Living Room Switch up

Hello! Hope you’re having a good week. Today, I’m taking a break from the playroom to get back to my roots: Using what we have to freshen up a space. As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again. It’s a big part of my heart for the blog.  I love to encourage readers and friends and anyone to use what they’ve got. It’s the easiest, cheapest way to feel like you’re in a new room. So, last Saturday morning, while being kid free and sitting on the sofa with hot coffee, I decided it was time to switch around the living room…..

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

…what? Not everyone rearranges furniture at 7:30 on a Saturday morning? News. To. Me. Anyway, our living room has been arranged the same since we got our sectional sofa about 5 years ago. There aren’t many options for places that things can move and I’ve tried before and it never really worked out. The chaise part of the sofa was on the near side of the living room with a favorite wicker chair I thrifted on the far side. My mom is waiting for me to give it to her, by the way.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.
As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

Another thing that probably only I ever noticed / cared about was that the sofa didn’t line up straight with the TV. This is a picture from Christmas, I realize, but I wanted you to see what I mean. See how the green table and the sofa are so far off center of the tv?

Ok, so back to May…at 7:30 in the morning. I tried one more time to move the chaise to the other side. I moved the sofa closer to the back wall realizing we didn’t need the white metal table and the black wicker table over there.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

I switched the wicker chair for the green one that was by my desk. It’s a little bit smaller scale which I think works better in the spot I wanted it. Added some color with my sweet granny square blanket.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

At first I thought I might need to find a small table for the little wall. The yarn wall hanging (you can read about how to make them here) was too small scale for there so I moved it into the entry way and traded it for the art work that I repainted last year. (see the before and process here)

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

I love it so much but really never saw it in the entry way because it was on the wall opposite the mirror. It’s a great shape and size for this wall and looks really happy with our plant babies.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

Another added bonus: the room is more symmetrical now. Or in line? Balanced? You see what I mean. The sofa and sofa table are closer to being directly in front of the tv. That makes my brain happy.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

You can read a really old post (like, my 2nd ever) about the always changing gallery wall here. Actually, hold on while I get sidetracked, this is my 101st post. I can’t believe it. I’m so thankful for this little thing that’s mine. I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had and the connections I’ve made. Thank you to those who read and comment here and on Instagram. God is so good. OK, thank you. Back to the room.

This is where the wicker chair ended up. Mom, sorry, it’s not yours yet. Side note on that. I thrifted it for $20. I painted the arms and feet green. And I’ve recovered the cushion about 3 or 4 times. See? Reuse what you already have and alter it when you want.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

You can find a tutorial on the shibori dyed pillow here.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

A couple weeks ago I moved around artwork in the from room and can you see the wall hanging on the tiny wall of my desk? That’s where the wood art was before. It makes me so happy to see it more now.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

I’m so happy with the changes I made. It wasn’t much but I swear it feels more cozy in here now. I’m not really even sure why.

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

Moral of the story; don’t be afraid to move things around in your home. Worst case? It doesn’t work and you move it back. I guess worst case would be something breaks…..like the actual piece of furniture or one of your actual bones… but you get my point. ; )

As fun as it is to get new stuff and build a room from scratch, it is my absolute favorite thing to use what I have, and make it new again.

Do you like to switch things around in your home? Is there some rearranging that you might be inspired to try? It makes me happy to hear.

If you’re interested in anything you’ve seen, click on the affiliate images below to shop the room:

Thanks for reading, friends!

Sharing at:

2 thoughts on “Living Room Switch up

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: