Budget-friendly Ideas to Decorate Large Living Rooms

A spacious living room is a treat but decorating such a big area, especially when on a budget, can be a tricky task. However, money doesn't need to be a roadblock on your way to a cozy living room. We've spoken to several design gurus who shared their best low-cost large living room decor tips for you.

In big living rooms, art can play a crucial part in establishing a focal point. There are two methods for this - a large canvas art or a collection of smaller artworks put together creating a gallery wall. The latter needs some more tact and effort to pull off.

"I'm more inclined towards the simple way of art presentation," says Eric Ross, the owner of Eric Ross Interiors. "A large wall should have larger art on it, or a crisp arrangement of 6 to 9 pieces."

Danielle Domingues, owner of Collins and Co. Interiors, concurs, stating that big scale items allow your glance to pause and rest, creating a sense of intimacy and peace in the room.

When styling larger rooms, a one-tone paint job is preferable to applying patterned wallpaper, according to interior designer Laurie Gorelick. Patterned wallpaper can be pricey and overpowering in big spaces.

"I tend to avoid using patterned wallpapers in large living rooms," she explains. "Maintaining walls in a single color, perhaps with contrasting trim, is preferable to finding the right scale wallpaper that won't clash with the furniture."

This doesn't mean you can't have some fun with wallpaper though. Gorelick suggests using lightly textured, monotone wallpaper to add a unique touch without overcomplicating the space. Alternatively, the ceiling can also be a canvas for patterned wallpaper.

When it comes to using patterns, Ross strongly recommends incorporating prints into your decor to make the space look cozy, unique and lived-in. "Solids need more technique to create a layered feel," he notes. "Prints and patterns, on the other hand, can help achieve a friendly look a bit more quickly."

Fabrics are a cost-effective consideration to bring patterns into your living room decor. Upholstered furniture, patterned pillows, curtains, and rugs can all cater to this effect.

Furnishing a large space step-by-step or in 'zones' is a smart strategy, too, as per Domingues. Starting with the main seating area and moving to additional seating areas as and when the budget allows can make the task less daunting. She suggests creating smaller zones that add a thoughtfully planned touch while offering flexibility for different uses.

To visually bind these separate zones, Domingues advises using rugs of similar color schemes.

It's more likely to go wrong by under-sizing decor elements than over-sizing them for a large room. However, Ross suggests considering the seating capacity rather than simply getting large furniture. At the very least, a living room should seat six adults easily.

In terms of rug size, Gorelick advises leaving a distance of about 18 to 24 inches between the rug edge and the room perimeter.

If this size rug doesn't fit your budget, Domingues offers a clever solution. "You can get the wall-to-wall carpet cut to size and have the edges bound or trimmed, usually at a fraction of the cost," she says.