by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: January 22, 2008

If your living room furniture is more shabby than chic, it's time for a makeover. But before you kick that peach and sage green couch to the curb, look under it's skirt.

If the couch was a good, solid piece when you purchased it, chances are the frame and springs are still in good shape. Consider reupholstering your couch. The single most important trend in interior design today is re-imaging existing furniture. This trend is part of the movement commonly referred to as Going Green.

The colors and fabrics may be worn out and out dated, but a well built couch, chair, table or cabinet can be reupholstered, stripped and stained, or repainted. Giving an old piece new life is trendy and it's budget friendly. Reupholstering can save you several hundred dollars and you help save the planet.

But there's more to a makeover than new fabric on an old couch. Before spending any money, consider the various style options available and decide what appeals to you.

Are you interested in modern furniture, with its sleek lines and slick surfaces? Consider including an Asian influence in your new design. With its minimalist focus and subtle hues, Asian dcor blends well with modern furniture. It also adds a little softness and warmth to a look that can easily become too cold.

Looking for something a little more west coast? Glamour is a new, fun way to add luxury to your life. Camelback couches and wing back chairs upholstered in bold geometric patterns and crowded with throw pillows add a real wow factor to your living room. Think art deco turned up a notch.

If this sounds like a budget buster, consider shifting to bohemian chic. This trendy new style pulls together thrift shop finds, classic lines, and funky contemporary furnishings. Reupholster your peach and sage green couch in a soft taupe-colored chenille and mix it up with mid-century modern tables and smaller, comfortable chairs dressed in bold patterns. This is an inexpensive way to get a new, very versatile update for your living room.

For a traditional look that doesn't look brand new, consider keeping one or two of your small pieces, and update the more dominant ones. Most furniture stores showcase living room sets, or suites, in a multitude of styles. Take a look at all the traditional displays, and mix it up, taking a couch from one set and matching chairs from another.

If you like the soft curvy look of traditional furniture, but want something a little more contemporary, look for pieces with a modern twist on a classic design. For example, the wing back chair is taking on a new look. Smaller in size and slender in profile, the new wing chair has the traditional softness but offers a more modern sensibility.

Leather is always stylish, and can be a versatile element. Often associated with modern design, leather furniture is also popular in southwestern dcor, Santa Fe style, and more organic styles such as bohemian chic and eclectic.

Whatever direction you take in your dcor, you'll want to invest your money wisely. Before making any purchase, check online for local sales at furniture stores. Sites such as furniture.com act as catalogues for major retailers. Don't overlook the smaller, privately owned shops or thrift shops. These often have unique items that can serve as a focal point in your design.

Making over your living room can be exciting. Just remember to decide on a style direction, think green and re-image good pieces, and mix it up. Style is about making your space right for you, not about rules or following the pack. So be adventurous, and love your new living room.

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