Midlife Makeover: Simple Ways to Refresh Your Living Space
Your living space is more than just a place to rest your head—it should be your sanctuary, your retreat, and a reflection of your soul.
As you move through middle-age and beyond, keeping your home fresh, comfortable, and inspiring becomes an essential part of maintaining a balanced lifestyle and protecting your mental well-being.
Sometimes, given the many challenges of the midlife years—empty nesting, shifting priorities, job changes, or simply the desire for a change—calls for a little refresh of your living environment.
It doesn’t have to be a full-blown renovation! Small, intentional changes can breathe new life into your space, lifting your mood and creating an environment that nurtures your well-being.
In this article, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to refresh a living space—simple yet impactful ideas that have brought a sense of renewal to my home and my spirit. Let’s get started on creating a space you’ll love to live in!
Simple Ways to Refresh Your Living Space
I know from experience that refreshing your living space can be a soul-satisfying experience. Sometimes the clutter piles up in the blink-of-an-eye, and suddenly I’m frustrated because I don’t have a safe haven where my soul can breathe. Or furniture starts to look a little worn, so I feel disheveled.
But I’ve never had the luxury of being able to make big changes when things become cluttered and stale, so I have to depend on making small changes. Mostly from Amazon!
Below, I share my favorite ideas for budget-friendly ways to refresh your living room (or family room).
- Get a new coffee table arrangement, tray, or accent pieces. Choose decorative pieces that make you smile:)
- Put 3-4 of your self-help books in a pile on the coffee table as a conversation starter.
- Buy new throw pillows or throw pillow covers. I’ve started buying pillow covers to go with each season. It’s surprising how new pillows change the look of a room. (I just learned that you should buy the inserts 2 inches larger than the pillow covers so they look nice and puffy!)
- Create, or update, a gallery wall. Take old pictures out and replace them with new photos for a fresh look.
- Get a new storage ottoman. I absolutely love one I found on Amazon during the Black Friday sale. It’s such a multi-use piece—I sit on it, put my feet on it, and store stuff in it:) Any storage pieces you can add to your living space will help with the day-to-day clutter.
- Add an area rug, or some throw rugs to the room. These can be used to add a different color to the room, or you can keep them neutral for a more calming effect.
- You can also buy some floor pillows if you have extra floor space, especially if you have space for a reading corner.
- Add a salt lamp to the room. I have salt lamps in several rooms of my house now. I don’t know if they do any good for the air quality, but I like their ambience.
- Buy a new candle or essential oil diffuser for the room. Choose a pleasant scent that helps you relax.
- Get some new blankets. You can choose ones with a pop of color or stay with a neutral palette. Whichever feels right for you:)
- Add some fairy lights to the room. I love these!
- Hang some soft sheers at the windows so the natural light can come through. Sheers can have a big impact on a room.
- Rearrange the furniture in the room. (And while you’re at it, clean the baseboards and floor under the sofa and loveseat.)
- Declutter: Go through all the piles and throw away anything you don’t need. Find a place for everything else.
- Add some plants—preferably live plants that bring nature indoors.
- Paint an accent wall. That’s right, just one wall. Use a color that complements the color palette of the entire room. Or paint it something different and unexpected to create a statement wall:)
- Consider some new lighting, a table lamp or a floor lamp that fits with your personal style. It can be a simple change but it will give you a fresh new look.
- Add some accent chairs. You can usually find these at Walmart, Kohls, or Target for reasonable prices.
- Do you have space for a full-length mirror? If so, it’s an amazing way to make the room look larger. People are using these in living rooms much more often today. You can find them reasonably priced at Walmart and Target.
- Add a bowl of pine cones or shells to the coffee table or end tables. You can weave your fairy lights through the bowl for an added touch.
- Choose a piece of wall art for that blank wall you never got around to decorating.
- Put slip-covers on your furniture. Slip covers are practical and environmentally friendly rather than replacing furniture. There are a variety of styles and colors available at Amazon for reasonable prices.
- Add seasonal decor to your living space. When I change my pillow covers each season, I also add some small pieces of decor for the current holidays. I often pick up pieces at Kohls, Walmart, and Hobby Lobby. I sometimes trade these with my sister so we have “new” pieces.
You can use most of these ideas to refresh your bedroom, too. However, I also love to replace my quilt periodically with an inexpensive one from Amazon. They have a beautiful selection of quilts in a variety of color schemes and patterns.
I choose a new color each time and purchase new lamps to match, when possible. Lighting in your bedroom is essential, too. Allow as much natural lighting to come in as possible. But room darkening shades or blinds will be beneficial for quality sleep at night.
While you are refreshing, be sure to go through those piles on the kitchen counter, dining table, and bedside nightstands. Decluttering is more than just tidying up—it’s about creating space for what truly matters.
When your home is free of unnecessary items, it becomes easier to relax, focus, and feel at peace. A clutter-free environment can reduce stress, boost your mood, and give you a sense of control, making your living space a true haven for your soul. It’s also essential to a balanced lifestyle.
Helpful Tips to Level-Up Your Refresh
If you want to level-up your refresh and make a few major changes to your living space, there are a couple of ways to make it more affordable if you’re on a tight budget.
- Use what you already have by moving pieces from room to room. You might be able to take a bookcase from the dining room and put it in the living room for a while. Or maybe you have a sitting room or home office that you don’t use very often. What decorative items can you take to the living room? They will be like new pieces in there!
- Go to flea markets and garage sales. There is a wealth of home decor at these places. This is a great way to level up your refresh if you want to add some new furniture. You might find a new sofa, side tables, or coffee table in good condition. Or you might find a piece of furniture that you simply cannot live without.
- Consider painting furniture as an alternative to getting new pieces. It’s far more affordable and can have a huge impact on the feel of the room.
- Gather things that no longer bring you joy and have a yard sale! Or take them to the local flea market to sell to others who will enjoy them. This will help you pay for some items to spruce up your living space. Don’t bring the leftover items back into your home—it just becomes more clutter!
Final Thoughts: Let’s Refresh Your Living Space
Refreshing your living space doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Small, thoughtful changes can make a world of difference in how your home feels—and how you feel in it.
By decluttering, adding cozy touches, and incorporating elements that inspire calm and joy, you can create a sanctuary that supports your well-being and reflects your evolving journey in midlife.
Remember, your home is your haven. It should be a place that nurtures your soul and brings you comfort. So, light that candle, fluff those new pillows, and let the glow of your refreshed space remind you that even small changes can spark big joy. You deserve it!
You may enjoy these Related Articles:
- Slow Living Movement: The 7 Principles of this Lifestyle
- What is Living Aware? The Benefits of Conscious Living
Love to ALL! ~ Susan
