Shoshana, a reader who lives in Sydney, Australia, wrote in asking for help with her family den/ lounge space. In her words her style is “colorful, eclectic and artfully mismatched”; but her space doesn’t totally reflect that, so she’s ready for a room refresh! However, her room makeover budget is small, so she’s struggling with where to start and what to do.
She wants to replace the recliner, but she really needs the futon to stay because this rooms doubles as a guest room. The area rug currently in place was brought in specifically to hide the brown carpet, which she doesn’t like but can’t change, however she’s not crazy about the area rug either.
Let’s Start With a Plan
Regardless of what your budget is, it’s always a good idea to start with a design plan. Even if you’re just wanting to refresh a space rather than taking on a complete overhaul, beginning with a roadmap will always lead you down a good path. It will help you to prioritize every line item of your budget and keep your spending laser focused. When you know what you need you won’t be swayed into buying something just because it’s on sale. Creating a design plan is a lot like writing up a grocery list.
The precursor to every design plan I put together always involves purging and ridding the space of anything and everything you no longer want in the space. It’s a little exercise out of the Marie Kondo handbook of living, and it truly is helpful! Often times the things you don’t like, but don’t think you can afford to replace, become stumbling blocks when you’re decorating, making it really hard to have a clear vision for your space. I understand that budgets can be prohibitive. But patience always pays off. In this case, the area rug serves a great purpose in covering the brown carpet that isn’t replaceable, but if it’s not something Shoshana really loves she should take it out of the space and wait to find “the one”. It’s just never a good idea to decorate around something that doesn’t really fit your style or that you don’t really love.
An area rug can really set the tone for the design and style of a space, and because it’s not a “necessary” item in a space like say having a place to sit down, you can afford to have some patience with this particular element.
Once all the things that as Kondo says “don’t bring you joy” are removed, you’re ready to create a design plan or a vision board for the space.
Playing off of the great collection of artwork Shoshana already has and keeping in mind that the futon is something she wants to keep in the space, I created a plan that feels lively and collected but still pulled together.
- First up, because she’s already mentioned she’s not crazy about the rug she has now and because a rug is a great jumping off point for a design plan, I sourced a new rug for this space. It’s crazy inexpensive and brings an eclectic, vintage vibe to the room. She clearly likes red, a woman after my own heart!, so I found one that incorporates a lot of the colors in the great artwork she already has.
- To lighten the heaviness of the futon and inject some pattern in the space, I recommend layering a quilt (this one’s reversible!) over the futon. Bonus? She’ll already have bedding in place when guests come to stay! The blue color will bring out the beautiful blues in the artwork. And will also balance the red tones in the space. I’d opt for a quilt or something heavier than a blanket so it will have some weight and not get all wrinkled up when people are sitting on the futon. Instead of a lot of throw pillows, I’d go for one long lumbar (possibly two depending on size). In a small space it’s nice to create interest with a few bold pieces rather than a lot of little accessories. *I personally struggle with editing my own spaces because I just love ALL THE THINGS. But honestly, one of the easiest ways to refresh a space is by simply removing a few things. That way you can really appreciate the things you do have in your space rather than being overwhelmed with all the stuff.
- Speaking of the artwork, it’s hung a bit too high. I’d recommend moving the clock and red floral piece to the gallery wall over the sofa and then playing with the arrangement to move it down a little bit. *As a general rule of thumb: Art should be hung about 6 to 8 inches above a sofa. (I’ll be sharing more gallery wall tips in a blog post this coming Friday!) Leaving the wall the blank, where the clock and red floral piece are currently hanging, will give the eye a nice place to rest. Blank walls are not bad things!
- I’d ditch the fabric covered side table and move the trunk side table to the other side of the sofa. Then bring in a wood table which will balance and coordinate with the wooden blinds. Right now the wooden blinds stand out and feel a little out of place because there’s nothing else in the space that coordinates with them. By introducing some similar wood tones in other pieces in the space they will look more like an intentional design element.
- I love an “artfully mismatched” look just as much as Shoshana! Although having some similar elements in a space does help to add a sense of calmness, so I’d swap the lamps that are currently in place for a set of matching all white lamps. These lamps have some great details! *As a general guideline for eclectic spaces: If you’re going with mismatched side tables, opt for matching lamps or go with matching side tables and mismatched lamps. Although there are always exceptions to every rule!
- Replacing the recliner with a smaller more modern looking chair will lighten this area by the window. Adding a blue lumbar pillow will tie in with the blue quilt and provide some nice back support for comfort. She can always bring in a small stool or round pouf if she wants a place for people to prop up their feet.
- Last but not least cleaning up the area by the chair and bringing in a small round black side table will finish off the area by the window nicely. I think surface space is great, but it provides an opportunity for clutter to collect. A smaller side table will be visually less busy yet still provide enough surface space to set down a drink or a popcorn bowl.
Rounding Out the Budget Details
The total for this plan is $611.13. Yes, I know! This is not a small amount, BUT this does not all have to be spent at one time. AND this is more of a game plan – giving her some ideas of what and how to make changes in this space. So she can source a blue quilt that is less expensive than the option I pulled for this plan or maybe she already has one. She can hit up consignment shops and yard sales to find similar items to the ones I’ve laid out here. Just the other day, I saw lamps in this exact shape at my local Goodwill that could easily be spray painted white to create a similar look.
lamps, side table, blue pillow, chair, black side table, blue quilt, striped pillow, rug
In addition to coming up with a game plan, I think it’s a good idea to note which elements of your plan are priorities. I’d personally say the rug and the quilt are the two pieces I’d buy first. The recliner can be removed and bringing in a new chair to replace it can wait for a bit,since the futon is already providing a place to sit down. Next I’d say would be the lamps as I do think having an element of similarity will ground the whole room and really bring the overall look together.
So what are your thoughts? Do you have any ideas to share with Shoshana?
Thank you Shoshana for sharing your design dilemma! I hope this plan will help you create a space your family will love lounging in all the time!
Design Dilemma?
Do you have a design dilemma you’d like to see featured here on the blog? Or in my next GuruHub.tv episode? Leave a comment here with your design question or tag me on social media with #FifthHouseDesignDilemma or #GuruHub. My email is always open too! Shoot me a line anytime! ~> Carmel@ourfifthouse.com.
This is great! I love how you explained each piece and why you chose it for the space. Your design dilemma features are a favorite of mine!