Last week I shared a little progress from our living room refresh and some of our Christmas decor. If you missed it, we added a new rug (a real steal at $150) and rearranged the furniture—an affordable, easy update that made a big difference. I appreciated all the nice comments and the questions that followed, so today I’ll explain a few decisions we made and the plan for the space.
In an Instagram and Pinterest world, it’s nice to remember how simply rearranging furniture and adding a few pieces can turn a blank room into one you love now, even if you have bigger renovations or dreams for later.
Why wait for a major overhaul when you can love the home you have right now? That was my goal for this room.
When transforming a space on a small budget of time and money, start with furniture arrangement and bring in the elements every room needs to feel cozy and inviting.
If you want more detail on transforming rooms using what you already own and adding pieces over time, my book covers those principles—furniture selection and arrangement, using color and pattern, and more. For this update, I used those same ideas: keep the bones of the room simple and add a few thoughtful changes to make the space feel intentional.
For now I’m keeping the walls white. This room receives a lot of natural light, so white works well here; in darker rooms you might choose differently. We’ll likely use Swan White by Glidden here eventually. Right now the existing paint leans a bit vanilla on the walls and pink on the ceiling, so repainting is on the list—just not immediate.
The room also has asymmetrical windows and a stone fireplace that I like in some ways but will address later in other ways. Every room has features or quirks; the key is deciding what to highlight, what to work around, and what to plan for in the future. For this first, quick update before the holidays, I didn’t want to tackle paint, the fireplace, windows, or floors. I focused on furniture placement and a rug to maximize impact with minimal effort.
The windows offer a beautiful view, and I wanted to enjoy that while keeping the room inviting and comfortable for evening use. This is our living room—meant for conversation, lounging, working, and enjoying the view during the day. The view is an asset, but the room must function well whether it’s daylight or pitch black outside.
When we first moved in, the sofa faced the fireplace. That setup can be cozy, and it worked well in our old family room, but here it felt closed off from the rest of the house and kept us from taking advantage of the windows. With the furniture oriented toward the fireplace, none of our seating enjoyed the view. So we turned things around to invite people into the space and allow seating that faces the windows.
We didn’t want to buy new furniture for this room, so the challenge was making what we have work. The tall cabinet had to stay where it is—it doesn’t fit under the windows and anchors the room while providing storage and lamp placement. Because this room has no overhead lighting, lamps are essential for evening ambiance.
Sources: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 (similar) // 8 // 9 // 10
With the fireplace at the end of the room, the cabinet on one side, and windows opposite, the conversation area found a natural center. The cabinet’s position means the left side of the room as you enter doesn’t take full advantage of the view, but it’s perfect for storage and extra seating.
We angled the larger wingback chair beside the glass cabinet and placed another side chair opposite it with the sofa across, creating a cozy conversation grouping nestled between fireplace, cabinet, and windows. This arrangement gives us seating that enjoys the view during the day and remains comfortable by the fire in the evenings.
The leather loveseat fits nicely in front of the windows without blocking the view like taller wingbacks would. A sofa table that previously had no home found a spot near the sofa and fireplace, creating a small niche for plants and a place to sit with a laptop or coffee and look out the window.
Once the furniture was in place, a rug was the missing element to make the room feel complete. Our furniture is mostly neutral, with the ottoman providing a touch of color, so the right rug had to bring personality and cohesion.
I wanted a rug with more punch than a neutral brown or gray. The blue tone I ordered looked different online, and when it arrived I briefly worried, but once we put it down it felt perfect. The blue distinguishes itself from the gray and brown furniture and livens the palette. The white pattern and brown mixed into the blue give the rug an antiqued, natural look that complements the room.
After visiting the HGTV Dream Home, I laid out Glidden paint chips on the ottoman and loved how the blues and teals flowed with our living room palette. I prefer a mix of colors through the house rather than everything matching exactly; a few recurring shades with occasional surprises makes a home feel visually pleasing.
I considered a second matching wingback, but testing a dining chair in the spot proved it would work for now. Someday we might add the window seat I mentioned in a previous post, but for the moment this layout is comfortable and functional. I love curling up on the sofa by the fire or sitting in a chair to work while enjoying the view.
Right now the fireplace complements this layout, though a Christmas tree currently occupies a corner and will be removed. After the holidays I may rearrange slightly—perhaps flip the two gray chairs or make a small update to the fireplace.
That’s where we are for now. I’ll be adding blinds to the windows after Christmas and will share details in January. The room already feels cozy and inviting, and I enjoy spending time there.
GIVEAWAY
To inspire a little nesting this winter, Glidden offered a reader a $100 Home Depot gift card. The giveaway has since 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