rearranging the living room furniture

Sometimes a good furniture rearranging is all you need to make a room feel fresh.

Our living room is our everyday hang out space, where we watch tv and read books and our main entertaining spot when friends come over.  It is open to the kitchen with a wall of windows (that looks out onto our tiny backyard and neighbors you could practically touch – but we’re not talking about that) and has a vaulted ceiling which gives it a big, airy feel.

This room is a little tricky for furniture placement since there are no walls, but I keep trying to switch it up just to make our same stuff feel different.

So the other day, with Ryan at work, two of the kids at my parent’s house and the others occupied upstairs, I played furniture rearranging for an hour or so.

I’m not great at visualizing a space; I really need to see things in place to figure out if it works or not. That’s the great thing about rearranging what you already have – you just move it around until you find a spot where it works.

The couch was previously along the window wall, with the tufted chairs opposite and the thrift store leather (vinyl?) chair facing the fireplace. That setup worked fine (probably better than any other), but its been that way for months and I was ready for a change.

Now the sofa faces the fireplace with the tufted chairs flanking it. We’ve had the room this way before, too, so it really isn’t all that original. The only thing we haven’t tried before is that thrifted chair under the window.

I like the placement this way for now. It feels cozy and open and different.

And the best part is that all it took was some shifting of furniture to freshen up the room.

Are you a perpetual re-arranger? Or do you feel bored of your same old room? Maybe try switching things up a bit for an hour and see what other arrangement you can make!

TUFTED LINEN SOFA: Yes, I still love it. Yes, it has held up really well. Yes, it will stain if you spill on it, so we just keep the kids in the kitchen with food. I am a big fan of the tight back and cushy down-filled cushions.

TUFTED SIDE CHAIRS: These were the first pieces of new furniture we bought for our house over 9 years ago. Classic style, comfortable, quality construction and fabric (I chose a mohair-look-alike in a taupy color).

WOOL RUG: Great color, very soft, hides dirt, love the texture it adds. BUT it sheds so much. So, so much. Even after a year. I would still buy it because it is a great price and looks great, but I’m slightly tired of the fuzz balls it creates.

INDUSTRIAL COFFEE TABLE: This one is from Wisteria years ago. It’s super heavy and I love the casters. This one is similar.

METAL SIDE TABLE: A great deal for a sturdy, but delicate side table.

WHITE FLOOR LAMP: Go ahead and get one or two or three of these for your house. They come in the floor lamp style, a desk lamp or sconces (which I have in my office). The cord is the best part.

PUMPKIN PAINTING: I painted this white pumpkin a few years ago on a canvas and pull it out each fall. You can order a canvas reprint for your house too! Comes in three sizes.

WOOD VASE: The natural warm wood color and modern texture of this vase is just so good. It is not water, safe, so either use faux branches or just wrap a clipping in a baggie filled with water.

BLACK + WHITE BLANKET: This wool blanket is such a classic and will work for any season. It was a splurge for me, but so worth it.

MONGOLIAN FAUX FUR PILLOW: Fluffy and fun and full of texture. And cheap.

BLACK GEOMETRIC PILLOW: I wasn’t in the market for a new pillow, but I couldn’t help myself with this one.

LEATHER PILLOW: I was in the market for a leather pillow. I’ve been eying these for forever and finally found one on ebay for a steal. It is soft and perfect. I wish it was a chair.

METALLIC GEOMETRIC PILLOWS: Again, so many pillows in my life. I just really love switching them out each season. It gives a whole new look to an otherwise neutral room.

BASKET: For corralling books and magazines and remotes and coasters, this basket tray is great for the coffee table.

WHITE CHUNKY KNIT THROW: More texture with a chunky knit throw.