5 Ways to Start a Room Makeover • Craving Some Creativity

I am sharing out living room makeover reveal and 5 unique ways to start a room makeover. A mix of traditional and bohemian, this living room décor uses faux greenery, neutrals and eclectic accents for year round styling.

Neutral living room design with green accents and traditional fireplace style.

Our living room is our gathering place – for conversation, a thrilling movie, or to cuddle when someone is sick. In short, it’s a space for living!

While I usually focus more on function and home improvement than design, I have done dozens of room makeovers over the years for clients, friends, and in my own home. And the core “needs list” for every space is usually the same – less clutter, and more put together. In all of those makeovers, everyone always asked me, “But where do I start?”

So today, while sharing our current living room, I thought I would share the 5 ways that I start a room makeover.

1. A Layout that fits the space

One of the first ways I usually look at a room is deciding how I want to use the space. Do I imagine myself sitting cozy watching a movie? Maybe a place to put down a cup of tea after a long day? Or maybe a place to put all the kid’s toys that they are going to play with?

Light grey couch with colorful accents and glass coffee table filled with fresh greenery.

One of the things that often stick out to me is furniture that is either the wrong size for a room, laid out wrong, or too heavy feeling. I also am a firm believer in leaving a balance of negative space – not every wall needs to be covered.

The former dark couches made the room feel smaller and more closed in, so I went lighter. With our family, no way I could do white or cream colored, and I can’t afford leather, so I opted for a lighter gray and compromised with white accent chairs. With the large entertainment center and oversized chairs, I paired a glass table so the room wouldn’t feel too heavy.

2. Ambiance

Even before I think about color schemes or styles, I like to first put a Pinterest board together around and examine how all my inspiration photos make me feel. Cozy, clean, airy, moody, sophisticated, vibrant?

For example, I still wanted patterns and fun, but with a feeling of fresh, simple, and serene.

Coffee Table decor with vase, candle, and books.

I wanted to keep everything simple this time around and the coffee table uncluttered, so I created scale with large coffee table books and hid the remotes in a pretty box.

I used to have a real fiddle leaf fig, but we were total fr-enemies. Leaves would turn brown no matter what I did or didn’t do. At times, I actually felt an air of patronizing superiority coming from that plant. I kept the fresh vibe by using an artificial fiddle leaf fig, but also hardier houseplants too.

Coffee table with decor items and reading nook in front of a window.

I wanted as much seating as possible since we entertain often. But the space needed to feel inviting, so some cozy blankets and throws and lots of chairs helped to create a space everyone could gather around and chat.

2. Architecture

The best rooms always have a feature that deserves to be highlighted – a fireplace, ceilings with beams, built in bookshelves, or maybe a bay window.

Sometime just before one Christmas, I suddenly decided to add some dimension to the fireplace mantle by adding some trim boxes and a heavier mantel piece. It matches the look of the entertainment center without taking away from it as the focal point.

Fireplace mantle picture frame trim decoration with oversized clock.

4. The “No Compromise” Items

Like most real living rooms, we have to decorate around the TV and speakers. However, my husband has a thing for BIG TVs. He doesn’t like golf or cars or other expensive hobbies, so if he saves his pennies for a big tv, I can’t say no to that.

Traditional living room with global accents entertainment center makeover painted in cream.

This entertainment center was a thrifty find a few years back, and it could not be more perfect for this room. You can see the before and after in my painted entertainment center makeover.

5. Accent with Personal Items Unique to You

I can’t even explain how tired I am of Instagram perfect, sterile rooms decorated in nothing, but soulless but cute Target finds. (I still love you, Target, I do!)

To me, a house isn’t a home unless it reflects the things in my life that bring me joy. Yes, sometimes that does include a cute IKEA faux plant, but it’s so much more than that.

Close up of sentimental items doubled as decor in entertainment center- antique books, sake set and cigar boxes.

Much like my craft room organization makeover, my living centers around what I want to display. I didn’t want to have to pack something away because it was “the wrong color” or, heaven forbid, “dated”. Hello, I would never have kids if that were the case, lol.

I could display things collected over a lifetime that I truly loved like my grandmother’s Saki set, childhood books, family photographs or my husband’s treasured awards.

Two white accent chairs with bamboo side table in a bohemian and traditional style with staircase behind them.

Mixing traditional furniture with global accents was the overall guiding principle. I am not a matchy-matchy kind of girl, so the accents brought in enough color and pattern for the room to feel casual.

Want More Home Design Advice?

Small dresser decor items including a round mirror, vase, picture frame and candles.

Before

I can’t believe how much the living room has changed!

Sources and Materials

Everything else was purchased at either Home Goods, Target, At Home, or a personal item.

Wall color: Valspar Oatlands Taupe
Trim/mantle color: Valspar Pale Bloom
Entertainment Center Makeover
Area Rug – ours is 12×14
Sofa
Coffee Table
White Accent Chairs
Wood Trimmed Accent Chair
Footstool (similar)
Metal Accent Table
Bamboo Accent Table (no longer available)
White Sofa Pillows (A steal!)
Black and White Geese Pillow Covers
Blue and White Throw Blankets
Floor Lanterns
Floor Lamp
Oversized Wall Clock
Artwork over couch (I took to a print shop and had them change the color to navy.)
Plants: Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig, Snake Plants, Sago Palm

There is SO MUCH more to actually designing a room, but now you have the tools to start with a solid foundation.

My mission is to be helpful, so I hope I’ve done that!

I’d love if you would join the Creative Club, so you never miss a post.

Weekend DIY project. A pegboard organizer in the craft room above the desk workspace.

More Home Makeovers

Traditional dining room reveal features plush linen wingback chair with brass tack detail and dark legs accented by modern black and white throw pillow. Traditional dining table and chairs sits on black and white floral pattern oriental rug covering dark finished floors. Light wainscotting leads up to blue-green patterned walls with framed white matted bird prints. — Dining Room

Modern Classic Guest Bathroom Transformation with white and navy color scheme. Subway tile, dual vanity, brass hardware. — Dining Room

PS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!