Small Living Room Makeover and Styling Tips

“This post is sponsored by Joybird. As always, all opinions are my own.”

This was our house 8 years ago. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight, but with some time, patience, and extra TLC, we transformed our living room into one of the most amazing spaces in our house. Today, I’m sharing how Joybird made our dream a reality with this living room makeover as well as my favorite tips for styling a small space.

Renovation-wise, we did a ton of things to create a more open and inviting space. First, we replaced all the dark wood panel walls with sheetrock and added a fresh coat of  paint.  If you have a smaller room with low ceilings, I highly recommend picking a neutral or light color as darker shades tend to make a room feel more enclosed.  Next was getting in as much natural light as possible.  To do this, we updated our window with new frames, removed the curtains, and added white blinds.

Another cosmetic update we did was giving our outdated chimney a major facelift. You can read all about that transformation here. I still can’t believe what a difference that made to our living room! If you also have a chimney in your home, it’s the perfect chance to add some character with your favorite decor pieces . Lastly, we removed a couple walls in our house and I’ll tell you what. It was completely worth the investment. If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend it! Another budget-friendly option is to partially open up a wall, which is still a great way to create more space.

Style-wise, we had to start with a clean slate. I endured this poorly styled living room for over 7 years and it drove me crazy! Everything was brown, beige, or tan-colored. I decided to do a complete 180 and go for creams, ivories, and grey tones to soften things up. First up was choosing the most important piece of furniture in our living room – the sofa.

With so many factors to consider, I started with what I knew best – choosing a reputable brand like Joybird to make high-quality made-to-order pieces to fit our lifestyle. Every piece from their brand is hand-crafted from the finest materials, skillfully crafted, and built to last a lifetime. Inspired by mid-century modern styles, their customizable options allow you to add your own personal touch to every sofa. From warm and cozy vibes to sleek and swanky vibes, the possibilities are endless.

And, because Joybird understands how overwhelming online purchases can be, they offer several services to make it easier on you. Getting paired with your own personal design consultant, requesting free swatches, and enjoying their extensive 365-Day Home Trial allows you to “test drive” your sofa for an entire year! They’ll even set up your sofa in the room/area of your choice at no additional charge.

As a family of 4, I knew comfort and functionality were a must on our list. I wanted to find something big enough to accommodate our entire family during those low-key movie nights, but also strong enough to withstand all the years of jumping, bouncing, and acrobatic moves to come from our 2 energetic kids. We set our hearts on the Holt Grand Sectional and it did not disappoint! Made with a solid wood base, sustainably sourced hardwood, and premium upholstery, this plump, oversized sectional is what dreams are made of!  I can’t tell you how many naps we’ve already taken on this couch because it’s so comfortable.  Even better, this one large piece of furniture makes our living room look huge compared to our old setup where we had 3 seating areas.  So, if you’re trying to make your living room look bigger, bigger is better!

It comes in 5 pieces which is attached by a strong hook. However, the ottoman is completely mobile and doubles as a coffee table too! Gotta love a multi-functional pieces of furniture to help with small spaces. And, should we want to add more pieces to our sectional later on, it’s completely doable. Below are 3 ways we have styled our living room since getting it. Which one is your favorite?

As for the upholstery, I stuck with a neutral colored fabric because that always help create the illusion of a bigger room. We chose Taylor Felt Grey which was recommended as one of their most popular durable fabrics for active homes and it was perfect.  Joybird also provides fabric suggestions based on tiers, popular options, pet-friendly selections, as well as safeguard fabrics.

We completely redid our media center, purchased a new rug and added lots of cream and white accessories to create an airy bright space. Another great styling tip to maximize your space is installing built-in cabinets. By creating space vertically, you are drawing the eye up which gives it the illusion of a bigger room. Adding mirrors, large paintings, see-through pieces such a glass, and hints of greenery are other great ways to brighten up a small living and make it appear larger.

I also ordered this beautifully designed Collins Armchair from Joybird for a fun pop of color. This fabric is from their Safeguard collection in the color Cody Pacific. Knowing that it’s resistant to stains and odors gives me so much peace of mind knowing our furniture can stand the test of time and my tiny tornadoes.

I hope you enjoyed seeing our living room makeover and reading about all the fun ways to style it!  It is completely possible to create the room of your dreams even in small spaces.  We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out and have Joybird to thank. They played a huge role in transforming our room into a cozy inviting space for our family and friends to enjoy for years to come. Be sure to visit their site and shop their entire collection. From sofas and chairs to tables, decor, and even bedroom furniture, you’re going to fall in love with their pieces.