Easy DIYs to Upgrade Secondhand Finds: The Living Room Makeover (With Video!)

Welcome to Part 2 of the Makeover Series — The Living Room!

Now that we’ve covered the bedroom transformation, it’s time to move into my favorite part of the entire house: the living room. One of the biggest advantages of our home is the incredible natural light and ventilation — and the living room gets the best of it.

It’s a long, rectangular space with two large windows, a door that opens to the balcony, and an arched entryway that connects to the rest of the house. If I had to sketch it out, you’d see how central and open this space really is — it sets the tone for the entire apartment.

Want to watch the transformation before I take you through the process? Check it out here.

Creating the Mood Board- Earthy, Neutral, with a Personal Touch

Before diving into furniture or decor, I started — as always — with a mood board. For the living room, I knew I wanted to keep the overall vibe neutral and earthy, something calming and cohesive that would let the natural light really shine.

•  I was very particular about: an L-shaped couch. It just made sense for the layout — perfect for lounging, hosting, and facing the windows without blocking the flow of the space.
•  I wanted to bring in a bit of an Indian touch to the art and decor — think warm tones, handcrafted details, and pieces that feel personal. It was all about blending function, comfort, and identity.

The Fun Part — Hunting for Furniture & Decor

Once the mood board was locked in, the real adventure began: furniture and decor hunting. I made a few trips to IKEA and shortlisted some options — and yes, I fell in love with a couch there that we eventually ordered. It fit the layout perfectly and brought in that cozy, minimal look I was after.

But staying true to our thrifting theme, most of the major elements in the living room are secondhand. I did a serious deep dive on Ricardo, and it paid off!

Some of the standout finds:

• A coffee table.

• A TV cabinet  

• A dining table  

It was a mix of planning and pure luck — but that’s the magic of secondhand, right?

Final Touches — And It All Came Together

🎥 Watch my full living room transformation here

After all the planning, scrolling, thrifting, and a few IKEA runs — the living room finally came together. It feels like us — cozy, calm, a little eclectic, and full of character.

Some of the Indian touches that brought the space to life:

What I’ve Learned So Far (A Few Mistakes Included)

Decorating your own space is a learning curve, and let’s just say… I’ve picked up a few lessons along the way:

• I didn’t pay enough attention to the wood tones in my furniture — now I really notice the mismatched shades. Next time, I’ll make sure things feel more cohesive.

• Closed cupboards are a game changer. I totally underestimated how handy they are for hiding the random stuff (and keeping everything looking tidy).

• Carpets are cozy, yes, but the upkeep is real. I love the warmth they add, but now I know to choose wisely based on material and placement.

• My sheer curtains look beautiful, but they’re too transparent — especially in summer. Watching TV during the day? Basically impossible.

Makeovers and transformations are so much fun — especially when you can do them on a budget. Having access to secondhand treasures and scoring a great bargain? That’s a total win-win in my book.

Seeing the space come together with a mix of thrifted finds, small DIYs, and personal touches has been incredibly rewarding — and I hope it inspires you to try a little flipping and styling of your own!

🛏️ Missed Part 1? Check out the bedroom makeover here.

Can you make any guesses which room is next? 😉
Stay tuned for Part 3 — coming soon!