This living room update was done in a single-family home in Dallas, Texas. The space felt flat and outdated, but a full remodel wasn’t an option. The goal was to refresh the room without spending too much.
Before photo: plain walls, old furniture layout
The plan was simple: repaint the walls, swap out the curtains, and add better lighting. I chose a neutral paint, but once it went on the wall, it looked darker than expected. I almost left it, but ended up adding a second, lighter coat the next day.
During renovation – painting and lighting setup.
New curtains and a floor lamp helped soften the room, but I misjudged the curtain length at first. They were a bit too short, which annoyed me more than it probably should have. Exchanging them fixed the issue, though it added an extra trip to the store.
After photo – brighter, refreshed living room.
The final cost stayed under $400, even with the extra paint and curtain swap. One wall still has a faint patch you can see in certain lighting, but overall the room feels warmer and more inviting.
If you’re in Dallas and trying to upgrade a living room on a budget, small changes can still make a noticeable difference.
Honest Thought
This wasn’t perfect or fast, but it turned out better than expected.