Like many new homeowners, Christy and Doug Spitzer didn't have much of a decorating budget after closing on their home, a new four-bedroom house on Long Island, New York.

"Our only major purchases were the sofa and love seat we ordered from Crate & Barrel before we moved in," says Christy, 30, a freelance television producer. "We knew we wanted somewhere comfortable to sit."

Otherwise, they were content to fill their rooms with hand-me-downs. "Family and friends kept giving us furniture, but it left us a little directionless," says Doug, 31, a marketing consultant for professional sports leagues.

With a little help from Real Simple, the Spitzers developed a plan for tying the odds and ends together. They transformed their living room (shown here in a "before" picture) into a cheerful, cozy, and coherent space that is now the vibrant heart and soul of their new house.

The Challenges

Lack of Color:

Scared of making mistakes in decorating, Christy and Doug Spitzer played it too safe. By sticking to a neutral palette of off-white upholstery and cream-colored walls, they made the living room comfortable but bland.

Worn Furniture:

Though well proportioned and well built, the coffee table (a castoff from Doug's parents) was nicked and scratched, an eyesore at the center of the room.

Bare Windows:

Because custom blinds are expensive and curtains seemed too fussy, the windows were left unadorned, making it seem as if the Spitzers had just moved in.

Wrong Rug:

A small carpet under the coffee table did nothing to help define the main seating area.

Bad Lighting:

With just one lamp and four recessed lights in the ceiling that were not on a dimmer switch, the Spitzers found themselves sitting in a room that was always either too bright or too dark.

Random Clutter:

Books, magazines, sentimental objects, and miscellaneous furniture were haphazardly placed.

Odd Arrangement:

Because the fireplace wasn't used as the focal point for placing the furniture, the room seemed lopsided.

On the next pages: The solutions for each of these challenges and the timeline for the weekend's quick projects