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      How My Living Room Decor Has Evolved

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      Ideas on how to decorate a living room while allowing it to change and evolve over time to fit your life and personal style.

      If you joined the Facebook Group, The Decorating Panel (invite here), then you know this week is all about living rooms. When I went to look for a post to share in the group that showed how my living room looks now after living and updating the house for 5 years, I realized I didn’t have one.
      All of my more recent blog posts with photos taken in my living room are focused on a project I have done in the room or around holiday decorations.
      It was time to gather up a few photos in one post all about how the decor in my living room has evolved to what the room looks like now. It has gone through many changes – floor to ceiling.
      When I think back to how the room used to look, I realize just how much the room has evolved to make it fit the setting of the house and my personal style of decorating.
      I liked everything I did in the room over the years and don’t regret anything. The longer we lived in the house, the more I could see just what the room needed. The decor became more in tune with what is most important in the room… the view out the sliding glass doors to the lake.
      The Living Room – BEFORE

      If you have been a long time reader, you may remember how the living room looked when we first saw the house with our real estate agent. Here is a photo of the room with the previous owners furnishings.
      Once we moved in, I started removing and updating right away. The process has been ongoing ever since. One that I enjoy and will never be done doing as life changes, so must the spaces we live in.

      The first big change was removing the wall with a pocket door between the kitchen and living room.

      We removed it with the help of a contractor.

      It took some time, but was worth the effort.

      With the wall removed, the view to the lake was doubled from both the kitchen and living room.
      After this everything else we have done in the room, we have done ourselves to save money.

      On the opposite side of the room, we covered up this brick wall with…

      …white vertical paneling. We also built a stone fireplace using a product called AirStone.
      The mantel is from the top of a dining room hutch that was in our previous house. We no longer had a place for it and nobody wanted it so we had to break it apart, but saved the top to use as a mantel.

      Wall Color: SW Pure White
      I wasn’t sure yet what style of furniture I wanted for the room, so we brought the outdoor furniture into the room until we bought new furniture a piece at a time.

      On the long wall is the only place for the sofa. I have always had a slipcovered sofa. This one was a tie-on slipcover over a navy blue sofa from our previous house.

      I bought a new console table and placed it behind the sofa. It gave me a surface for a much needed lamp and decorative accessories.

      Eventually I bought a new Rolled Arm Slipcovered Sofa from Pottery Barn, made an oversize Fixer Upper Wall Clock and began to change the decorative accessories out every season. Blue pillows means it’s summer. 🙂
      Getting The Hardwood Floor Refinished

      When the hardwood floor was refinished is when I began to like the room. Up until this point, I always felt no matter what I added to the room, the orange floor always stuck out.

      The only time the floor looked OK was in the fall when I added fall colors to the room.

      The new grey floor stain made a huge difference. I finally felt I could do what I really wanted decor wise and not have to deal with the orange wood-tone anymore.

      How My Living Room Looks Now

      Sofa | Console Table | Rug | Barnwood Panels | Frames | Coffee Table | Pillows
      My house is on a point lot with the lake on 3 sides and tall pines all over our property. With nature all around us, I wanted the living room to reflect that so the two felt seamless. About a year ago I came up with a name for the decorating style of my living room.
      I call the style, White and Woodsy. It is a little bit traditional, not quite rustic, but has a nod to it. It’s casual and laid back, but overall has a bit of polish and uniformity.
      After going back and forth on ways to make the clock pop and add more of a cozy feel to the room, I chose to accent these two walls with Barnwood paneling instead of painting them a color.
      Adding it made the room come together instantly. I wouldn’t want it everywhere, but as an accent it works well.

      Wall Clock | Lamp
      It is cozy, yet bright and cheery. Cozy is more than a look, cozy is a feeling and I wanted it for this room.
      I created the gallery wall to create interest and to see the people I love the most on a daily basis.
      The Fireplace

      I change what is on the mantel seasonally, most of the time restyling items I already own in new ways.
      I looked for a long time to find comfy chairs that not only recline, but rock and swivel all around. This allows us to face the TV, the lake or swivel around to look at the fireplace.
      Full Room View

      Pom Pom Ottoman Slipcovers | White Sideboard
      The size of the room is 15′ x 16′. Not large, so I like to keep the furnishings minimal and cohesive.
      To create a conversational grouping of furniture in the room, two chairs across from the sofa would have made the space feel cramped and the chair backs would block the view to the lake.
      Instead, for more seating that visually doesn’t block the view, the pair of ottomans works perfectly. Extra and moveable seating when needed while adding to the decor.
      I painted the existing ceiling fan white.

      This wide-angle shot kind of distorts the room and makes it look larger than it is, but you can get a better overall feel for the space.
      Sliding Glass Doors & TV Wall

      I semi-made the extra wide drapery panels on the sliding glass doors by sewing two pre-made panels together. The TV is on a swing arm mount so we can easily change the angle to the kitchen or living room.
      Decorative Details Around the Room

      Basket Table | Floor Lamp

      Faux Concrete Planter

      Firewood Storage

      Coffee Table Styling

      Seasonal Changes
      One reason I like neutral walls and seating is that I can easily change out the decorative accessories to seasonal colors and not worry about having things match or coordinate. No matter what color I place in the room, it goes. No set color scheme to have to work with.

      Summer

      Christmas

      Autumn

      The view from the kitchen to the living room. My latest project was creating this plate rack wall. It provides a nice transition between the two rooms.

      I know that was a lot of photos, but they tell the story of how the room has evolved over 5 years we have lived in the house.
      The room will never be done as I enjoy changing the decor seasonally. I also know that my life and tastes may change, so will this room.
      Do you like to change things up in your living room for the seasons or as your tastes and circumstances change?

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      in Rooms

      Ten contemporary living rooms with calm interiors

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      In our latest Dezeen Lookbook, we’ve rounded up 10 living rooms with calm, relaxing interiors, including rooms with soothing colours and natural materials that create a peaceful environment. This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased peaceful bedrooms, dining rooms in American homes, and kitchens and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

      Budge Over Dover house, Australia, by YSG
      Interior design studio YSG opened up the kitchen and living room into one large, open-plan space that connects to the garden to create a “fluid” sense of space in the Budge Over Dover House in Sydney.
      The studio used warm, deep colours to create a sense of calm, including dark wood detailing and aubergine hues. Marble surfaces add a luxury touch and look intriguing next to the simple brick floor.
      Find out more about Budge Over Dover house ›

      Esperinos Guesthouse, Greece, by Michael Stamos
      Greek designer Michael Stamos used a moss-green colour for the living room walls in the Esperinos guesthouse in Greece. The colour gives the room a relaxing feel and picks up the green from the plants that are dotted around the space.
      A nearby staircase has been painted black as a contrast, creating a moody atmosphere that’s contrasted by the colourful cushions on the large sofa.
      Find out more about Esperinos Guesthouse ›

      Whidbey Island Farm, USA, by MW Works
      MW Works wisely designed Whidbey Island Farm to make the most of the surrounding nature, with large windows and a pared-back interior design that lets the view speak for itself.
      Simple wooden furniture sits both inside the living room and on the connected terrace, while woven blankets and a furry throw adding a cosy touch. The open fire means the owners can enjoy the view of the surrounding forest in comfort even in the depths of winter.
      Find out more about Whidbey Island Farm ›

      VS House, India, by Sãrãnsh
      Architecture studio Sārānsh used local Kota tiles in the living room of the VS House in Ahmedabad to create a sense of tactility. The interior was kept minimalist, but the studio created interest by combining a range of different natural materials.
      The discrete grey hues of the plush furniture cushions work well against the rattan armrests and wooden furniture bases, while a decorative wall in dark wood adds a refined touch.
      Find out more about VS House ›

      Nithurst Farm, UK, by Adam Richards
      Nithurst Farm might have been inspired by both Roman architecture and Soviet-era science fiction, but its living room has a more traditional look.
      Architect Adam Richards, who designed Nithurst Farm as his own home, took advantage of the high, concrete ceilings as a calm background onto which he’s projected bright splashes of colour in the form of paintings and curtains. A baroque-style chair and a fabric-clad footstool help soften the space.
      Find out more about Nithurst Farm ›

      Williamsburg schoolhouse, US, by White Arrow
      The living room of this schoolhouse in Brooklyn, which studio White Arrow’s founders designed for their own home, has plenty of patterned textiles, but their creamy pastel hues means the space still doesn’t feel busy.
      A large palm tree is a fun detail and picks up the dark wood of a small sideboard and a floating TV-bench. Clean, white walls and a selection of modernist white lamps, as well as glass sofa table, create a restful atmosphere.
      Find out more about Williamsburg schoolhouse ›

      Bismarck House, Australia, by Andrew Burges Architects
      With its floor-to-ceiling glass walls that open out onto a garden in Bondi, Sydney, the living room of Bismarck House has the feel of a terrace. Andrew Burges Architects kept the details simple, adding galvanised steel columns and a concrete floor to “reinforce a robust outdoor character.”
      Furniture is in the same laid-back style with wooden chairs and a daybed creating comfortable resting spots. A terracotta-coloured wall lends the space more privacy and adds to the comfortable holiday-vibe of this inviting living room.
      Find out more about Bismarck House ›

      Riverside Apartment, US, by Format Architecture Office
      The living room of Riverside Apartment, set within a 1920s building on New York’s Upper West Side, owes much of its quiet charm to the beautiful wooden floorboards. The theme was taken up in both furniture in various types of wood and a woodclad doorway.
      Crisp white walls are decorated with graphic art that perfectly matches the mid-century modern furniture to create a soothing environment.
      Find out more about Riverside Apartment ›

      Casa Meco, Portugal, by Atelier Rua
      The enormous sitting room in Casa Meco, a holiday home south of Lisbon, Portugal, has three different vistas surrounding it and plenty of space for socialising and relaxing.
      Earthy colours were used for the interiors, which work well with the exposed-concrete ceiling and floor and make for a laid-back space. Glazed panels can be slid open for easy outdoor access.
      Find out more about Casa Meco ›

      Residence for Two Collectors, US, by Wheeler Kearns Architects
      The living room of this Chicago penthouse is filled with art, collected by its owners, and features a striking view of the city skyline.
      In front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, a sofa group in pale colours is combined with a matching rug in calm grey and white hues, while a seagreen glass coffee table picks up the light from the windows.
      A Georg Nakashima bench from the owners’ collection adds an organic touch to the elegant space.
      Find out more about Residence for Two Collectors ›
      This roundup is part of our interior inspirations series that aims to provide ideas for people renovating or decorating their homes. For more inspiration read our pieces focused on bathrooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and home offices.

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      Eight comfortable living rooms with inviting interiors

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      With winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, Dezeen has selected eight snug living rooms with cosy features including fireplaces and wood-lined walls.This is the latest roundup in a series providing visual inspiration for the home. Previous articles in the series showcased colourful kitchens, bedrooms with statement walls and domestic bathrooms designed by architects.

      Villa Weinberg, Denmark, by Mette and Martin Weinberg
      The inviting living room inside this 1940s cottage in Aarhus is almost entirely lined with oiled oak boards.
      Although it is devoid of sofas, the seating bench that runs around the room’s periphery has been topped with comforting tan-leather cushions and woolly throws. There are also a couple of beanbags for inhabitants to relax on.
      Find out more about Villa Weinberg ›

      Ocean House, Australia, by Rob Mills
      Concrete isn’t typically associated with cosiness – but architect Rob Mills has applied it throughout the living room of this house on Australia’s Great Ocean Road, adding homely details like a plump sofa, a shaggy rug and a fireplace.
      “I don’t see the design as being stark,” Mills said. “The interior is organic and tactile, and incorporates neutral fabrics.”
      Find out more about Ocean House ›

      Carriage House, USA, by Workstead
      Exposed-brick walls smattered with remnants of paint and plaster lend a cosy, lived-in quality to this lounge, which sits inside a Charleston home that dates back to the 1800s.
      Cane cabinetry, red-leather armchairs and an olive-green sofa provide extra touches of warmth.
      Find out more about Carriage House ›

      Avalanche House, New Zealand, by Intuitive Architects
      Pitched ceilings and plywood-lined walls make this holiday home in Wanaka feel much more like an intimate cabin.
      Intuitive Architects have finished its lounge with more cosy decor elements like fluffy cushions, a wood burner and even a trio of tree branches, which have been stood in the room’s corner.
      Find out more about Avalanche House ›

      North Bank, UK, by Elliott Architects
      Walls washed with pale-brown plaster give a rustic warmth to this living area, despite its lofty proportions and large windows which look out to the countryside of Northumberland.
      Tucked in the corner of the space is a daybed dressed with a patchwork blanket, fur throws and plush cushions, forming a perfect spot for inhabitants to snuggle up.
      Find out more about North Bank ›

      Central Park Road Residence, Australia, by Studio Four
      Studio Four orientated the design scheme of this Melbourne home around the concept of hygge – a Danish term used to describe feelings of cosiness, comfort and general contentment.
      Its living area rather aptly features a warm mix of blackened timber surfaces, copper light fixtures and tan-leather armchairs. The focal point of the room is a huge fireplace topped with a five-metre-high steel flue, where inhabitants can gather on chilly winter evenings.
      Find out more about Central Park Road Residence ›

      Cottage in Hai Zhen, China, by Sun Min and Christian Taeubert
      The creative pair behind the renovation of this cottage on the rural outskirts of Beijing opted to retain the property’s rustic features, while introducing slick contemporary elements.
      In the lounge, cracked plaster walls, worn ceiling beams and an old wood burner have contrastingly been paired with wire-frame chairs and steel cabinetry, forming a cosy yet balanced space.
      Find out more about the cottage ›

      Seaside Abode, Denmark, by Norm Architects
      Weathered beams of dark-stained timber clad the central gabled wall of this living room. Just in front are a couple of marble side tables, a thick fringed rug and taupe-coloured sofas.
      These earthy, tactile details are meant to foster a sense of warmth within the space, but also reflect the rugged coastal landscape of Denmark’s North Zealand region, which can be seen through the home’s expansive windows.
      Find out more about Seaside Abode ›

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      Simply ReStyled Decorating

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      I was going to title this post “Raid Your Decorating Stash”, but decided, “Simply ReStyled” better explains what this post is about. This post is about decorating, which of course I know you enjoy, since you read my blog. XO But not just any decorating… this post is all about the decor YOU own. New […] More

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      Winter Decorating Ideas: Relax…Renew…Reset

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      If you recently put away your holiday decorations and are wondering what you can do to add some life back into your home, I have a few winter decorating ideas that you can easily implement in your own home.  This time of year in the decorating world it is all about…RENEWING and RESETTING. These two […] More

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      My Favorite Living Room Furniture Arranging Tip

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      When it comes time to decorate and arrange furniture in your living room or family room don’t overlook the power of what a pair of identical ottomans can do for the room. They can do a whole lot more than simply be a place to put your feet. Today I am sharing Part 3 of […] More

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      {Inspiration} Fillable Glass Lamps

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      Remember when I said I was having trouble finding large glass lamps, so I resorted to my DIY glass bottle lamp? Well, HomeGoods surprised me recently and had tons of pretty and large lamps, including these lovely glass lamps I put on my console cabinet! YAY! (Similar Lamp Source, and more options HERE) They aren’t as huge […] More