Most families spend a lot of time in the living room (hey, it's not called the living room for nothing). Why not give your space a boost with a few small changes that make a huge difference.

If you have time and a few friends on hand to help, painting can add just the dramatic effect you need to change the vibe of your living room. Choose a bright color to liven up the room, or create one accent wall to mix things up. Have a small space? Try hanging a few mirrors to give the appearance of a larger room. The mirrors will reflect light and open up dark corners. Set them opposite a window to bounce light across the room.

If your lampshades are looking a little dusty, try a few of these groovy and affordable floor lamps from Walmart, Target or Ikea. You can also get fancy and hire a professional to install track lighting. Why not?

And finally, re-purposing old furniture can mimic the effect of new furniture at a fraction of the cost. Wipe down the old couch or remove the plastic and try out new slipcovers. Swap tattered seat cushions on old chairs with bright new fabrics and with just a few changes you'll see a big improvement in your living room. You may never leave the coach.