When reader Megan sent in her front room makeover, we knew right away it was one of the most delightful redesigns we’ve seen. Her letter captured the whole journey—from a dated baby blue room to a fresh, inviting space that feels both stylish and comfortable. Here’s what she shared:
Hi Young Housesters! I wanted to show you how much you inspired me in my front room spruce up. When we moved in, the front room was baby blue with a dainty floral border. Not exactly the look we were going for. So we painted it a neutral shade of cream and I found an amazing rug and hung some brown curtains. It was too drab and needed something but what? I was lost and then I found you guys and fell madly in love! I was perusing your before & afters when I found your post about hanging bamboo blinds on your front room window. I thought that it was fantastic so I set out to copy you.
I found these fab (yes, I am stealing your terminology) blue silk curtains that brightened things up and I got the same bamboo blinds that you guys purchased from Wally World (aka: Walmart). It made such a difference. I even hung them myself because I am awesome like that! I love them! A quick change on the sofa cover, a few new throw pillows inspired from some of your decorating dilemma mood boards and voila: new and improved room. As Sherry might say, it’s been swankified. Thanks for all of your hard work and inspiration! Your house is just as fantastic, lovely, fab and swanky as I think you two are. Can’t sing your praises loud enough! Thanks! -Megan
From Dated to Delightful: The Before
The original room felt stuck in another era—baby blue walls topped with a floral border that made the space feel smaller and more fussy than welcoming. While the homeowner had already neutralized the walls with a cream paint and added brown curtains and a rug, the room still lacked personality and brightness. That’s where a few carefully chosen updates made a world of difference.
The After: Fresh, Bright and Thoughtful
Megan’s final result feels cohesive and lively without losing comfort. A pair of blue silk curtains introduced a bright, cheerful accent that transformed the room’s mood. Paired with bamboo blinds, the window treatments now offer both texture and functionality—filtering light while adding warmth. The change to a lighter, more modern sofa cover and new throw pillows brought in coordinated pops of icy blue that tie the whole palette together.
Design Choices That Work
Several smart design moves made this room more functional and attractive:
- Layered window treatments: The combination of bamboo blinds and silky curtains brings depth and visual interest while offering flexible light control.
- Rug over carpet: Placing an area rug over wall-to-wall carpet helps define the seating area and anchors the furniture, creating a more intentional layout.
- Smaller tables instead of one bulky coffee table: Two smaller tables add balance and visual openness while still providing surface space for decor and daily use.
- Strategic pops of color: Introducing icy blues in pillows and accents brightens the palette and ties back to the curtains without overwhelming the room.
- Mixing furniture types: Using a chest or dresser as a living-room storage piece is a clever alternative to a console table; it adds character and valuable storage while functioning beautifully in a communal space.
Final Thoughts
Megan’s makeover is proof that you don’t need a total overhaul to achieve a big impact. Thoughtful textiles, layered window treatments, and a few well-chosen accents can transform a room from dated to distinctly fresh. Her willingness to try new elements—like bamboo blinds and silk curtains—along with practical swaps like a sofa cover and new pillows, created a bright, airy living area that now reads as intentional and welcoming.
If you’ve made a similar transformation at home, we’d love to see your before-and-after photos. Sharing how small changes add up to a major update helps inspire others and highlights creative, budget-friendly ways to refresh a room.