I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if your living room is giving tired, mismatched, or “meh”… it might be time for a refresh. Not a little fluff and a scented candle. I mean full-blown, pull-it-apart-and-start-over vibes. And that’s exactly what I did.
What started as “I should do something with that TV wall” turned into a full living room makeover—with new furniture, a 9-piece photo collage, and yes, an olive tree that made me question if I’m now a plant person. Spoiler: I am.
The TV Wall That Started It All (Literally)
This glow-up wasn’t just a design choice—it started with a hammer and a decision.
I had to tear out the electric fireplace and mantle to expand my son’s room. Once that wall was down, it opened up a whole new layout opportunity. I realized I could move the TV to the much bigger wall, completely rethinking the flow of the space.
That move changed everything.
I’ve got a Samsung Frame TV (yes, the one that looks like art when it’s off), so now when you walk in the front door, it’s one of the first things you see—and it actually feels intentional. Like, “oh this person has taste,” not “they shoved a screen where it fit.”
Design meets function, and it’s finally working for me.
Lake Erie (Sort Of)
You might notice the piece of driftwood sitting on the shelf below the TV. Funny story—I’ve never even been to Lake Erie.
I spotted it during a visit to my dad’s house. It was just laying around, looking all perfect and sculptural. So I casually (and repeatedly) mentioned how obsessed I was with it. You know, just enough comments to make it very clear it would look better in my house than in his garage.
Sure enough, by the time I was loading up to head home, it was already tucked into the back of my vehicle.
Yes, I’m 37 years old and still out here taking stuff from my parents. Some things never change—and thankfully, neither does driftwood.
The shelf itself—and the full TV wall it lives on—is a whole DIY project of its own. I’ll be sharing that build in a separate post soon, because trust me… it deserves its own moment.
The 9-Frame Gallery Wall (a.k.a. My New Favorite Thing)
I’ve always loved a good symmetrical grid, and this one hits just right. A 3×3 layout using matted weathered frames created a high-impact moment above the oversized chair. It’s clean, dramatic, and makes every photo look professionally printed—even if it was taken on a cracked iPhone and printed on the cheapest possible paper at home!
The matted frames are the secret sauce. Trust me on this one.
The Couch Chronicles (Because Yes, I Replaced It… Again)
This was couch number two within just a few years, and let me explain why—because this was not just a “because I wanted to” situation.
My living room has what I like to call a chaotic layout. There’s a giant window on one side and a constant flow of traffic running straight through it, thanks to the entry at the opposite side that leads to my boys’ rooms. It’s not exactly a cozy nook—it’s more like a design puzzle with elbows and backpacks flying through it.
My first solution? I bought a modular sofa set so I could configure it to the weird shape of the room. Great idea in theory… until I realized it was the most uncomfortable furniture on the planet. No one sat in there. My family literally avoided the living room like it was cursed.
So, round two.
I replaced it with something much more modern and low-profile—clean lines, soft fabric, and a neutral tone that didn’t compete with everything else going on in the space. It was still cozy enough for Sunday naps, but stylish enough that I wouldn’t cringe every time I looked at it.
Most importantly: it worked. The room finally feels like a place we can all hang out again.
Olive Tree Energy 🌿
I swore I didn’t need one. I was not going to give in to the overdone olive tree trend. It felt like one of those Pinterest things everyone has and no one questions. But after Ava’s surprise bedroom makeover (read about it here), I couldn’t not have one. It just made sense.
Now that it’s here? I’m fully converted. The faux olive tree softens the room, fills that awkward corner like it was custom designed for it, and brings in that warm, designer-magazine vibe without trying too hard.
Plus, it never dies. And that’s exactly the kind of plant energy I can commit to.
Before Pics Coming in Hot
There’s something wildly satisfying about seeing the before photos that show the fireplace and the old couch. What used to feel like a mismatched mashup now feels intentional, cozy, and so me.
What I Love About This Refresh:
- It was budget-friendly but made a huge impact
- Nothing permanent—just layered styling and thoughtful swaps
- It blends clean design with cozy textures
- It finally feels like a space I want to be in, all day every day
Oh—and the Art?
If you’re wondering about that textured art moment above the couch, yep… I made that too.
It’s part of the full living room glow-up, and honestly? One of my favorite DIYs to date. I used plywood, spackle, and flat black paint to create this big, bold, three-piece set—and it looks like it came straight out of a designer showroom.
👉 Check out the full DIY Textured Wall Art tutorial here
It’s budget-friendly, wildly satisfying to make, and absolutely worth the mess.
Want to Steal the Look?
Here’s a roundup of the key pieces (yes, with affiliate links because a girl’s gotta eat):
🖼 9-Pack Matted Frames
🌿 Olive Tree That Completed the Room
If your space feels stale, change it. Rearrange it. Add a tree. Hang a gallery wall. Toss the couch that makes you cringe.
You don’t need permission to make your home feel amazing. You just need a free afternoon, a little vision, and maybe some spackle.
This space makeover made you double-tap in real life?
Share it! Pin it, post it, text it to your group chat of home-decor-obsessed humans. Sharing this post helps my blog grow and keeps the DIY projects flowing—and I seriously appreciate it.
