So, I know I shouldn’t start a new project before finishing the ones I’ve already begun. Still, I’m a rebel at heart and admittedly enjoy a little challenge. My office is almost finished — I just need to hang blinds and two reading lights, then I’ll take photos to share. A few other small projects remain too: the map wall, the fireplace wall, and painting the other side of the front door. I’ll post those as proof when they’re done.
Disclaimer: I tend to hop between projects — that’s how I work around family, church and life obligations. It may look scattered, but I do finish things and will reveal them when they’re ready.
I’m grateful for a home and don’t mean to complain; I simply want the spaces to function better for our daily life so we can be more effective in everything else we do.
Our living room wasn’t working.
Although our house isn’t very small, many areas weren’t being used efficiently. Rather than move or add on, I needed to make better use of the space we already have. I’ve written before about making the most of small houses and rethinking how spaces are used, and I’ve been putting that thinking into action.
A lot has happened since this post!
*If you want to see what the living room looks like now, check the UPDATE ON THE LIVING ROOM!
*To see the finished office, check the Home Office Makeover!
*To follow kitchen remodel posts, see the kitchen remodel category.
My updated office is very small but has become an effective, organized workspace for my business needs. Placing our family organization systems in the hallway just outside that office made that transitional space useful instead of merely a pass-through.
A wall in process, pardon the nails…
On one side of the hall is a wire wall organizer from TJ Maxx that helps us sort papers for each family member — if it’s empty, we’re staying on top of things. On the other side is our command-central chalkboard, which we use constantly. These small changes are helping the key areas of the house function much better.
The living room, located off the entry and beside the staircase, simply wasn’t pulling its weight.
Why didn’t it work? We had set it up like a traditional sitting room — sofa, coffee table, chairs — essentially duplicating the family room. For a household of three most of the week, this made little sense. The living room rarely offered escape from noise because it’s too open to the rest of the house. After creating a “girl space” in my office — a closed room that actually provides quiet — the formal living room became redundant.
The living room was small and constantly felt crowded. My husband would bring home guitar equipment and briefcases, and my son would drop off his instruments. All of those items ended up scattered around the furniture. It didn’t function as an entry or mudroom, and it didn’t function as a true living room either — it lacked purpose and identity.
I eventually decided enough was enough and removed the furniture. It felt liberating to clear the room rather than keep furniture we seldom used that only added to the stress of clutter. The carpet didn’t help either — it still bore a paint stain we nicknamed the graffiti paint carpet, hidden for a while under an area rug. Since pets and carpet don’t mix well for us, replacing the carpet is part of the plan.
My vision for the space is to create a more flexible, functional room that flows from the entry. I’m considering hickory hardwood floors to match the entry, a built-in window seat with storage, a long cabinet under the windows for stashing items, a few large hooks for coats, and plenty of open floor space. Without bulky furniture in the way, the room could adapt to many uses: a dining area, craft space, game room, meeting spot, or a flexible gathering area for everyday life and special occasions.
I’m still gathering ideas and inspiration photos and will refine the plans as I decide. For now I’m excited to transform this underused room into a space that truly works for our lifestyle.
Do you have a less-than-useful living or dining room?