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Family Room Makeover Plans for the One Room Challenge

white sofa and accessories for family room makeover

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Hello, friends! I’m excited to announce that I’ve decided to join the spring One Room Challenge as a guest participant! I’ll be spending the next 6 weeks giving our family room a fresh new look and I can’t wait! It won’t be a total gut job, but there will be new furniture pieces and several small projects that will make a huge difference in here. 

The goal is to lighten and freshen the space. We spend a ton of time in here and it’s time for the darkness to be driven out, lol. Here’s how the room has looked for the past several years. All of these photos are from 2012 and 2013, so it’s definitely time for something fresh in here. Plus some of the furniture is just worn out.

I know I just shared plans for the living room, but this room has gotten bumped ahead of that one. I’ll get to that one eventually!

I don’t know what I was thinking when I painted these bookcases dark. I saw something like it in a magazine and knew as soon as I finished the project that it was too dark. That was 7 years ago!

I’ve wanted to repaint it for a couple of years and shared some of my favorite styling ideas here → bookcase styling ideas

Another eyesore that will be updated is the 1960’s green counter top on the bar area. It’s currently being used as a makeshift desk. I’ll be giving it a simple makeover and will share the tutorial next week. You can see it in the photo below, along with how the room looked when we visited the house before buying it in 2006. The paneling is still here but has been painted (see my tutorial here → How to paint paneling like a pro.)

I’ve done the best I can in here with just changing out the decor. This is how it looked last fall.

Here’s what I have planned for this room. With a few changes it will look very different in here.

New Furniture

We’ll be adding some new furniture. The black recliners and ottoman will be going away and the sofa that’s currently in here will be moved into the living room. 

New Accessories

New pillows and a new throw blanket are planned for the sofa. And I’ll be changing the decor in the bookcases and mantel. I have a new “vintage” sign ordered for the room also. You can see it in the mood board at the bottom of the post.

Paint Projects

The bookcases will probably be the biggest paint project because I’m not totally certain that I’m going to change the wall color in here.

It’s a huge project and I’ll just have to see how my back is doing (and my motiviation, lol). Plus it’s already a nice neutral and is in great shape.

I also plan to paint these areas:

  • The media console underneath the television
  • The hutch in the home office corner.
  • Probably the mantel and black marble fireplace surround. 

I’m so tired of all of the dark elements in here.

Inspiration

Here are some of my inspiration photos.

This built-in is almost identical in style to ours. I love the way it’s styled with a mix of artwork, accessories, and books. I’m hoping ours will resemble this when I finished the makeover. See more of this bookcase HERE.

Me and Jilly

I love the cottage-y styling of this built-in bookcase. I’ll probably have some similar accessories.

Country Living

The fireplace are will be getting some type of update. I love the look of this and might try to recreate something like it for the mantel.

Nancy Fishelson

The sofa will be a light neutral that I can use any color pillows with.

Pottery Barn

Rustic & Woven

And here’s the plan for the room. I’m sure it will be tweaked a little from what you see here. I haven’t finalized all of the accessories so watch to see how it ends up.

white sectional sofa and accessories for a family room redo

Click for sources

Paisley Pillow Cover // Blue Pillow Cover // Stonewashed throw blanket // 

Macrame pillow cover // Ikat blue pillow cover // Sectional // wallpaper sign // 

foyer table // media console // lamps

Paint colors:

Benjamim Moore Pismo Dunes, Soft Chamois, Winter Lake, & Philipsburg Blue.

Stay tuned for tutorials and updates over the next few weeks. And be sure to check out all of the other projects that are part of the One Room Challenge HERE.One Room Challenge

Update!

Related:

Our guest bedroom was given a makeover as part of the One Room Challenge here → Modern Farmhouse Bedroom Makeover.

See my recent, very low budget entry makeover with here → Entry Makeover with Botanical Fern Prints. You can get your own set of printables for free too!

And you can see how I used mostly things from my stash and gave my studio/craft room a makeover for less than $100 here → Craft Room Makeover

Thanks for dropping by!

13 Comments

    1. Thanks Paula! I've already started with some of the changes and it's looking better already. It was definitely time! Have a great day. ~ Angie

  1. Love your space already and the plan is fantastic. Would love to have a sectional like the one you chose! We are both going for the light and airy family room….I'm thinking "Great Minds"….right? LOL….

    1. Thanks friend! We've researched and agonized over our sofa but feel comfortable (pun intended) with our choice. Yes, great minds think alike! Can't wait to see your finished space!

  2. Hi Angie! I'm really chomping at the bit (yep, I'm a Texan) to see how you redo your family room! I've loved every single project you've shared. Can you come tackle my ranch house? LOL

    1. Hi! Thank you! I'm anxious to be done with it. Let me know if you need ideas for your ranch house. There's a lot you can do with them!

  3. The colors in your inspiration photo are so tranquil feeling. I think painting the bookcases will make a world of difference and I can't wait to see the finished space!

  4. Angie,
    I adore your plans for the One Room Challenge!
    I'll be following you through each post
    as our Family Room is on the lower level and I can truly use some inspiration!
    I love your inspirational mantle!
    Thank you for always inspiring!
    Pat

  5. Angie I love the pretty color pallet you have selected for your project it will be very impactful in your space.

  6. How exciting! Can't wait to see the progress. And love the collage you created at the top; totally need to know what you used to make it;)

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