Renovating and Designing A Small Living Room

In most newer homes you'll see living spaces with high ceilings and open concepts. In my early 1900s built home, this is not the case. I have a relatively small living space that experts would call cozy. You won't hear complaints from me about that fact because I have less space to fill with furniture and decor. The living room space was more comfortable for me to work on now that I am 2 years into renovating. Projects like refinishing floors, baseboards, window installation, and trim were much less stressful than they used to be.

Living Room w/ Unfinished Floors and Trim

Completed Trim and Freshly Sealed Floors

That said, I was more comfortable trying some new things. The new things for this project included repairing a termite-damaged window frame, repairing the crumbling plaster coat closet, and building a coffee table. Check out my Instagram to see this window repair in action.

After: Replaced Window Frame and Window

Before: Termite Damaged Window Frame

What was most important to me was to make sure the space was comfortable and inviting. While I wasn't ready to paint this room a bold color, I brought in color and texture with a beautiful rug, artwork, pillows, and decor. I also mixed wood tones to create a warmer feeling in the room.

To list all of the small things that come together to build a room from the studs and then make a space complete, I could write a book. From stripping paint from the closet door to the pop of color in the closet. And my favorite, the coffee table. Check out the table in my furniture builds! I can appreciate this space so much more because it came together with my own hands. And while I can't say that there won't be more changes or additions in this space, I look forward to relaxing here for the foreseeable future.

After: Living Room

Before: Living Room

Before: Closet Door

After: Closet Door