How to Jazz Up Dull Furniture on a Budget

Bright pillows add life to a dull couch.

Dull or drab furniture can be a downer from the moment you enter the room. When it’s not feasible to get a new couch or to update your tables and chairs, choose simple, cost-effective ways to update and jazz up your dull furniture. If you can’t change the furniture, change what’s around it to make an impact.

Things You'll Need

• Accent pillows
• Throws
• Paint
• Accessories
• Slipcovers
• Area rugs

Instructions

1. Add cheap accents to your dull furniture. Look for low-cost pillows and throws. If you have a boring brown couch, try adding a coffee-colored pillow or two for accent or drape a deep red blanket on an angle across the couch. Adding color here and there avoids overwhelming the room with bold colors.

2. Paint the walls if you own the home or have the property owner’s permission. An accent wall can make a huge difference in your room. Choose the wall behind your drabbest piece of furniture. Paint is a cheap fix that gives the wall and the room a fresh look. Try a complementary color to your couch -- for a dull couch try accenting with a muted green, or if you are feeling bold, a deep crimson.

3. Change the focus. If you can't physically change your furniture, detract from it. Add a few accent pieces like a vase of flowers or small sculpture. A small shelf with a few inexpensive picture frames will help move eyes away from your dull furniture.

4. Cover your eyesores. Traditional slipcovers for couches and chairs can be just as unsightly as the dull, drab couches themselves. Look for modern designs in plain or current prints. If you are an avid sewer or crafter, create a slipcover. You can also pick fabrics to coordinate with accent pillows.

5. Pep up your table and chairs with bright fabrics. Find patterns for chair covers, while sewing a tablecloth is basic and simple. Use seasonal fabrics to brighten your room. Try placing a simple flower arrangement and few candles on your table.

6. Spice up laminate or hardwood floors with an area rug. A colorful rug provides a nice cushion around your furniture area and can tie together the color elements in your room.

References

• Colorado State; Stretching Decorating Dollars; C. Birdsong, and K.R. Tremblay Jr