A new year means a fresh project for our house. We’re still finishing the bedroom (I shared a little sneak peek recently and will have more to show soon), but this year I’m also returning my attention to the upstairs after focusing mostly on the main floor the last few years.
Upstairs includes the Snug, two bedrooms and two bathrooms; I’ll cover the bedrooms and baths in separate posts.
The Snug
The Snug is the room that captured my heart when we first toured the house and bought it four years ago.
It’s a cozy, multipurpose space where my husband and I unwind each evening—we watch shows, he works on puzzles, and I use it to work or write. It also doubles as a guest room and stores some office and craft supplies. Over time it has become a little bit of everything.
This year I’m planning smaller, more affordable updates rather than a major renovation—simpler projects that refresh the space and improve function.
One important change we already completed during the renovation was removing the carpet from the entire second floor and installing new hardwoods. That update alone transformed the upstairs and made it feel so much better.
Over the years I considered many options for how to use and furnish the Snug. For now, the most practical plan is to keep the existing layout and make a few targeted changes to refresh the room’s look and increase its usefulness.
About the mood board:
Treat the mood board as the starting point showing where we are now, not the final design. We begin by deciding what to keep and what to replace based on the items already in the room.
The plan for this year (and the two new daybeds!)
I’m waiting for delivery of two trundle daybeds that will replace the single rattan twin daybed we currently have (in addition to the double bed in the room). The daybeds serve as seating during the day, and with trundles they provide three additional mattresses—bringing the total sleeping capacity to four, plus the double bed. This setup makes the Snug much more functional for a family or visiting guests while keeping the room flexible for kids or groups of friends.
These beds have strong reviews, are affordable, and come in several colors. We ordered the brown option, though other colors were appealing as well.
If you’re curious about how I make decorating choices, I teach a step-by-step process in my Room Recipe Workshop. It covers how to use what you already own, make confident decisions when buying, and bring a room together thoughtfully.
What I’ve done already (or decided so far):
- Rearranged furniture between rooms at the start of the year to ensure everything is in the best spots.
- Brought in one of our white rattan chairs, which longtime readers may recognize from previous homes. I’ve wanted to include these here since we moved in.
- The rattan chairs will need fresh paint and new cushions and covers (we no longer have the original seat cushions). A light refresh could make one or both chairs feel new and fun; they’re comfortable, lightweight and easy to move.
- We replaced our couch slipcover with a mineral blue organic cotton version.
- Ordered the two scalloped trundle daybeds that arrive this weekend. I love the classic gingham and whimsical shape—timeless but playful, which suits a beach house vibe and will be fun for kids and grandkids.
I also have a good idea for where to place our existing rattan daybed, so stay tuned for that update.
Next steps:
- Clear everything from the bookshelves and start fresh with curated styling.
- Paint the room to give it a renewed look.
- Decide on a rug or rugs; I’m still weighing options.
There are more choices ahead for this room and the other guest room, and I’m excited to share the changes as the upstairs evolves this year.