Living Room and Entry Refresh
Our living room and entry are not actually two spaces. They are one. We also have a back entry which does a better job of serving as a mudroom but it’s not as accessible when you are coming and going. Not to mention it currently doubles as a pantry. As a result, our belongings were often strewn across both places and created a messy flow for coming and going and just a mess in general.
One day in November we brought home a Christmas tree that was way too big for the window it belonged in. The tree ended up also having to live in that entry space. Cue anxiety, distress and a need to control something. I tried to move the tree twice and it fell on me… it was terrible.
And so we finally decided it was time for a living room and entry refresh. I am so happy with how the space ended up! Here is what was done and what I suggest doing differently if you' find yourself in this position.
Starting with function.
We needed this space to operate as an entry and exit. But it’s also a living room- a small one at that. As a living room, the space needs house some toys. And we also want the space to be comfortable for adults to relax post bed time. With that in mind, I knew we would need to define the rooms.
As an entry and exit, the space needs storage for some winter wear (hats & gloves), shoes for a family of five, backpacks, and a drop zone fore things like keys, mail, AirPods.
Lighting, there are no overhead lights in this space (thankfully because our others are brutal and I cannot wait to replace them). We need lighting for early winter nights and lighting that is not so abrasive that it’s uncomfortable when adults are engaging in said relaxing post bed time.
Here are some before photos of the entry and living space as it was set up before our refresh.
Figuring out function
This is where a little bit of psychology comes in. Once we decide a space needs a refresh, I’m on it. This is where my passion for creating something beautiful intersects with my drive for problem-solving. Here's how it unfolds:
Notice what’s working and what’s not working in the current set up. Consider your own family dynamics. If you have kids, assess whether the places you designate for them to put away their things are actually accessible to them. In our situation, the idea of teaching our children to enter through the back requires a level of persistence I’m not sure I have. How realistic was it to insist on this while managing a toddler and carrying armloads of groceries? Moreover, if we weren't enforcing this routine, why were we storing their shoes in the back? I observed that neither adults nor children were actually walking across the house to put their shoes away—Imagine that!
Notice your daily activities, what you find relaxing, and how the space is supporting you. Is your space and furniture setting you up to be happy and comfortable? Sorry, but we don’t play the piano. Regrettably, its presence only encouraged our children to bang on the keys rather than fostering an interest in learning to play. The piano was my idea—this really is a humbling experience. Rest assured, it went to a good home.
Consider your capacity. In this current season of life, I don't have the bandwidth for constantly nagging my children, to care for an overly styled space, or to replace a myriad of throw pillows on an hourly basis. However, a little styling and creative expression in my home makes for a smooth the transition from busy family living room to adult retreat at night. In the living room, I prefer styling with items that aren't overly precious, such as my favorite beautiful and interesting books and seasonal organic materials like foliage from outside. A bonus if something serves both beauty and functionality, like our ceramic key/mail bowl, which also doubles as a coaster at times!
Don’t be afraid to pivot. Sometimes function is figured out and then things change. Our toddler is very interested in the keys in the bowl. I’ll give it a couple weeks but if those keys remain a high interest item- they’ll need to find a new home. Since the bowl is also a coaster, it gets to stay!
