Keeping your home on trend while dealing with a budget isn’t the easiest thing to do, but with a little patience and creativity, it’s possible to upgrade your living room without breaking the bank — or giving it a complete overhaul. So let’s dive into the hottest living room trends with budget in mind.
The year of 2025 is all about dark colours and design that strikes a mood, with warm woods, a touch of nature and interesting textures that add contrast and depth. Colour drenching, lime washing, minimalist touches and biophilic design that bring organic textures and the outdoors in are also big.
If you’re looking to upgrade your living room this year, here are some simple ways to work with the current trends, even if you’re on a budget.
Use Pinterest to Your Advantage and Plan Ahead
Who doesn’t turn to Pinterest for inspo when it comes to redoing a room? And why wouldn’t you, when there are so many great ideas on there? When you’re planning out a living room, you can easily search for trendy Pinterest living room ideas to incorporate into your space, or you could also look by colour palettes once you’ve decided which update you want to go with.
In 2025 some key colour combos include various shades of brown, soft natural woods and whites, greens in the fern or eucalyptus family, marine blues, dusty pinks, quartz, mauves and cinnamon. You can also search for colour inspo based on your design style, with options like mid-century modern, rustic farmhouse or cozy neutrals.
Even if you already have an idea of how you want your space to look, it’s always a good idea to do a quick search to see if there are ways to elevate your ideas or even perfect them. Have a plan before you start. It’s easy to splash paint on the walls, but harder (and more expensive) to change your design because you’ve realized it isn’t gelling midway through.
Related: The Most Popular Paint Colours of 2025 According to Pinterest
Make the Most of Small Spaces
If you have a small apartment living room, you probably don’t want to make it seem smaller by turning to the darker, brown-on-brown trend. But that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate it in subtle ways. A statement armchair, a feature wall, indoor plants and unique fabrics are great ways to add personality without overdoing it.
Consider peel-and-stick wallpaper with a textured finish to emulate the lime wash or exposed brick trend and create a focal point on one wall or even the ceiling. Or, choose a signature colour and drench that wall with it instead. Opt for lighter wood pieces and add texture and colour with throw pillows and blankets. Go for cozy minimalist where possible, with a few key plants or natural decor items to bring it all together.
Hidden technology, like a TV that doubles as artwork, smart lighting or hidden charging stations is another easy update to make that works well in a small space. That’s particularly true if you work from home and your living room doubles as your home office!
Create Unique Wall Art
Personality and antique/upcycled living are key parts of current living room trends, which means now is an excellent time to put together that photo wall you’ve been dreaming about. Hit your local thrift stores to find unique frames with interesting textures and personality, and print out a few of your favourite photos to make the space yours.
If you want a more streamlined look, search for 3D art that incorporates metallics or woods. An oversized piece on the wall behind the couch can be a great and inexpensive way to add instant personality to a space. Or, really lean into the biophilic trend and create a plant wall with easy-to-care-for plants like succulents.
Related: Create the Perfect Gallery Wall on Your First Go With These 6 Tips
Add Personality With Window Coverings
Don’t forget to look for window ideas for living rooms when you’re planning out your design. While we can’t change the shape of the window itself, it is possible to create an entire vibe with window coverings. Minimalist designs and functional blinds are fine, but why not add even more personality with drapes? Find material inspired by the lime wash trend or add a statement colour to complement neutral white walls.
In 2025, it’s also trendy to add thicker materials with texture, such as bouclé, velvet and heavy knits, especially if they’re in earthy or warm neutral tones. If you’re unable to update your actual living space with these textures, consider finding window coverings that embrace them instead.
Related: We Predict the Biggest Home Decor Trends for 2026
Find What Works For You
It’s nice to have an updated space that you feel good in, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to keep up with current trends for that to happen. Small changes can be just as, if not more, impactful than a complete overhaul. Plus they can be more cost effective if you’re watching your budget.
You also don’t need to embrace every single trend that comes out in order to update your space. Pick one that speaks to you and think about how it can translate. At the end of the day you’re the one who will live there, so remember, that makes you the most important judge in this whole process.
