Want to give your living room that much-needed facelift but wondering how much your little home improvement project is going to cost you? Turning your home into a space that exudes personality, whilst on a budget, needn’t be an impossible task to achieve. While you may have stored multiple images on your phone, pinned #decorinspiration on your Pinterest boards or scourged online decor stores to fulfil your dream remodelling project, we bring on our expert, Pranjal Agarwal, CEO of Hèrmosa Design Studio who set us the challenge to totally transform a living room in under 10k! He reiterates that an individual can get the best of both worlds. "Think, high on style and low on cost! Any person can transform their living space under Rs.10,000 without having to compromise on quality, flexibility and availability," he says. Following are 10 tips shared by Agarwal to turn your humble abode from drab to glam! Read on...

Find the perfect spot for all furniture

"The first thing that you need to do before making any changes is to observe your living space," advises Agarwal. According to the space you have, whether it is confined or spacious, you can add or remove furniture pieces. Ideally, for a confined space, you can have a large sectional sofa against the wall which can be paired with compact chairs to increase the seating capacity.

Opt for cosy neutral tones

"Those sceptical of choosing lighter tones should know that it won’t overly simplify your interiors!" Points out the young entrepreneur. Blend these colours in with pops of darker shades for a vibrant contrast which will help add character to your living room. "One could use decor pieces in coordinated tones and pillows in accent hues to keep the overall aesthetic of the place true to its core design ideology," he says.

Accessorise your living room well. Image courtesy Quirk Studiopaint

Choose the right accessories to uplift your space

Decor pieces play an extremely essential role in ensuring that your home space has an inviting look. A fun and interesting pro tip by Agarwal, "Don’t shy away from experimenting, as these small additions can express your personality in a subtle yet artistic manner. Metallic pieces, wallpapers, and clocks are all easy items that can really transform your place significantly without overshadowing the interiors." We are excited to try these out already!

Let the light in

Who doesn't enjoy the trickling rays of the morning sunlight illuminating your living room? Every home needs to be able to breathe and revitalize its soul in natural daylight. "One could look for curtains that are translucent enough to let in the perfect amount of light, along with neutral-toned rugs that absorb the heat during the day and give off a cooling effect," recommends Agarwal.

Allow your furniture to tell a story

"One of the most difficult tasks that home-owners face is how to maintain a similar palette throughout the house without losing their initial thought process," he points out. It is of vital importance that you build a theme that resonates with your design preferences, as it can serve as an anchor to design your living room around. Ensure that the colours and patterns are selected in a synchronized manner so that it won’t overburden the other elements of your decor.

Declutter like there is no tomorrow

Yes, you heard that right, while you may find yourself clinging on to old collectables or junk from a previous life, it is time that you Marie Kondo your space. Toss out old decor items and bring in fresh new designs that will lease your living room a new life. "While one loves to hold on to items that have some sentimental value, it is also one of the reasons why your space looks smaller than it actually is. Look for furniture with in-built storage for all your non-essential things. The added functionality will ensure that every penny spent is worthwhile!" He says.

Never too late to experiment

Get creative and look to fill in your living room with unique finds or proudly display your artistic pursuits on your wall. "People always tend to forget how useful our walls can be; it’s like a giant blank canvas waiting for you to explore its endless possibilities," he says while we nod in agreement.

Expert Style Tip: Adorn your walls with shelves, wall hangings, flowers, and clocks which will give your place a classic yet contemporary look.

Usher positivity into your space

Adding plants to your living space is an easy hack to add beauty and character to your living room. But aesthetics aren't the only benefit of these green beings. "Whether you have a green thumb or not, you will appreciate the power of house plants for lifting your mood and spirit," says Agarwal. Succulent plants in ceramic mugs and vases can give a rustic feel to your place, and the therapeutic benefits make it a no-brainer. If you have an extra surface space in the living room without much going on there you can also try-scoring tons of planters to create your very own lovely little plant shrine.

Update your old decor pieces with a fresh look

"If you are unable to get rid of old stuff, try changing things up instead by switching small aspects of your older furniture such as new handles and repainting shelves. This serves as an achievable way to elevate old decor while retaining its value," he says. You could also repolish old switches for a polished, renewed appeal.

Become a conscious buyer

As a design lover, one must understand the value of the pieces they buy. Since original art could be heavy on the wallet, buy products that add value to your home with its quality. "While mass-produced products might have a lesser price tag, their short life span will make them a costly investment in the long run. On the other hand, good quality products will last you for a considerably longer amount of time," he concludes.