Mark D Sikes – House Beautiful – built-ins inspiration
When we first saw the living room in our new house, we were delighted by several features it already had.
This living room is on the main floor and is larger than any room in our previous home, which gives us more flexibility for furniture arrangement and flow. The scale is generous enough to feel airy without losing the sense of coziness I love. My plan is to create one main conversation area and a few smaller, functional zones for reading, relaxing, and socializing.
A bank of large windows wraps around the back and a corner of the room, flooding the space with natural light. Those windows make the room feel connected to the outdoors, offering views of trees, Puget Sound, distant mountains and Bainbridge Island, as well as spectacular sunsets and expansive skies. The light makes this one of my favorite places to sit and relax.
The room also features a stone fireplace with built-in bookshelves and beautiful hardwood floors, which give it solid architectural character to build on.
The living room opens to the dining room and kitchen, so it feels connected to other living spaces while still functioning as its own separate area. That openness encourages conversation and makes the main floor feel cohesive.
Currently the walls are painted a warm white, which suits the space well for now. There’s also a playful hint of a different paint color on the ceiling — a small, charming imperfection we’ll consider as we refine the room. Trim and molding are minimal, which presents an opportunity for adding character through millwork and built-ins.
There is no wired-in ceiling lighting, but ample lamps will provide layered lighting, ambiance, and flexibility. At the moment the windows have no coverings, which maximizes light and views. On very sunny days glare can be intense for a short period, so we’ll likely add window treatments that control light when needed and introduce a softer, warmer layer to the room.
You can see how the living room relates to the entry hallway in the image above. We’re still developing the overall style for this room, but several clear priorities have emerged.
What we want to include in this room
- A cozy window seat to enjoy sunsets and the view. This could be a corner bench or a full-length seat framed by built-in bookcases.
- Added lighting, built-ins, and millwork to increase character and functionality.
- An updated look for the fireplace wall, whether through modest trim and paint changes or a more substantial refresh.
- A blend of furniture pieces carried over from our old family room, supplemented with a few new additions. We plan to continue using a mix of neutral tones and color accents in our established style.
- An area rug to introduce another layer of warmth and comfort underfoot.
Corner window seat inspiration
Window seat and built-in inspiration
Another cozy window seat idea
Compact window seat concept for smaller nooks
White fireplace paired with a built-in window seat
Built-in cabinetry example for storage and display
We haven’t finalized plans for the fireplace wall—there’s a chance we’ll leave it mostly as-is and simply enhance it with paint and trim. But we’re inspired by the charming, cozy looks shown here and will explore options that complement the room’s light and views.
I’m excited to layer in elements that make this room more inviting: soft textiles, warm lighting, thoughtful built-ins, and a window seat that encourages lingering. The view outside is already an incredible asset, and as we make interior updates the space will feel even more personal and comfortable.
If you missed other posts about this house, including our house tour video, be sure to explore our related entries for updates and inspiration.