Before and After: Ashley’s Living Room Makeover
When Ashley excitedly sent photos of her living room after our mood board makeover, we were thrilled to share the transformation. Here’s the letter she sent:
Well here they are… our AFTER pictures! We love the mood board that you put together for us. It completely helped us in getting the look we wanted. We’re so happy that we replaced most of our hand-me-down furniture with more modern (yet inexpensive) pieces. We (and when I say “we” I really mean my hard-working husband!) repainted, installed new baseboards, had new floors put in, and used your help to bring our 1968 ranch up-to-date! We are excited to share the pictures with you and your readers! Hope you enjoy. – Ashley
Before we dive into the reveal, here’s a quick reminder of the original condition of the room. The house dated to 1968, with inherited furniture and finishes that made the space feel dated and disjointed. While the layout worked, the palette and furnishings didn’t reflect the modern, inviting aesthetic Ashley wanted.
After consulting, we created a concise mood board focused on refreshing the room with clean lines, layered textures, and a balanced mix of light and dark elements. The goal was to modernize the space without overspending: update the floors and trim, introduce a cohesive color story, and choose furniture and accessories that feel current yet comfortable.
Now for the big reveal: Ashley’s living room after the mood board makeover. The difference is dramatic. New hardwood flooring and freshly painted cream walls immediately brighten and unify the space. Those foundational changes alone shift the room from dated to contemporary, but the curated furnishings and accents complete the transformation.
Rich leather sofas and darker wood tones anchor the room, providing warmth and durability. To keep the room feeling open, lighter upholstered pieces, a large textured rug, and a pale ottoman create contrast and soften the overall look. The mix of finishes—leather, woven fiber, and lacquered wood—adds visual depth without overwhelming the senses.
Colorful lamps, thoughtful artwork, and glass vases on the mantel introduce carefully placed pops of color that energize the space. These accents were selected to tie together the furniture and the room’s architecture, creating a cohesive palette that feels both lively and relaxed. The fireplace, once painted but lackluster, now reads crisp and intentional in the refreshed setting.
Despite having a substantial entertainment center and two sizeable leather sofas, the room maintains an open, airy feel. The lighter walls, the pale ottoman, and the accent chair prevent the darker pieces from closing in. The ottoman, in particular, is a practical focal point: it serves as a flexible surface for entertaining or family game nights and anchors the seating arrangement in a warm, inviting way.
The overall result is a balanced living room that feels polished yet lived-in—approachable, stylish, and family-friendly. It’s a good example of how targeted updates—a new floor, fresh trim, a coherent palette, and selected furniture—can completely alter a room’s mood and functionality without a full-scale renovation.
We want to extend a big thank you to Ashley for sharing her beautiful after photos and letting us showcase the final look. She and her husband did an impressive job executing the plan, and their space now reflects a modern, welcoming lifestyle that suits their home perfectly. Which element of the makeover stands out to you? For us, the colorful table lamps and the layering of textures provide the most delightful punch of personality.
Update: We no longer have capacity to accept commissioned mood boards, but we continue to share general inspiration and design ideas on the blog. If that changes, we will announce it on our site.