by Shawnte Pierce

Created on: April 28, 2009   Last Updated: April 29, 2009

A new interior fashion season is here and you have finished your seasonal cleaning but something is still missing. That's right; your home is stuck in a time warp! It is time to trade in old and bring in the new to bring new life to your living room. Slipcovers are a cheap way to have that new furniture look for a fraction of the price. Wal-Mart has slipcovers available in a variety of fabrics and colors at reasonable prices. Stay away from corduroys, velvets, and chenilles and opt for lighter cottons and leathers or leather-like fabrics as these are easer to clean and care for.

Replacing or installing carpet can be expensive, so why not opt for a throw or area rug. Area rugs are a great way to help decrease wear and tear on heavy traffic areas of your floors and carpets. Some area and throw rugs are suitable to hang on walls as wall decorations bringing new life to the room. Search around at discount stores, yard sales, even Goodwill to find cheap, yet attractive area rugs to bring your living room to life. Accent pillows can provide added flair to sofas and loveseats making them welcoming to your guests. Accent pillows are small enough to hold bold prints and brighter colors while not overpowering the room or making it appear tacky. Plus accent pillows are able to be updated where you can change the cover to match your design changes year round. The look of your room is not the only thing that should be updated periodically.

Update the aroma of your living room with scents that refresh the area and bring calm to your home. Scents such as citrus, gardenia, honeysuckle, and water lily are perfect for the spring/summer months, while spice scents like cinnamon and vanilla are perfect for fall/winter. Search for scented accents to compliment a living room both visually and olfactory. Items such as reed diffusers, scented candles, and scented rocks add visual beauty along with a great smell. Have a mixture of reed diffusers and scented rocks displayed throughout the living room. For instance, the coffee table can house a decorative bowl or vase filled with scented rocks. If you have a fireplace in the living room that is not in use during the spring and summer use the mantle above it to house different vases in varied colors filled with fragranced reed diffuser oil and reeds. You can purchase reed diffusers at any store that specializes in aromatherapy products. However, creating your own reed diffusers that will specifically complement the theme you have created for your room is more cost effective in the long run and allow for more creativity on your part.

Save on Crafts has wholesale prices for vases, reeds, and reed diffuser oils so you can create your own reed diffusers tailored to your home. If you do not find the scent you are searching for, another option is to make your own reed diffuser oil. Snowdrift Farm has an easy recipe for creating your own reed diffuser oil along with a host of other bath, body, and home aromatherapy recipes.

There you have it folks. You now have some simple and affordable ideas to help you update your living room. Check out Wal-Mart and other discount retailers for affordable slipcovers, accent pillows, area rugs, and other items that will get your home ready for each season. Redecorating your home or just a room in your home does not have to be an expensive project. Times are rough and money is tight, but you can still be creative and stay in style on a budget.

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