So … the living room. In the old house it was painted red and turquoise, and I absolutely loved it. The space was narrow and long, with the entryway opening directly into the room, which made furniture placement a bit of a puzzle. I worked with what I had and made the layout function, but now I’m planning a fresh approach for a new home and a cleaner, more neutral palette.
I didn’t want to mount the TV above the mantel, yet I still wanted the mantel to read as a focal point when seated on the sofa. The solution I used before worked well and created a cozy, lived-in living room that I enjoyed. This time, though, I’m planning some changes in scale, color, and function to make the room more practical and long-lasting.
Yes, these photos were taken at Christmastime, which explains some of the seasonal decor. The mantel was dressed for the holidays, but the layout and furniture choices are what I want to focus on as I plan this next living room update.
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| Realtor photo |
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I’m planning to remove almost everything currently in the room. I’ll be selling the red sofa — an IKEA Ektorp couch — which has served well but is showing wear (and lumps) after years of use. For the next space I want a more durable, neutral foundation: I’m considering the Pottery Barn Basic slipcovered sofa collection. It’s an investment, but the slipcovers are washable and the pieces are built to last. I expect to choose both a larger sofa and a coordinating loveseat so the seating feels balanced and comfortable for everyday family life.
Right now the area rug is a brown-red style from Home Depot that fit the old color scheme. I’m moving toward a calmer, more neutral rug so the overall look reads softer and provides a versatile backdrop for accent colors. Neutral rugs tend to anchor a room and allow seasonal pillows and accessories to add color rather than committing to bold, permanent upholstery.
The television currently sits on a low TV stand — the Avington stand from Target — which has been a beautiful piece but too low for our needs. With a curious toddler who can reach the DVD player and nudges buttons, a taller, more secure media cabinet or buffet-style console is a safer option. I’m leaning toward a taller buffet or a substantial media-sideboard that keeps electronics out of small hands while adding storage and presence to that big wall.
My plan is to keep the largest pieces neutral—sofas, rug, and case goods—then introduce color and personality with pillows, throw blankets, artwork, and accessories. This approach makes future updates easier and more budget-friendly. A neutral sofa is a practical choice for family life, and colorful accents let me change the mood of the room without replacing major furniture (hint: avoid committing to a bright red sofa unless you’re certain you’ll keep that palette long-term).
I still need to source two accent chairs and choose window treatments. Curtains can dramatically change the perceived scale and warmth of a room, so I’m taking time to find the right fabric, length, and hardware that complement the neutral base and create a finished, polished look.
Below is the view from the front door as shown in the online listing when we bought the house:
The TV will go on the right wall, with the larger sofa facing it and the loveseat positioned so its back faces the front door. Two chairs will sit in front of the fireplace, creating a cozy conversation area. I’d love to flank the TV buffet with two bookcases for symmetry and storage, but I’m mindful of scale—this wall is large and needs substantial furniture to feel balanced.
Here’s the room as it looks today, still full of potential and a little work to do:
There’s plenty to be done, and I’ll share progress as I bring in new pieces and make changes. I’ve already started by updating the mantel; more on that soon. For those following along, I’ll post a full living room reveal when everything is in place, plus a separate update showing a navy-themed living room I completed in another home.