Transform your living room for under $500

Finding the right furniture for your new home can feel like solving a puzzle. You want pieces that look good, will last through family life, and won't empty your wallet. It's frustrating when you visit those big box stores only to find basic dressers priced at hundreds of dollars! 

Trying to furnish an entire home while managing all your other expenses can feel overwhelming. But don't worry—there are actually great options for creating spaces your family will love without the financial stress. Many homeowners are surprised to discover they can find quality, affordable furniture alternatives that still reflect their personal styles.

We have some design inspiration that shows the power of furnishings found at ReStore. We took ONE trip to our Minneapolis location and took photos of items on the show floor so we could virtually design a living room. Check it out!

Family Room Essentials

Before diving into shopping, think about these family essentials:

1. Measure your space. Nothing's worse than falling in love with a couch that won't fit through your door. Jot down your room sizes and doorway widths on your phone so you have them handy.
2. Think about what your family does in each space. Will this be mainly for play, conversation, TV watching, or all of the above?
3. Keep your kids’ ages in mind. Toddlers need different considerations than teenagers.
4. Focus on durability and cleanability. Family spaces see heavy use!
5. Think about storage needs. Kids come with stuff that needs organizing.

Find Something You Like

If you're starting from scratch, or have an urge to refresh your living room or family room, start with one foundational piece—like a couch or some other large furniture piece.

If you're not sure where to start, you can always visit ReStore to see if something speaks to you. Find that one item that catches your eye. 

Balance

Items should complement each other. Colors should coordinate. Size and scale need to align. There are many factors designers use to create a pleasing design. Consider becoming more wabi-sabi in style. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic which appreciates imperfection, simplicity, and asymmetry, which blends seamlessly with families.

Don't be afraid to mix and match styles when shopping for items. There is actually a name for this: eclectic! When you find a good solid piece of furniture or something that has meaning to you, each unique item can be brought together in a beautiful way!

Take a look

It's a blank slate. A white room just waiting for some style. Here is the breakdown of actual costs for each item in the photo. 

• Couch: $125
• Square side table: $25
• Octagon side table: $15
• Coffee table: $45
• Round edged mirror: $30
• Multifaceted mirror: $55
• Rectangle pictures: $10 ($5 each)
• Lamps: $10 ($5 each)
• Chair: $20
• Hutch: $70
• Three gallons of Amazon Paint: $54 ($18/gallon)

TOTAL: $459

Have you ever seen an entire living room that costs under $500? 

Note how this room includes family-friendly features: 

• The couch fabric is durable and washable. 
• The hutch provides enclosed storage for items you want to keep away from little hands. 
• Open floor space allows for play areas.

Take it to the next level

Taking the same items from the previous photo, we've virtually made additional transformations to give the room a cohesive look.

If this design isn't your thing, don't worry. The base furniture remains the same and you can change all of the other elements. The couch and chair are neutral, so colors and materials can be interchanged based on what you like. Use your favorite colors or bring in items that mean something to you.

We recommend Amazon Paint, available at ReStore, for your walls. In this example, we used "Slate" grey. You can clearly see how the darker color brings in some drama.

If you've got little ones at home, you might want to look for washable paint finishes. Being able to wipe away those inevitable fingerprints and crayon marks will save your sanity!

The wood furniture pieces in the room each have a different style. When painted the same color, you can see that they work together. Mix and match items you love, then paint them the same color. You'll be amazed! You can purchase Recolor Chalk paint at $24/quart from ReStore to bring it all together. 

Add-on #1: Flooring

In the virtual example above, we added LVP flooring using the "Oak Ridge" color. Inventory tends to change based on donations, but we often have several pallets of new flooring. This particular style was$2.25/square foot. You'll need to do the math for your space.

We've found LVP flooring to be a real win for families. It handles all the running, spilling, and playing that comes with kids, and cleanup is a breeze. 

We also virtually added an area rug to ground the space, but this can be up to you and your preference. Consider washable rugs, which can be a lifesaver when juice spills and muddy footprints are part of daily life.

Add-on #2: Accessorize

It's hard to estimate what you might need, but use things you already have and be creative! Add a tray, candles, bowls, and books. This is where you can add personality. It’s the icing on a cake and what finishes a room.

Consider these practical accessorizing tips, especially for families: 

• Place breakable items on higher shelves 
• Use baskets or ottomans with storage for quick toy cleanup 
• Incorporate soft textiles like pillows and throws that can be easily washed 
• Display family photos or children's artwork in simple frames for a personal touch

When adding items, try displaying an odd number of items. Three or five of something have an aesthetic appeal. 

Finally, when designing a space, consider adding some element of nature like a small tree, plants, or flowers. Some designers swear by this tip, and you'd be surprised at how many design magazines do this when photographing great spaces. If you have curious toddlers or pets, consider placing child- or pet-safe plants out of reach.

Creating Transitional Spaces for Growing Families

The beauty of furnishing with ReStore finds is that you can create spaces that evolve with your family:

• Instead of a dedicated toy corner that you'll outgrow, choose a coffee table with storage or an ottoman where toys can be hidden away.
• Select a sturdy dining table that works for crafts today and homework tomorrow.
• Invest in a quality couch with a washable slipcover that can be updated as your style evolves.

Be Bold

Remember, a home should be both beautiful AND functional. By shopping at ReStore, you can create spaces that welcome the happy chaos of family life while still reflecting your personal style.

We hope you try something new this year and design your home with love. You can have a great-looking home without spending a ton of money. We're here to help. Use what you have, find your pe