When I first set eyes on this living room, it had all the right ingredients—great natural light, a decent layout and a few charming pieces of furniture—but the vibe? Felt kind of cold. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t singing with personality, warmth or functionality. For a busy young family juggling kids, life and needing a space to relax and connect, this living room just didn’t keep up. And that’s where I came in—with fresh eyes, a well-worn tape measure and a head full of living room interior design ideas.

Before

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As with every full-service interior design project, we kicked things off with my signature deep-dive process. Think: client design surveys, lifestyle questionnaires, Pinterest boards full of plush sofas and timeless textures and conversations about all the things that weren’t working. (Too-small sofa? Check. Lack of color? Check. Disjointed furniture for storage? You bet.)

I analyzed their floor plan, studied the existing layout and pinpointed what needed to change to make this living room feel intentional—not just livable. Spoiler: It involved a lot more than fluffing pillows.

Armed with research and inspiration, I curated design boards that clearly mapped out a new vision for the space. These weren’t just pretty pictures—they were strategic tools showing how everything from paint colors to lighting fixtures to furniture layouts would create a cohesive, elevated design. My goal? A refined, family-friendly living room that looked like a magazine spread but functioned like a well-oiled machine.

I selected living room furniture that could handle real life—think stain-resistant upholstery, kid-friendly finishes and coffee tables that say “I'm sculptural and safe.” Timeless design was a priority, but so was comfort. From custom throw pillows to classic area rugs and thoughtfully chosen accent chairs, every piece pulled its weight in style and practicality.

Once the design plan got the green light, I rolled up my (very chic) sleeves and got to work sourcing, tracking and managing all the moving parts that come with furnishing a living room from top to bottom. That’s the glamorous part they don’t show on HGTV—logistics, backorders, vendor delays and making sure every single piece arrives on time and intact for installation day.

But the payoff? Worth it.

By the time install day arrived, the space felt like it had always belonged to them. It was warm, lived-in, layered and—dare I say—gasp-worthy. The new living room now reflects the family’s lifestyle and personality, serving as a cozy hub for everything from morning coffee to spontaneous dance parties.

This project was a perfect example of what great residential interior design can do: take a cold, disconnected space and turn it into a soulful, highly functional room that feels both elevated and inviting.

Because let’s be real—your living room should work as hard as you do.

After