44 Cheap (But Expensive-Looking) Living-Room Decorations
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Our of all the rooms in your house, you probably spend the most time in your living room (especially now that we’re all basically certifiable binge-watchers and couch potatoes). While we’ve explored the world of cheap-but-expensive-looking apartment décor, bathroom décor, kitchen décor, and bedroom décor, here we’re moving on to the living room, which is often one of the most, well, lived-in spaces in a home (your mother’s “formal” all-white living room aside). Below, lots of little things that’ll make a big impact on your space, from a cruelty-free cowhide rug to mid-century modern accent chairs to woven storage baskets. While all of the things on this list are available on Amazon, we’ve found some of them elsewhere, too, for those who like to shop around.
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Faux cowhide is hard to pull off, especially on a budget, but this excellent-looking rug will have all your guests fooled.
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Perfect storage for extra throws and pillows.
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A cozy way to dress up any accent chair.
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This set of pillow covers comes in a coveted bouclé-like fabric.
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A classic wishbone chair will nicely complement your mid-century modern décor.
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The ideal perch for drinks, the remote, or your favorite candle.
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Mirrors are notoriously expensive, but we found this under-$100 full-length mirror that would look great leaning in the corner of your living room.
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This ottoman is a great dupe for CB2’s popular but expensive poufs.
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Pop this table behind your sofa. It offers a place to put drinks and snacks while also helping you define your space in an open floor plan.
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For all your copies of New York Magazine.
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If you’re looking for a better way to display your books, we recommend these nifty shelves that, when full, make it look like you have a floating stack of books (a.k.a. abstract art installations) in your living room.
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If you have a little more floor space, this wall-mounted bookshelf is sleek and modern while providing a lot of storage.
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A cheeky little bud vase for your faux (or real) flowers.
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Jonathan Adler Women’s Eyes Valet Tray
This Jonathan Adler tray is a good spot to throw your keys, some gum, and those half-filled coffee punch cards you took out of your wallet but won’t throw away until you can redeem them.
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A lamp to read (or watch Netflix) by.
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This book features a broad swathe of intimate photographs that Jean-Francois Jaussaud took of artist Louise Bourgeois over the last 11 years of Bourgeois’s life. It would make any coffee table (and its owner) look more sophisticated.
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A set of balancing blocks that’ll be fun for guests to fiddle with while you’re busy entertaining. When not being fiddled with, they add a neat, sculptural detail to a coffee table.
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A kindercore clock for your wall.
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This matte-brass lamp would feel at home in any contemporary or vintage living room (or bedroom).
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A simple (and very inexpensive) art print that’s nice enough to frame.
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Or try this Matisse print, which has been spotted on the walls of cool people all over Instagram.
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This vintage-looking brass side table would be ideal next to a reading chair. It’s even foldable if you need to make more space in a pinch.
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Designate an area for your post-work Martinis with this metal-and-wood bar cart.
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A stately walnut coffee table with three kicky little legs.
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This wall hanging will add a little texture to your room.
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Half of this TV stand will hide unsightly wires and cords, while the other half will display your tchotchkes.
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This is possibly the cheapest linen sofa we’ve ever seen.
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A very fun set of lips as an ashtray or a most unusual candy dish.
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This circular mirror will make your space seem bigger and brighter.
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Umbra Estique Over-the-Door Multi-Use Organizer
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Our pick for the next status candle has notes of sandalwood, clay, clove flower, oud, and ylang-ylang.
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Or go unscented and sculptural with one of these striking candlesticks our writer can’t stop buying.
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We like a clear tray for keeping coffee-table trappings organized.
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Two Scandi-inspired nesting end tables. Keep them together to make a space-saving coffee table or separate them for two coordinating end tables.
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This little jadeite dish can collect all your odds and ends while looking just a bit vintage.
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A cozy throw blanket in a neutral shade that matches pretty much any style of home décor.
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Rotot Pouf Cover
Fill this pouf cover with pillows, down stuffing, or whatever else you prefer and it becomesa versatile and affordable extra seat, a side table, or a foot rest (which happens to look similar to the oneAmy Sedaris owns).
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A plant that will breathe fresh air into a space (literally).
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If you don’t have a ton of floor space, these plant hangers are a great way to suspend your new plant friends from a wall.
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Those without a green thumb can instead go with a perennial, no-maintenance favorite: pampas grass.
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This “floating” lamp with a yellow bulb casts a warm, flattering glow.
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A five-by-eight–foot classic shag carpet that you can really sink your toes into.
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Two powdery-colored throw-pillow covers for the price of a Sweetgreen salad. (Just don’t forget to get two of the actual pillows.)
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