How I Styled Our Living Room After Our Renovation
After sharing our kitchen renovation, I wanted to share our living room next. Our living room is right off our kitchen, and even though our home already had great bones featuring an open concept layout, this space was completely transformed during our renovation and has quickly become one of our favorite spots.
Before the renovation, our living room actually had carpet and felt much more closed off. Now, it’s open, bright, and seamlessly connected to our kitchen and backyard which makes it a space we use constantly as a family.
When designing this room, we wanted something that was not only more aligned with our vision and style but also more functional for every day life with small kids.
BEFORE: Our kitchen / living room combination pre-renovation
BEFORE: Our living room with old, outdated carpet and dungy fireplace
Goodbye, Carpet!
The carpet previously made the space feel completely separate from the rest of the first floor. I knew from the very first moment I toured this home that I wanted to replace it with hardwood floor. Demo day when the carpet was ripped up was a great day for me!
Replacing the carpet with hardwood flooring instantly made everything feel brighter, more open, and much more connected to the kitchen and surrounding spaces.
It’s also been so much more practical for this season of life with little kids and a dog. The hardwood floors feel far more durable and easier to maintain for everyday family life.
We also knew we wanted to incorporate functional storage wherever possible so the space could feel beautiful without becoming overwhelmed by clutter.
One of the best decisions we made was choosing an electric fireplace that stays cool to the touch. With a baby and toddler, this has been a total game changer. It gives us that cozy fireplace feel while still being safe and easy to use every day.
Even our dog, Luna, was pleased to see the carpet go! During construction.
Our Dream Fireplace + Built-Ins
I’ve always dreamed of having a fireplace with built-ins on either side, and I finally got my wish with this renovation in our living room! We worked closely with our designer and contractor to create something custom, and I’m obsessed with how it turned out.
This was one part of our pre-construction process that we went through multiple iterations and I’m glad we did in hindsight. A reminder to always be open and honest about your interior designer to get it right!
Instead of doing matching built-ons on both sides of the fireplace, we added a bench on one side and higher cabinet built-ins on the other. Overall, the built-ins give our space an elevated look while also adding much needed storage to hide our many toddler and baby toys.
After! We love our new living room, especially the fireplace and built-ins.
Layering in Mood + Character
Once the structure was in place, we layered in design details that really elevate the space:
Sconces above the fireplace to add a soft, moody glow. Sconces are another design element I really pushed for, BTW and they really give a vibe at night!
Floating shelves that perfect for styling and sentimental items
Molding above the fireplace that gives a custom, but lived-in feel
These are the kinds of details that make a space feel finished.
We love the vibe of our fireplace and sconces at night!
A Decision I’m So Glad We Made
My husband had one request: no TV above the fireplace. Mainly so he could get a bigger TV! Ha.
I was skeptical, but since he really let me take the reigns on most of the design and selections for this renovation, I let him have this one. We ended up placing the TV on the opposite wall, and I’m so glad we did. It helps keep the fireplace as the focal point, makes the room feel more balanced and looks much more intentional.
Working With What We Already Had
We didn’t want to start from scratch, so we kept our grey couch and styled around it. Even though most people are moving toward cream or white colored couches, we didn’t want to invest in a brand new couch after a big renovation.
By adding neutral throw pillows and textured blankets, it completely refreshed the look and tied in colors from the rest of the living room and kitchen without needing to buy new furniture.
Tips for Styling a Cozy, Functional Living Room
If you’re designing your own living room, here’s what I’d focus on:
Prioritize function first
Add built-in storage if you can
Layer textures (not just color)
Be intentional with layout decisions
Use what you already have
Invest in a good rug + lighting
Shop This Room
Throw pillows:
Grey couch (ours is from Darvin Furniture and no longer sold but linking something similar)
Coffee table (ours is from Darvin Furniture but linking something similar)
