Last week I shared the small progress we made in our living room along with our Christmas decorations. If you missed that post, we added an affordable new rug (a great deal at $150) and rearranged the furniture. It was an easy, budget-friendly update, and I appreciated all the kind comments. Many readers asked questions about the choices we made, so here are more details and answers about the room and the plans for the space.
In a social-media-driven world, it’s helpful to remember that you can transform a plain room into one you love right now with a few simple changes, even if you imagine a larger makeover later.
Why wait for a big renovation when you can enjoy the home you have today? That was my goal for this space.
Start by rearranging furniture and adding the essential elements every room needs to feel cozy and inviting.
If you want more guidance on transforming a room using what you already own and adding pieces over time, take a look at The Inspired Room book for tips on furniture selection and arrangement, color and pattern, and more.
For this space I knew a white backdrop would work for now—this room gets abundant natural light, so white feels fresh. Eventually I may repaint with the Swan White we chose for the house; currently the walls read a bit vanilla and the ceiling slightly pink, so repainting is on the list for the future. For the short term, though, the walls are fine.
The room has asymmetrical windows and a stone fireplace. The stone is handsome but not exactly my preferred color or style, so that’s something I might address later. Every room has features or limitations; the key is deciding whether to highlight, incorporate, or minimize them.
Before the holidays I didn’t want to take on major projects like paint or a fireplace overhaul, so my focus was on furniture arrangement and a rug to make the biggest impact with the least effort.
We have a lovely view from the windows, and I wanted to embrace it while also keeping the room inviting for evening use when the view is dark. This is a living room where we relax, work, and converse, so it needs to be comfortable both day and night. The view is a terrific feature, but the room has other functions too.
When we first moved in the sofa faced the fireplace, which is a cozy setup in many homes. But in this layout that arrangement closed the space off from the rest of the house and blocked the view. Since the windows are a major asset, I wanted the room to invite people in to enjoy the scenery rather than feel tucked away around the fire. Facing the windows made more sense for how we use the room.
We aren’t buying new furniture for this room now, so we worked with what we had.
Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 (similar) // 8 // 9 // 10
We left the tall cabinet where it is because it won’t fit under the windows and it’s the right scale for that wall. It anchors the space, provides storage, and creates a place for lamps—important in a room without overhead lighting.
With the fireplace at the end of the room, the cabinet on one side, and the windows opposite, we found a natural spot to center the conversation area. The area beside the cabinet isn’t ideal for the main seating since it doesn’t take advantage of the view, but it’s great for storage and occasional seating.
We angled a wingback chair beside the glass cabinet, placed another chair opposite, and set the sofa across from them. That created a cozy conversation nook nestled between the fireplace, cabinet, and windows. The arrangement offers seating with a view during the day and a comfortable spot near the fireplace in the evening.
The leather loveseat sits well in front of the windows because it’s low enough not to block the view. Our sofa table finally found a home next to the sofa and fireplace, creating a useful nook for plants and a spot to sit with a laptop or a cup of coffee while looking outside.
Once the furniture was arranged, I realized a rug was the missing element to complete the space. Most of our furniture is neutral, aside from a colorful ottoman, so the right rug would bring personality and tie the room together.
I chose a rug with more punch rather than a plain neutral. The blue tone was a pleasant surprise—online it looked different than in person—but once we laid it down it felt perfect. The blue plays nicely with our gray and brown furnishings, while the white pattern and subtle brown mixed into the blue give it a slightly antiqued look that adds interest without overwhelming the room.
After visiting the HGTV Dream Home I placed Glidden paint chips on the ottoman and noticed how well the blues and teals related to our living room palette. I like when colors flow through a home without matching exactly—small color surprises make a space more visually pleasing.
I initially thought I might want a matching second wingback, but testing a dining chair in the space proved a practical temporary solution. Someday I may add a built-in window seat as I’ve mentioned before, but we’re happy with the current arrangement for now. I enjoy curling up on the sofa, working from a chair, and soaking in the view.
At the moment the fireplace complements the layout, although the Christmas tree in the corner is temporary. I may tweak the arrangement after the holidays and possibly refresh the fireplace look later. For now, the room feels cozy and comfortable.
That’s where we are right now. I’ll be adding blinds to the windows after Christmas and will share more about our choices in January. I’m excited to make the space even cozier—it’s already a room I love spending time in.
GIVEAWAY
To inspire you to refresh your home this winter, Glidden offered a $100 Home Depot gift card to a reader of The Inspired Room. The giveaway has now closed.
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More Posts:
Our Seattle House Tour {video}
Finding Joy At Home {when you’re feeling like you’re in a slump!}
5 Ways to Add More Cozy to Your Home
5 Reasons to Love the Home You Have {my guide on eBay}
Shop My House and Gift Guides
10 Little Ways to Refresh Your Home