Photo: Josh Gibson

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9. Silk throw pillows can rescue any living room. Sofas, the biggest pieces of furniture, frequently come in beiges, grays or browns that hide stains. The shimmery quality of the silk lightens up those dark colors and also makes the sofa appear a little more formal (and less slouchy and couch-y). Mixing patterns with solids lets you experiment with different looks, without the yards and yards of expensive reupholstery.

Estimated cost: $99