Sometimes, the inability to immediately transform a space can be a blessing in disguise. Over the past four years, our living room has served as a collection point for cast-off furniture and decor. Yet, through this time, we discovered the best way to utilize this space. While our home isn’t large, we do have a cozy family room complete with a TV and fireplace, as well as a finished basement where the kids indulge in video gaming, movie marathons, and overnight gatherings with friends.
However, this particular room bathed in natural light slowly evolved into our sanctuary. It became the go-to spot for reading, working, catching up on emails, or simply unwinding with a glass of wine in the company of friends. With that realization, our goal for the space became clear: we wanted it to be a warm, inviting, and comfortable lounging area while still remaining functional for entertaining guests.
The Bookcase Wall Transformation
Inspired by Bliss At Home, I embarked on a DIY project for the Spring 2014 One Room Challenge (ORC), constructing an entire wall of bookcases. In my enthusiasm, I dubbed the space “THE LIBRARY” in a dramatic tone, hoping the name would stick. Spoiler alert it didn’t. The rest of the family continued calling it the living room. Despite my failed naming campaign, the bookcase wall became a striking focal point and one of the best features of the room.
Additionally, I repurposed our old TV armoire, and it turned into one of the most useful furniture pieces in our home. The satisfaction of transforming and breathing new life into existing pieces was undeniable.
The Game-Changer: A Sectional to the Rescue
As fate would have it, just before Thanksgiving, we faced the daunting prospect of hosting a house full of guests with insufficient seating. In a last-minute decision, we purchased a massive modular sectional—choosing the in-stock color mainly because Mark and I finally agreed on comfort, size, and (most importantly) its availability for delivery by Wednesday, November 26. The alternative would have been resorting to our deck furniture indoors—not ideal!
When the sectional arrived, I had a brief moment of panic. Its modern style was a stark contrast to what I had initially envisioned for the space. However, as soon as our home filled with people, I realized it was the best decision. We managed to fit ten people of varying sizes onto the sectional at once, and it still felt spacious and ridiculously comfortable.
Nestled among the surrounding windows, this sectional quickly became the ultimate lounging spot. It’s crazy deep, allowing two people to stretch out facing each other without feeling cramped. (I frequently convince the kids to do this under the guise of sharing a blanket, but in reality, it’s just my sneaky way of getting extra snuggles.)
Styling the Space
To complement the new sectional, I purchased three lush blue velvet pillows from World Market, and let me tell you they were an absolute steal! They added a pop of color and texture to the space at a fraction of the price I had anticipated.
I also bought some absolutely gorgeous fabric, fully intending to sew custom pillows. But, let’s be real I’m terrified of ruining the fabric, so those pillows are indefinitely postponed.
Then, caught up in the momentum of let’s get this room done, we ordered a new rug: a basketweave seagrass piece with a “grey” border (which, if we’re being honest, leans more greige than grey). When the first one arrived damaged, the company promptly sent a replacement, but when they failed to pick up the damaged one in time, they told us we could “dispose” of it. Naturally, we “disposed” of it right into our dining room. Win-win!
Window Treatments & Finishing Touches
Next came the curtains. I had previously hung drapery I liked well enough, but after installing linen curtains for a client, I came home, took one look at mine, and declared, YOU’RE NO LONGER WELCOME HERE. Harsh? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
The linen curtains now grace our windows, offering a soft, filtered light and a subtle texture that I love. They added a level of sophistication to the space that I didn’t even realize was missing.
One of my favorite additions to the space was a cozy, chunky scarf gifted to me by my son’s girlfriend for Christmas. When I’m not wearing it, I drape it over a chair for an extra layer of warmth and texture—because who says winter decor can’t include personal accessories?
The Importance of Greenery & Small Details
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: Every room needs a live plant! Adding a bit of greenery breathes life into any space. I also scored an adorable little side table for just FOUR dollars from a Facebook yard sale site in my town—best deal ever!
I adore the contrast between the quiet, neutral tones of the room and the vibrant, eclectic display on my bookcase wall. Taking inspiration from Jenny Komenda, I rearranged my books first by genre and then loosely by color. (By the way, did you see her amaaaaazing new library setup? Total goals!)
A Long Road to Completion
Looking back at old photos from when we first moved in, the transformation is astounding. It’s taken nearly five years to evolve from a mismatched, underutilized space into a room that truly reflects our family’s lifestyle. A few final tweaks remain, but I have a feeling that 2015 might just be the year I can finally call a room in my own house finished.
Don’t Forget!
Tomorrow marks the return of the Best of the Nest (BOTN) Party! Since we skipped December, feel free to link up your best projects from either December or January—we can’t wait to see what you’ve been working on!
Stay tuned for more updates as we put the finishing touches on this space. And if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the slow process of creating a home you love, take heart. Sometimes, a little patience leads to the most rewarding transformations!
