When Katie sent us photos of her living room makeover, the transformation left us speechless. The contrast between the before and after is striking, and her thoughtful choices make the space feel fresh, cozy, and well tailored to family life. Below is the letter Katie sent along with a few details about what changed.
Hi guys! I just wanted to share my living room redesign with you. When we first laid eyes on our house, the living room (well the whole house) was definitely not our style.
Among a few other major events since we moved in — like welcoming baby boy #3 last summer — it felt great to finally tackle this room. We painted, updated the lighting, and found some fantastic pieces via Craigslist and local garage sales. It was amazing how much a fresh coat of paint and the right light fixtures changed the feel of the whole space.
The drapes were repurposed from my son Isaac’s nursery and I added a pom-pom trim to give them more personality. I also splurged on a new canvas that works perfectly with our color palette. Right now I’m tempted to go even bolder with the walls — considering navy blue, charcoal gray, aubergine, or a deep chocolate tone. My husband is rolling his eyes, but I’m excited about the possibilities. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do! – Katie
Thanks for sharing, Katie. Her redesign is a great example of how a few strategic updates can dramatically improve a living room without a full renovation. A few highlights worth noting for anyone planning a similar makeover:
- Paint: A single well-chosen paint color can unify mismatched elements and set the tone for the whole room. Katie’s lighter base now gives her flexibility if she decides to move to a darker accent or full wall color later.
- Lighting: Swapping outdated fixtures for more modern sconces and a statement overhead light instantly modernized the space. Proper lighting layers — ambient, task, and accent — make a room feel more intentional.
- Secondhand finds: Craigslist and garage sales are fantastic resources for scoring high-quality furniture and unique accessories on a budget. A well-placed vintage find can become the focal point of the room.
- Textiles and art: Reusing the nursery drapes with a little trim customization, adding a graphic throw, and introducing bold artwork gave the room personality without breaking the bank.
Katie also shared a clever money-saving tip about sourcing a large area rug affordably — she found a smart workaround that kept costs down while still achieving a polished look. She explains the whole process on her blog, including before-and-after photos and a breakdown of where she saved versus where she spent. It’s a helpful read if you’re looking to do a similar refresh on a budget.
As for our favorite elements: the graphic throw on the sofa and the skull artwork really stand out for their personality and contrast. Others love the sconces, the comfortable sofa, and the sculptural egg chair that adds a mid-century modern touch. Together these pieces balance function and style in a family-friendly way.
Now for the fun part — the paint color poll. If you had to vote for the wall color in Katie’s living room, which would you pick: navy blue, charcoal gray, aubergine, or chocolate? Each option would create a distinct mood: navy for a calm, classic feel; charcoal for dramatic sophistication; aubergine for a warm, moody richness; and chocolate for a cozy, grounded atmosphere. Which one speaks to you?
We appreciate Katie sending in her story and images. Her makeover is a great reminder that intentional choices, a mix of thrifted and new pieces, and a little creativity can dramatically improve a space while keeping it practical for everyday family life.