A Warm Living Room Refresh
When my client first got in touch, her living room was what she called “functional but flat.” With three children now in their teenage years, the once toy-filled, chaos-zone of a space had become… well, a bit tired. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t homey, either.
The Project Brief
She wanted a space that felt lived-in, but not messy. Comfortable, but not sloppy. Most of all, she wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and “more like a place where we actually hang ou, not just pass through.” No more cold tones, no more blank walls. Just a fresh, adult-friendly space that still worked for teenagers who are known to recline like royalty.
The Transformation
We started with a rich but neutral colour palette, warm taupes, soft terracottas, and a little olive green for depth. Plush textiles were a must: layered throws, oversized cushions. I would have added a big, squishy stain resistant sectional that everyone could actually fit on, but she had already bought new sofas that had been stored in the garage awaiting the transformation.
To ground the space, we added a large textured rug and some much-needed ambient lighting, table lamps, wall sconces, and yes, even a dimmable overhead. Because nobody looks good under a single ceiling bulb.
We also gave the walls some love. A gallery of family photos in mixed frames added personality, while the media wall gave them an opportunity to gather, as well as display their less embarrassing books and memories.
🎉 The Result
Now, the living room feels like a space with a soul. It’s warm, it’s lived-in, and it gets used daily by everyone. The client told me, “We actually want to sit in here now.” Mission very much accomplished.
