You know when they say, “Good things take time?” I can assure you this saying is true as I complete our Living Room Refresh – Phase One. For the longest time, I’ve had the desire to create a living space that was free of clutter, open and welcoming, and overall portrayed a sense of warmth. As I set out to curate a living room I loved, I kept a few phrases at the top of my mind: Invest in quality pieces, create a space that serves our family well, and timeless.

This post is sponsored by Old Time Pottery, but the content and opinions expressed here are our own.

Living Room Refresh: Phase One

A Layout to Last

As we began this project, our biggest dilemma was deciding on a new layout for our living room. Having switched up our living room layout twice before, I still didn’t quite feel like we got it right.

Year One Layout:

Originally, our large sectional faced our fireplace. My husband Nick created a built-in unit to house our TV next to the fireplace. While we loved it, our living room felt cramped.

Year Two Layout:

Then, our neighbors introduced us to a new layout suggesting we move the TV to a wall up against the kitchen and place our sectional in the back corner of the room. We loved this layout but our long-term plans for our home kept popping up in my mind. One day, we hope to knock out that same wall our TV was on and create an open floor plan. We love hosting and entertaining, and an open floor plan will create extra space for gathering.

I decided it was time to poll our followers to get their opinion. Option 1: Place the couch facing the fireplace. (Con: the TV would be placed above the mantle) or Option 2: Place the couch facing the large wall. (Con: the back of the couch would be facing the fireplace).

Majority of our followers chose to place the TV over the fireplace. This still didn’t settle well with me. Phase two of our living room refresh will include a fireplace overhaul, and placing a TV on a newly renovated mantle just didn’t feel right. So, I went back to the drawing board asking myself if there was an option that gave me the best of both worlds. I hope to find an option where we could enjoy the fireplace, utilize the main blank wall for the TV, and prevent a couch from blocking our large doors.

Our Forever Layout:

It is possible to have your cake and eat it too. As we select our furniture for the space, we’re keeping three layouts in mind: 1 Couch, 1 Bench, and 2 Chairs – 1 Couch, 2 Chairs, and 2 Stools – or 1 Couch, 3 Chairs Layout. We placed the couch facing the doors in hopes of not blocking any light, and we will strategically place the other furniture as they arrive during phase two.

 

Creating a Sense Warmth

Paint:

Our whole home is painted Pure White. While I love a crisp clean white, it can feel a little too stark at times. My whole goal for this living room refresh was to create a sense of warmth in the space. Knowing this, I set out to find a warmer white to calm the space.

We tested a few warmer coats of white paint in hopes of removing the stark and cold vibes Pure White was giving the space. I researched different paint companies, testimonies from bloggers, and the best whites for a room facing North. After some trial and error, and lots of trips to the paint store, we landed on Swiss Coffee. Immediately after painting one wall, I knew in my heart we had made the best decision!

Texture and Textiles:

Along with paint, texture and textiles are other tools used to create a sense of warmth in a living space.  Old Time Pottery is my favorite store to shop for large area rugs, accent pillows, plants, and home decor because they offer a variety of styles at an affordable cost. I began searching for an area rug and curated an overall look for our living room refresh from there. They offer an array of colors, textures, and timeless styles that added warmth to our space. I opted to choose items that are not “on trend” or seasonal because I wanted to invest in pieces I’ll love forever. Selecting pieces with warm earth tones and deep blues helped me curate a collection to build a space that is calming and cozy.

A Look for Less

It’s easy to scroll and fall in love with beautiful furniture and home decor that costs a fortune. That’s why I always set out to create a look for less. For example, this wall tapestry is a DIY project using a rug found at Old Time Pottery, a wooden dowel, and two leather bracelets. Beautiful design doesn’t need to be expensive, all it takes is a little creativity!

 

A Step in the Right Direction

While we’re only on phase one of our living room refresh, I’m excited we’re taking steps in the right direction toward completing a room we love. Phase two will include: New Doors, Fireplace Overhaul, Accent Chairs, and Wall Sconces. Until then, here’s the full reveal of our Living Room Refresh: Phase One!

For more tips on how to create a space you love, be sure to check out our post over on the Old Time Pottery Blog!