You will be entertaining your guests in the living room so you want it to look impressive.

It doesn't matter that you can't afford expensive Italian marble. Opt for laminate flooring with a marble or granite finish. The difference in price is about Rs.200 per sq. ft.

Give your home a fresh coat of paint and don't hire a big contractor to do the work. He will have to make a profit plus pay the workers. Hire ordinary painters instead. Their work is equally good.

Create Focal Points

Highlight one wall with a wallpaper of a landscape.

If you don't like the idea of wallpaper, paint the wall in a bold contrasting colour. Create a focal point with black and white photographs in simple black frames. This will not be more than Rs.250 each… better than a painting that costs a couple of thousands.

Your old coffee table can be put to use too. Make a family photo collage and mount it on the coffee table. Have it covered with a sheet of glass.

Explore Options

The most expensive part of doing up the living room is the furniture.

So don't spend a fortune on upholstered sofa sets. Instead go in for a cheaper material like cane. It is easy to maintain and lasts for about eight to ten years.

Wrought iron furniture, too, is a lot cheaper than solid wood. You can have tie-on cushions for comfort.

MDF (Medium Density Fibre board) is another great option especially if you live on rent and need to shift residence often. MDF furniture is lightweight and easy to dismantle. What's more, it is one-third the price of wooden furniture!

You could even go ethnic with zari bordered jute mats and canvas clad cushions. And for formal evenings, use cushion covers with dazzling embroidered sequins.

Get the Best Deal

Having a carpenter custom make your furniture is way cheaper than buying it from a furniture boutique. But if you do not know of a good carpenter here's what you can do:

Look out for end of season furniture sales. Many stores also have sales during festivals like Diwali, Christmas and New Year.

But if you choose to do up your living room at a time when there are no sales, visit stores that have exchange offers.

Stylise Your Home

If you happen to be a nature lover, try a tall potted plant close to the seating area.

Bring down that antique grandfather clock from the loft. Have it freshly polished. It is guaranteed to give your living room an exotic look. Also place antique mirrors or candle stands about the room.

Crystal chandeliers are beyond your budget, so try glass light fixtures instead. They are available even in local markets for about Rs.600 to Rs.800 only. You could even hang up cloth lanterns with delicate mirror work to complement an ethnic style. These are available for just Rs.250 to Rs.300.