An Easy Makeover + Living Room Updates

This year I promised myself I would take things easy when it came to blogging. It kind of came naturally after Cora was born, and life now moves a bit slower. For someone with a high need to get a lot of things done in a day, this was hard for me. But I’m welcoming the pace, the days with her, and the time I get to think about being more intentional with life in general.

One way I’m doing this is in our home of course. In the living room particularly, to feed my desire to do something new in the space that’s been relatively unchanged since we moved in almost 5 years ago.

We did get a new couch and loveseat early on, I made an ottoman, redid a dresser for storage, customized some curtains, and recently painted these gorgeous bookshelves. But what’s really bothering me is the paint color.

I never really loved it. There’s not much personality to the color and I’d like to repaint the space soon. Not to mention it doesn’t read well on camera. Sometimes it doesn’t even look like a color at all. You might be wondering

Is there paint on those walls?

The tan color needs an update, so do the tan pillows and tan wall art.

The wall color is Creamy Mushroom by Behr, which I wrote about here along with the rest of our home’s colors. You can see the most recent living room tour here, but I’d like to do what I call ” an easy makeover” and change things in the space one by one.

I already started with the rug. Shaw Flooring was kind enough to support the bloggers at the Haven Conference and some of us got to sample a rug for our homes. I chose this gray and white pattern, which instantly added a lively look to the floor. Previously we had a plain gray rug, which has since moved to the master bedroom. The room definitely needs some pattern.

Once I pick out a paint color, get some new art for the walls, maybe redo the curtains, and make new pillows, I’ll call it enough of a makeover to make me happy. I think we might even mount the TV to the wall.  Have you done that? I’d like to hear opinions on how to do it!

This is what I call my no stress approach to a new look and my tips for An Easy Makeover:

1. Select items for your home that you love – Rarely do these get acquired at once. Who has the budget? Enjoy the time spent with each new piece in your home.
2. Take some risks – Pop in a pillow in a bold pattern you might not normally choose. I bet you’ll love it. I’m all about taking risks this year, why not!
3. Do what you can, when you can – These days it’s the little things that make a big difference. Any small task accomplished is still something to be proud of. So you pick out a fabric one day and don’t get to those pillows until next week. No problem, they’re not going anywhere!

Unlike the makeovers you see on TV that happen in 48 hours, this one might take a little longer. But if I get to be happier with my decisions, create a new space I love and snuggle with my baby (who is sleeping on me as we type), I’ll take it. Stay tuned for more easy makeovers ideas and updates in the living room.

Did you ever consider doing an easy makeover?