6 Ways to Create an Instagram-Worthy Living Room on a Budget

By Kailey Walters on April 7, 2020

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

One of the most rewarding and exciting parts about having a place to call your own is that you get to make it feel like home. That involves breaking out your inner interior designer to create a space that you’ll love, particularly in your living room. After all, that’s probably where you spend most of your time when you’re lounging around at home, so why not put the effort into making it the best, most aesthetic place it can be?

Of course, decorating comes at a price — but don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to create a beautiful, Instagram-worthy living room while still operating on a budget.

via Pexels

1. Clean up.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to create an aesthetic living room is to clean up. This may be easier said than done — if the living room is indeed where you spend much of your time, it’s bound to have a homey, lived-in feeling, which is a good thing … but that can sometimes translate into clutter. To clean up, you may need to ditch some old habits so that you don’t find yourself cleaning up the same mess every single day. For instance, instead of tossing things down on the coffee table every time you pass by the living room, put things away in their proper places. Doing so will help you get organized and keep your coffee table neat and spotless for that Instagram look.

You can also rearrange furniture and decor to create a cleaner, more seamless look for your living room. Think rearranging books and other objects on your bookshelf if you have one, or moving pieces of furniture around to figure out what kind of arrangement you like most. Ultimately, taking some time to clean and reorganize your living room, even without adding anything new, comes at no financial cost to you and will help save your budget.

2. Cultivate a theme.

One of the coolest things about decorating your own place is getting it to fit your personal aesthetic: what you like, what feels right to you, and what matches the rest of your home. Showcase furniture and decor that fits a certain theme or aesthetic; for example, if you’re into creating a beach look with bright colors and seashell decor, go for it! That way, whenever you walk into your living room after a long day, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming space that you’re happy to be in.

3. Add succulents and other plants.

One cute way to add a little extra flair to your living room is to use succulents and other little plants. If they fit with the aesthetic you’re going for, take advantage of this simple addition to your decor by placing succulents and other plants in different spots around your living room. You don’t need many — a few here and there will do, perhaps as a centerpiece for your coffee table, on a bookshelf, or on a windowsill.

You don’t have to spend a lot of effort or money on them, either. Succulents are easy to take care of, as you need only water them a few times a week. And if you really don’t feel like taking on the extra burden of caring for your plants, you can always buy fake ones instead — they look just as good and are no hassle.

via Pexels

4. Visit thrift stores and yard sales for unique, affordable furniture.

A great way to fill your living room with some unique, cool furniture and decor at a reasonable price is to visit your local thrift stores and yard sales. The saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” totally applies here. You never know what gems may be waiting for you until you take a look for yourself — you may just find a cool piece of furniture or decor that speaks to you. Plus, it’s always nice to support your local stores and neighbors!

5. Get some throw pillows and blankets for your sofa.

Pillows and blankets are an affordable and easy option for creating that Instagram-worthy look you’re going for. Find some throw pillows and blankets that match the general aesthetic of your living room, whether in color, shape, size, or pattern and feel free to leave them all over your sofa.

6. Get a nice area rug.

An easy and effective way to spice up your living room is to add a nice area rug. Not only does it cover up unsightly scratches and scuff marks, but it also adds a new and exciting element to the room, especially if you go for a rug with an interesting pattern and/or color. Don’t forget to consider the size of the rug, too — pick a rug that is an appropriate size for your living room so that it doesn’t look out of place or disproportional.

Decorating your living room doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor; on the contrary, it’s quite doable on a budget. Plus, hunting for great deals as you visit yard sales, thrift stores, and other cheap options can be tons of fun as you create the perfect living space for yourself.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format