,” Joyner said.

Joyner recommended ordering affordable art prints from places like Juniper Print Shop and Artfully Walls and having them custom framed to make a lovely piece for your walls.

Add fun and fabulous wallpaper to your home in place of plain, painted walls.

“While I love a good paint color, wallpaper can transform the space,” Joyner told BI. “Textured papers can specifically add a lot of warmth to a space.”

While there are many options to choose from, Joyner recommended adding texture to a space using a print or grasscloth.

Move your layout each season to keep your space fresh.

It’s free to rearrange your living space. For example, you can move your sofa to face the fireplace in winter and the windows in summer.

Joyner also suggested tilting your furniture and adjusting your couch and chairs before entertaining guests.

“I touch each piece of furniture before guests arrive so the room feels fresh,” Joyner said.

Replace machine-made rugs with unique vintage rugs.

To bring more character to your living room, replace any manufactured rugs with something vintage.

“Find a great vintage rug at an estate sale to add character and age to it,” Joyner told BI. “I recently found two 10-foot by 14-foot rugs at an estate sale for $200 each. They’re not high quality, but they have nice colors and a nice design.”

Machine-made rugs are great, but if you really want to add character, Joyner said, consider incorporating a hand-knotted rug.

Invest in a wonderful light fixture to replace your old ceiling fan.

One way to (literally) light up a room is with a beautiful ceiling light.

To do this, Joyner suggests replacing your ceiling fan in your living room with a wonderful light fixture.

Even if it has to hug the ceiling, Joyner said, just finding something unique or vintage is a great way to add character to a new home.

This story was originally published on April 2, 2022 and last updated on May 17, 2024.