Let Pillows Do the Talking: Five Easy Ideas for a Posh Sitting Room

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If it seems like your living room’s looking a little blah—we’re talking about that mountain of remotes cluttering your coffee table and the dust-collecting books haphazardly stacked on teetering shelves—read on. Real estate pros have a bevy of cheap tricks to make a space look more elevated. Follow these six tips to revamp your living room without breaking the bank.

Switch out your bulbs

“One quick step you can take to update your living room is to change out your light switches to dimmable switches and switch out lightbulbs to bulbs that have warmer tones. This will go a long way towards making your living room seem more put together.” —Jeremiah Vancans, real estate agent at Compass in Los Angeles

Let your pillows do the talking

“In an instant, pillows can change the look and feel of a living room. The key is to invest in good inserts and covers. They’ll last a lifetime and can always be swapped out and reintroduced.” —Rebecca Chambliss, real estate agent at Compass in Los Angeles

Find creative ways to perk up fabric

“Getting new slipcovers for sofa pillows and replacing solid fabrics with a luxe faux fur or rich texture will make your space look more expensive without a hefty price tag.” —Elliott Ferrier, real estate agent at Scope Realty in New York City

Remove any eyesores

“This includes dirty or worn carpet and upholstery, bowling trophies, bowls the kids made in camp, class photos, paperback books, and magazines or newspapers. None of Fido’s toys or beds should be in the living room. Baby grand pianos are fine but electric keyboards and organs are anathema.” —Gerard Splendore, a real estate agent at Warburg Realty in New York City

Accessorize with elegant items

“Black and white photos in silver or black ‘document’ frames with cream or white mats will project your living room into a new level of luxury. White, never colored, candles in silver candlesticks project a higher price point in a subtle way. Boxwood topiary trees, again good fakes or the real thing, can add a touch of class, especially when displayed in pairs.” —Splendore

Culled from Apartment Therapy