If your living room feels tired but you don’t want to spend on new furniture, start with three simple things: textiles, layout and light. You’d be surprised how much just changing what’s on top of the furniture can do.

Swap out old cushion covers for fresh ones in lighter or more modern colours. You don’t need designer fabrics – even simple cotton covers with a clean pattern can change the mood. Add a throw or blanket over the back or arm of the sofa, not to hide it completely, but to break up old, worn fabric visually.

Next, look at layout. Sometimes a room feels “old” just because it’s arranged the same way for years. Try pulling the sofa slightly off the wall, moving a chair to a different corner, or rotating the rug. Small changes in position can suddenly make the space feel new to your eyes.

Finally, deal with light. Clean the windows properly, remove very heavy curtains if they block brightness, and replace any dull bulbs with warm-but-bright LEDs. A simple floor lamp in a dark corner can transform the room more than most decor items.

You haven’t bought a single big piece of furniture, but the room starts to feel fresher, lighter and more intentional – like you’ve given it a small reset instead of a full makeover.