Mood Boards

Build A Room: Decorating a TV Room in Phases, all for under $4500

August 19, 2021

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This post is sponsored by Walmart

Every so often, we like to do mood board posts, that build on each other in budget-friendly increments that’s more true to life. It’s rare to purchase everything for a room in one sitting, right? More often than not, a room comes together over time as budget permits.

Here’s what I see happen often:

“We are going to makeover our TV room, but don’t have a ton of money to do it.” They then proceed, with no plan, and no budget to spend a few hundred dollars getting rugs that are too small (that they don’t love) or ten tiny decor objects and keep the same old fan that is really dating the room.

Instead, try this:

“We really want to update our TV Room, we have $XXX to do it!” Set a goal and a dollar amount before you even start. Then think about what are your needs and make a list of the trouble areas.

If you love a rug or a sofa that’s $400 and you have $500 set aside to improve your space–that means you can get that thing! It also might mean that your whole room might not get a complete makeover for the money you have set aside right now, but wouldn’t you rather really love it? I would.

Today, we are assuming you’re starting from scratch trying to build a TV room (you probably aren’t starting from scratch, but hopefully this encompasses anyone who may be looking to refresh anything from their sectional to the drapes in the TV room. All of the pieces here are from Walmart. They are stylish, budget friendly and have great reviews!

Let’s start with here:

 

If you’re making a space for a TV room, bonus room, family room — you must start with seating and a TV. Walmart has this stunning velvet sectional for a steal (it comes in a few different colors, too!) and I put the best 65″ TV money can buy. I love the frame TV, but it’s $1000 more than this one and between you and me–you can actually (and should) set artwork as the sleep mode of this tv as well. The only thing that you’re missing is the frame part. If you have the extra money — go for it!

1. Velvet Sectional $799
2. Samsung 65″ Smart TV $648

 

For $1500 more you can get this!

 

As time and budget permits, continue adding to the room! For the same price as the sectional and television, you can add in…

1. Ceramic Table Lamp $41 x 2
2. End Table $62 x 2
3. Velvet Sectional
4. Blue Gingham Area Rug $379
5. Molly Fabric Ottoman $286
6. Plaid Throw $45
7. Antique Gild Chandelier $142
8. Faux Lavender Stems $10
9. White Ceramic Vase $10
10. White Oak TV Stand $401
11. Samsung 65″ Smart TV
12. Brass Curtain Rod $34
13. Beige Organic Cotton Curtains $24

The room is really starting to soften here with bringing in some textiles and lighting to create an ambience. I love how the low and light entertainment stand has plenty of concealed storage to hide gaming and remotes and cords but some open shelves to style as well! If you have an overhead light, consider hanging some eye candy over the ottoman to make it feel really special in the space. And speaking of ottomans–in a family room setting, I think a soft ottoman that can double as a foot rest is so much better than a coffee table.  And it’s really starting to look like a room! But we’re not finished just yet!

Now it’s time to finish off your space!

 

Lastly, layer in!

1. Brass Picture Light $60
2. Gold Leaf Frame $52
3. Antique Gild Chandelier
4. Ceramic Table Lamp
5. End Table
6. Velvet Sectional
7. Gingham Check Pillow Cover $44
8. Plaid Throw Pillow $10
9. Navy Frayed Edge Throw Pillow $19
10. Blue Gingham Area Rug
11. Molly Fabric Ottoman
12. Rattan Serving Tray $37
13. Plaid Throw
14. Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp $119
15. Round End Table $47
16. Salted Coconut & Mahogany Candle $14
17. Harmony Leather Accent Chair $728
18. A Tale of Interiors $32
19. Down to Earth $28
20. 7′ Faux Nandina Tree $95
21. Cement Planter $78
22. Samsung 65″ Smart TV
23. White Oak TV Stand
24. Brass Curtain Rod
25. Faux Lavender Stems
26. White Ceramic Vase
27. Beige Organic Cotton Curtains

An accent chair in an accent material, with its own side table and lamp–yes please! Time to bring in some plants and decor pieces and all the little extras that make this room feel lived in.

The whole mood board together, added to your cart, would be $4500–but maybe you’re just $500 away from finishing a room. Maybe you’re on the final touches stage. Whatever it is, I hope this gives you lots of ideas of ways you can make your space feel elevated and more finished!

 

 

Want more build-a-room looks? Check out this budget outdoor space, this bedroom, and how to renovate your bathroom in stages! Any recommendations for what you’d like to see next?

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What do you think?

  1. Mary Lynne Crosby says:

    Julia
    Thank you for being considerate of every budget always!

  2. Mary says:

    Has anyone seen the 2021 Frame TV bezels in person? I think we’re going to spend our budget towards the Frame but I’m seeing terrible reviews about the updated bezels. I’d love to hear from anyone that has seen them IRL!

  3. Avni says:

    Hi Julia,
    This post comes at a perfect time. I’ve been looking for nice looking tv/console s for under my tv and I love some of your recommendations. However, I have a ton of cables in the back of the console that I need to hide. I don’t want to see them under the table. 😑 any recommendations on products to help things looking neat in the back? Thank you!

  4. Emily says:

    This is such a great concept for a blog post. It breaks it down and makes it manageable. I would love a “build a room” post for a master bedroom. :)

  5. Brittany D says:

    What a wonderful, incredibly helpful post! Thank you for putting it together for us!

  6. Kim says:

    Wow! Love what you put together here. Can’t believe you can achieve this look for under $5k!

  7. Erika says:

    Unfortunately, the majority of these beautiful products are out of stock: the black sofa, the accent chair, the ottoman, the chandelier, the end table, and both lamps. Walmart theoretically has lots of good stuff, but it seems like only the mundane things are actually available. To actually get this look, I may have to spend more.

  8. Nicolette says:

    I really like seeing this in increments! We are moving into a new home and there are things we kept from our old home and other things we sold and are looking to replace. One thing I learned from your IG stories a while back is that it’s better to wait to find things you love rather than purchasing placeholders just for the sake of having *something* there. It’s completely changed the way I think about decorating and has saved me a ton of money in the process.

  9. Allie says:

    Love this idea- layer it in as you go! And so many goodies at Walmart! Obviously this post is sponsored by them, but in future mood boards/roundups, you could maybe note to look on facebook marketplace/local thrift stores for inspiration too!? So much furniture there looking for new homes :) and you have such a strong reach!

    • Julia says:

      I love looking at facebook marketplace, especially where we live now. I think something some people don’t realize is thrifting and marketplace are not a great option everywhere. Where we used to live, it was EXTREMELY rare to find anything other than old ikea or very worn furniture in those places. Now it feels like a gold mine!

      • Samantha Cobos says:

        Craigslist too! I just scored a westelm sleeper sectional for $800 – only 3 years old and in almost new shape!

  10. Karyn says:

    Excellent.

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