I Asked a Stager for $0 Hacks to Transform My Living Room
Not everyone can afford to invest a ton of money into the sale of their home. Even though it’s great to be able to afford a professional cleaner and a home stager and an excellent, professional-level photographer, it’s not always a part of the budget. That’s why I reached out to Sarikhani Sarikhani, owner of Seattle Staged To Sell, for her tried-and-true “golden rules” on creating a warm and inviting space without having to invest a ton of money into the job.
Sarikhani’s job is to make interior spaces feel like someone could live there, but the spaces she designs also have to feel homey for those still occupying the space. So whether you’re staging your home for a sale, or simply looking for ways to make your own home extra cozy, here are Sarikhani’s priceless pieces of advice on how to transform any living space. And if you have all of these things on hand, you might not even need to spend any money at all.
Layer different textures to add depth and warmth.
Are your couch, throw pillows, ottoman, rug, and living room blankets all the same material? Switch it up a little — layering textures is a key technique Sarikhani uses to make spaces feel both cozy and luxurious. By combining materials like velvet, leather, knits, and wool, she explains, you can create depth and visual interest.
You don’t need to overhaul your space totally, but by swapping out two couch pillows with ones made of a contrasting material (like adding corduroy pillows to your linen couch) and a chunky knit blanket, you’ve already created a totally different couch space.
Use the 60-30-10 rule for “pops of color.”
“Neutral tones with warm undertones create a welcoming environment,” Sarikhani told me. She recommends that, if cozy is your goal, to lean on earthy shades like taupe, beige, and terracotta, balanced with subtle pops of color. In particular, Sarikhani recommends using the 60-30-10 rule — using 60% neutral colors, 30% secondary colors, and 10% accent colors.
Overhaul your lighting situation.
Lighting is often an afterthought, but Sarikhani emphasized its importance. If you don’t know what your lightbulb tones are, or if you over-rely on the “big light,” it’s time to make some changes.
“Harsh lighting feels sterile,” she says. “Warm, layered lighting creates intimacy.” She suggests a combination of table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces with warm-toned bulbs (2700K to 3000K). If you don’t want to get new lighting, just swap out the harsh lightbulbs you have for something warmer.
Bring greenery indoors — even if it’s not really “green.”
Natural elements can make a space feel grounding and comforting. Sarikhani suggests incorporating materials like wood, linen, and woven baskets, along with plenty of greenery. And while a potted fiddle-leaf fig will do the trick, you don’t need to worry if you’re not a green thumb — you can add dried flowers, an affordable Trader Joe’s bouquet, or low-maintenance eucalyptus stems instead. I personally have a brown thumb, so dried flowers are definitely a better choice for me.
Create “conversation zones.”
Furniture arrangement plays a significant role in how a room feels. Oftentimes — especially in large, undefined spaces that span multiple uses — buyers can have a hard time seeing themselves in your space.
If your living room feels unorganized, or if you want to delineate clear “zones” in your open-concept space, consider creating “conversation zones” by arranging seating so people can face each other, anchored by a soft area rug, Sarikhani says. All it requires is a little bit of heavy lifting.
Add personal, quirky touches.
Sarikhani stresses the importance of personalizing your home with meaningful decor.
“Your home should reflect you,” she says. That doesn’t mean you should paint your walls purple or install a massive LED Coors light sign right before you put your home on the market. But showing potential buyers you’ve lived a full life there by putting up vintage books or unique art pieces you already own can make a space feel authentic and lived-in — and help a family touring your home to see themselves there, too.
I was inspired by this tip from Sarikhani in particular and, because I’m not looking to sell, added a framed family photo and a couple of books from my grandmother’s collection to my coffee table. These small additions gave my living room a sense of personality and warmth.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
