Haley Chang

"Rearrange the furniture you have," says designer Sue Adams. Experiment with your pieces, and think about how you can have a comfortable conversation with someone who is sitting on another piece of… more furniture. "Create an intimate seating area. Pull the sofa off the wall if necessary." Design by Velvet Hammerschmidt.

Cut the Clutter

In every space, it is important to clean," says designer Kathy Hoffman. "Clutter distracts guests from seeing the important pieces. This is especially important in the living room, because it is often the room that gives the first impression of your home." Kathy's advice includes thoughtful display of your most precious things. "Over the fireplace, create one focal point with a few accent pieces. Display a few photos in nice frames and possibly a small collection of books. Large collections should be displayed in their own space. whether in a bookcase or on a shelf." Design by Jennifer Duneier.

Add Style With Pillows

"If a DIY decorator has only $100 to freshen a living room, I would start with the decorator's best friend: new toss pillows," says Sue Adams, owner/principal of Sue Adams Interiors of Boston and Andover, MA. Sue is also a proponent of the power of paint and has some tips. "I would paint the walls with a color that is elsewhere in the room but not dominant. Don't use the same color as the sofa or rug. Maybe take a color from the rug or the new toss pillows." Design by David Bromstad.

Paint It

For a $100 update, designer Kathy Hoffman of Susan Fredman Design Group says, "A fresh coat of paint goes a long way toward creating a new look in any space, and not just on the walls. Reinvent a piece of furniture by changing the color and the hardware, or give a tired, dark brick fireplace a second life by painting it creamy white." Design by Angelo Surmelis.

Purchase Your Big Accessories

Designer Sue Adams has a few ideas for how to make the most of $500. "Add a new rug to anchor the floor, a new piece of art to add interest at eye level and a new lamp so that you can see the room as well as add ambiance."

Hang Artwork to Make a Statement

Designer Kathy Hoffman says for $500 to "expand your shopping list to include new lighting, interesting accents such as pillows or a decorative throw, and a piece of artwork for a focal point. Slipcover the furniture, if necessary. Do not invest in new furniture because of the expense. Start by shopping in your own home. There may be an unused bookcase in the basement or forgotten end tables stacked in the garage. Quality furniture should be treated as an investment. If it is not in your budget up front, make it a goal to save up for what you need and improvise in the interim."