How to Revive a Room in a Weekend

Replace accent furniture Locked into the matching three-piece end-and-coffee-tables scenario? Rethink size, style, placement and purpose of these pieces. One alternative: We wrapped low shelves around the back of a sofa. Also try exchanging a small accent table for a skirted tall piece offering concealed storage underneath. Or let two ottomans, with tops that flip to cushions or trays, stand in for the standard coffee table, providing easy mobility and double function.

Add a rug An area rug anchors our newly arranged seating group. It also injects lively pattern into the room, enhancing the plain furniture.

Continue to slide 2 to see what our room looked like before the makeover; slides 3 to 8 show more ideas for weekend facelifts ranging from about $300 to free. Slide 9 has product resources.