Sure, it would be nice to trade in your old couch and coffee table, or receive a surprise visit from one of those TV home-makeover crews. But you don’t need a lot of pricey new pieces to improve a room. You can make a big difference simply by moving around the furniture you already have.

Real Simple rearranged the items in this real living room into three configurations: casual, formal, and dual purpose. Adapt these decorating ideas to your own space and see your world in a whole new light.