Living Room Essentials for Renters

Splurge or Save: Living Room Essentials for Renters

After years of decorating my rental living room – and making some expensive mistakes – I’ve figured out exactly where to invest and where to save. Some purchases were worth every penny.

Others? Complete regrets. This is my real living room breakdown – what I splurged on, what I saved on, where I found dupes, and what I wish I’d done differently.

Total invested in the living room over the years: ~$5,000+

Best investment: $1,500 fireplace credenza

Biggest regret: $2,500 leather sectional. Let’s break it down.

The SPLURGE: What’s Worth the Money

These are the items I invested in that transformed my living room and still make me happy years later.

1. Fireplace Credenza – $1,500 (Wayfair)

Why I splurged: We needed a TV stand with storage. I wanted something solid that would last and anchor the room.

What I got:

• Solid wood construction
• Electric fireplace (adds warmth and ambiance)
• Storage shelves (display coastal decor – coral, beach finds)
• Came assembled (huge with three kids)

6 years later: Still love it. Best $1,500 I’ve spent in the living room.

We use it daily – the fireplace runs in winter, the shelves hold our favourite decor, and it grounds the entire space.

Worth it? Absolutely.

Splurge criteria it meets:

• ✅ Daily use (TV stand + ambiance)
• ✅ Timeless style (not trendy)
• ✅ Quality (solid wood, built to last)
• ✅ High visual impact (anchors the room)
• ✅ Portable (moves to next rental)

2. Area Rug – $279 (Wayfair)

Why I splurged: After returning a $189 rug that was too busy, I wanted something with a subtle pattern that would hide dirt and anchor the seating area.

What I got:

• 8×10 rug – Sage green with navy, beige, and forest green pattern
• NOT washable (I wish it were Ruggable)

5 years later: Still using it. The pattern hides everything – crumbs, dog hair, kid messes. I vacuum it weekly, and it still looks good.

Worth it? Yes, but I’d choose a washable version next time.

What I’d do differently: Buy a Ruggable washable rug instead. Same price range ($279), but I could throw the top layer in the washing machine. With kids, washable is worth it.

Splurge criteria it meets:

• ✅ Daily use (walk on it, vacuum it, live on it)
• ✅ High visual impact (anchors seating area)
• ✅ Portable (moves to next rental)
• ✅ Pattern hides wear (functional for families)

3. Faux Rock Accent Wall – $200 (Amazon, Peel-and-Stick)

Why I splurged: Wanted a statement wall behind the TV without painting (rental-friendly).

What I got:

• Peel-and-stick faux rock panels
• Textured, realistic look
• One weekend installation

4 years later: Still holding up perfectly. No peeling, no damage. Looks high-end and makes the TV wall a focal point.

Worth it? Yes. One of our best budget upgrades.

Splurge criteria it meets:

• ✅ High visual impact (statement wall)
• ✅ Rental-friendly (removable)
• ✅ Longevity (4 years, no issues)

4. Govee Immersion Lights – $120 (Around TV)

Why I splurged: Wanted ambient lighting that enhanced our movie and sports-watching experience.

What I got:

• LED lights that change with the screen colours
• App-controlled
• Creates an immersive viewing experience

Worth it? Absolutely. Best tech purchase for the living room. Changes the whole vibe for movie nights and watching sports.

Splurge criteria it meets:

• ✅ Daily use (movie nights, sports)
• ✅ Function + ambiance (not just decorative)
• ✅ Portable (take to next rental)

5. Layered Curtains – ~$70 (Walmart)

Why I “splurged” (budget-friendly but intentional):

Removed landlord’s metal blinds and brown curtains. Wanted something coastal and functional.

What I got:

• White sheer curtains (center, filter light)
• Ocean blue blackout curtains (flanking ends)
• Used the existing curtain rod

10 years later: Still using them. They’ve been washed dozens of times and still look good. Best $70 window treatment investment.

Worth it? Yes. Function (blackout for movie nights) + style (coastal vibe).

Splurge criteria it meets:

• ✅ Daily use (light control, privacy)
• ✅ Longevity (10 years!)
• ✅ High visual impact (changes room mood)

SAVE: What’s Not Worth Big Money

These are items I bought cheap – and I’m glad I did, because they’re temporary, trendy, or replaceable.

1. Coffee Table – $150 (Bouclair)

Why I saved: Needed storage and a surface, but didn’t want to overspend on something kids would scratch.

What I got:

• Round coffee table
• Navy denim material with oak top
• Storage inside (holds two large blankets)

Still using it? Yes, and still happy with it.

Worth it? Yes. Good quality for the price, functional storage, and the navy/oak combo works with our coastal palette.

Save criteria it meets:

• ✅ Mid-price (not cheap, not expensive)
• ✅ Functional (storage + surface)
• ✅ Kid-friendly (can handle wear)

2. Floor Poufs – $10 Each (JYSK)

Why I saved: Needed extra seating for kids, but didn’t want expensive furniture they’d destroy.

What I got:

• 3 floor poufs
• $10 each (total steal!)

5 years later: Still using them. Kids use them for movie nights, as footrests, and they’re easy to move around.

Worth it? YES. Best $30 I’ve spent. Absolute steal.

Compare to: I previously made DIY poufs with heavy-duty fabric. They were too big and got moved to the basement. The JYSK ones are the perfect size and cost nothing.

Save criteria it meets:

• ✅ Cheap (replaceable if needed)
• ✅ Functional (extra seating)
• ✅ Kids will use them hard (and they have)

3. Amazon Globe Lights – ~$40 Each

Why I saved: Needed lamps for ambiance, but didn’t want expensive lighting.

What I got:

• 2 globe lights
• Touch dimmer
• Multiple plugs for charging devices

Worth it? Yes. They’re functional (lighting + charging) and look good.

Save criteria it meets:

• ✅ Functional (light + charging ports)
• ✅ Replaceable (if they break, $40 is no big deal)

4. Throw Pillows and Blankets – $15-30 Each

Why I saved: These rotate seasonally. Navy in winter, lighter colours in summer. I don’t want to invest heavily in items I’ll swap out.

What I got:

• Navy throw pillows
• Forest green pillow shams
• Seasonal throws

Worth it? Yes. Cheap enough to replace when trends or my taste changes.

Save criteria it meets:

• ✅ Trendy/seasonal (swap in and out)
• ✅ Low visual impact (small details)
• ✅ Replaceable (guilt-free updates)

My Biggest Living Room Mistakes

The $2,500 Leather Sectional I Regret

What I bought: Cindy Crawford 5-seater sectional with chaise and motorized recliner

Why I bought it:

• Floor model deal (saved $2,000!)
• Looked luxurious
• Family of 5 needed big seating

The problem:

• Leather peels from heavy use
• Kids treat it like a gymnasium (pieces don’t stay together)
• Already worn from showroom use (floor model wasn’t the deal I thought)
• Requires constant maintenance (DIY leather paint to fix cracks)

7 years later: We hate it. But we’re stuck with it until the kids are older.

Cost per year: $357. Worth it? NO.

What I learned: Don’t splurge on leather furniture with young kids. Leather peels. Kids jump. Pieces separate.

What I’d do differently: Buy a durable FABRIC sofa with performance fabric (kid-proof, stain-resistant). Wait until kids are older to invest in a quality replacement.

Framework lesson: – Daily Use Test: YES ✅ – Longevity Test: Should last 10+ years ✅ Lifestyle Test: Kids + Leather = FAIL ❌

Decision: Splurge on durable FABRIC, not leather.

Other Living Room Mistakes

Mistake #2: The $189 Wayfair Rug (Too Busy)

What I bought: Bohemian medallion rug, 9×13, busy pattern

The problem: Way too busy. Made the room feel chaotic. Pattern competed with everything.

What I did: Moved it to the basement (didn’t return it).

What I learned: Patterns don’t always translate from screen to real life. Test first or choose simpler designs.

Mistake #3: DIY Poufs (Too Big)

What I made: Large DIY poufs with heavy-duty fabric

The problem: Way too big. Hard to move. Took up too much space.

What I did:

Moved them to the basement. Bought $10 JYSK poufs instead.

What I learned:

Bigger isn’t always better. The small $10 poufs work better than the large DIY ones.

Mistake #4: Square Storage Ottoman (Kids Destroyed It)

What I bought: Square storage ottoman with 4 fabric bins inside

The problem: Kids destroyed it. Too big, hard to move, fell apart.

What I did:

Moved it to the basement rec room (where it’s still getting destroyed, but we don’t care).

What I learned:

With kids, buy simple and replaceable. Not large and complicated.

Save criteria it meets:

• ✅ Functional (light + charging ports)
• ✅ Replaceable (if they break, $40 is no big deal)

DUPES: High vs Low

Sometimes you can get the same look for way less money. Here are living room dupes worth considering:

Dupe #1: Round Coffee Table with Storage

High: West Elm Mid-Century Storage Coffee Table – $599 Low: Bouclair navy denim + oak coffee table – $150

Difference: Brand name, slightly different materials

Function: Both have storage, both are round, both look good

Savings: $449

Worth the dupe? YES. Same function, similar style.

Dupe #2: Globe Touch Lamps

High: CB2 Hoop Table Lamp – $129 Low: Amazon globe touch lamp with dimmer – $40

Difference: Brand, slightly different finish

Function: Both provide light, both have a touch dimmer

Savings: $89 each (x2 lamps = $178 savings)

Worth the dupe? YES. They work the same, look similar.

Dupe #3: Floor Poufs

High: West Elm Leather Pouf – $149 Low: JYSK floor pouf – $10

Difference: Material (leather vs fabric), size

Function: Both provide extra seating

Savings: $139 each (x3 poufs = $417 savings!)

Worth the dupe? ABSOLUTELY. The $10 poufs are a steal.

Dupe #4: Coastal Decor

High: Pottery Barn coral sculpture – $79 Low: Amazon/HomeSense coral finds – $10-20

Difference: Brand

Function: Same decorative impact

Savings: $60+ per piece

Worth the dupe? YES. No one knows where you bought your decor.

What I’d Do Differently Today

If I were starting over with my living room, here’s what I’d change:

1. Buy a performance fabric sofa instead of leather

Wait until kids are older, then invest in quality fabric that’s kid-proof and stain-resistant.

2. Choose a washable rug (Ruggable)

Same price as my current rug ($279), but machine-washable. Worth it with kids.

3. Skip the floor model furniture deals

That $2,000 “savings” on the sectional wasn’t worth it. The furniture was already worn from showroom use.

4. Test patterns before committing

That $189 busy rug looked good online, but was overwhelming in person. Order samples or choose simpler patterns.

5. Buy cheap poufs, not DIY large ones

The $10 JYSK poufs work better than the large DIY ones I made. Smaller and cheaper wins.

Living Room Budget Breakdown

Here’s what I’ve invested in my living room over the years:

SPLURGES:

• Fireplace credenza: $1,500 ✅ (worth it)
• Sectional: $2,500 ❌ (regret)
• Rug: $279 ✅ (worth it, wish it was washable)
• Faux rock wall: $200 ✅ (worth it)
• Govee lights: $120 ✅ (worth it)
• Layered curtains: $70 ✅ (worth it)

SAVES:

• Coffee table: $150 ✅
• Floor poufs (3): $30 ✅ (steal!)
• Globe lights (2): $80 ✅
• Throw pillows/blankets: ~$100 ✅
• Hanging light: ~$30 ✅

MISTAKES (moved to basement):

• Busy rug: $189 ❌
• DIY poufs: ~$50 materials ❌
• Square ottoman: ~$100 ❌

TOTAL INVESTED: ~$5,400

BEST INVESTMENT: Fireplace credenza ($1,500)

BIGGEST REGRET: Leather sectional ($2,500)

Average per year (over 10 years): $540/year

Key Takeaways: Living Room Splurge or Save

SPLURGE ON:

• Quality furniture in timeless neutrals (credenza, future fabric sofa)
• High-impact pieces (rug, curtains, statement walls)
• Items you touch daily (seating, lighting)
• Tech that enhances experience (Govee lights)

SAVE ON:

• Trendy decor (throw pillows, seasonal items)
• Extra seating for kids to destroy (floor poufs)
• Lighting (Amazon dupes work great)
• Coffee tables (mid-price is fine)

DUPE IT:

• Coastal decor (no one knows the brand)
• Floor poufs ($10 vs $149 – same function)
• Touch lamps ($40 vs $129 – same look)

AVOID:

• Leather furniture with kids (peels, requires maintenance)
• Floor model “deals” (already worn, not worth it)
• Busy patterns without testing first
• DIY projects that are too big/complicated

Ready to Transform Your Living Room?

Use this framework to make smarter decisions about where to invest and where to save.

Next Steps:

• 1. Assess what you need (seating? storage? lighting?)
• 2. Apply the decision-making criteria (daily use? longevity? portability?)
• 3. Check for dupes before buying expensive items
• 4. Start with one splurge item that will anchor the room

Want the complete framework?

→[Back to Splurge or Save Hub

Browse more room guides:

• → Kids Rooms: Splurge or Save
• → Kitchen: Splurge or Save
• → Bedroom: Splurge or Save
• → Bathroom: Splurge or Save
• → Entryway: Splurge or Save

Want more rental decorating solutions? Check out my guide to rental-friendly decor, my post on design trends, and my room divider solutions for shared spaces.

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