Real Room Reveal: A Lawyer’s Budget Living Room Makeover with Spacejoy

Our customer is a dedicated attorney who recently remodeled her 1974 home with brighter floors, warmer overhead lighting, and Classic Gray walls. While the remodel brought in the light, it also brought in a challenge: her living room suddenly felt cold, sparse, and unfinished.

She told us, "This space just feels sterile now. I want it to be cozy and comfortable—not hoity-toity—because my clients know I’m no-frills."

With two desks in the back and plans to use the front as a sitting area for family and clients, she needed a space that looked professional yet lived-in, polished yet warm, and most importantly—comfortable and inviting.

The Challenge: Multi-Function Meets Mid-Century

This living room had a lot riding on it:

• It needed to function as a home office and client sitting area.

• It had to be comfortable enough for family visits, including her young grandson.

• It had to complement the fresh remodel while softening the coldness left behind.

• And most importantly—it all needed to work within a flexible budget.

The Vision: Cozy, Functional, and Timeless

That’s where Spacejoy designer Sarah Nelson came in—and she totally got it. Her first instinct?

"We wanted to make this room feel warm and welcoming without overwhelming it. That meant layering cozy textures, introducing strategic lighting, adding organic materials—and keeping the palette calm with just the right amount of color."

Sarah preserved key pieces like the customer’s 7-foot-long sofa and beloved desks, and built a transitional mid-century inspired layout around them using handpicked pieces from Spacejoy’s exclusive collections.

The Solution: Smart Styling with Spacejoy's Expertise

Let’s break down how this living room makeover on a budget turned out so well:

Furniture That Anchors

• Two caramel accent chairs warm up the space and face the couch to create a symmetrical, inviting sitting area.

• The coffee table in natural wood grain adds organic texture and balances the more tailored sofa.

• Every piece is functional but still full of personality.

Thoughtful Art & Decor

• A pair of nautical sailboat prints fills the once-blank wall with serene movement and subtle blues.

• A wooden ladder with a throw softens the space with charm and dimension.

• Accessories like the modern vases and textured pillows add depth and warmth—without visual clutter.

Cozy Lighting

• Instead of sterile overhead light alone, Sarah brought in a sculptural black and cream table lamp to enhance mood and elevate the ambiance—without being fussy.

Window Treatments (Still in Progress!)

The customer had recently trimmed the windows and wanted something sleek—like rolling blinds—but remained open to drapes. Sarah kept things flexible in the design, layering in warmth through textiles and rugs first.

Before & After: A Space That Feels Like Home

Before : 

After : 

The result? A budget-conscious living room makeover that’s both beautiful and deeply functional. This room now:

• Reflects the homeowner’s personality and lifestyle

• Balances modern and traditional elements

• Welcomes clients with comfort and class

• Is finally a space she wants to work in

“It’s perfect. I love how cozy it feels now. Sarah really understood my style, and everything just makes sense. This space doesn’t feel sterile anymore—it feels like me.”

 

Why This Makeover Worked: The Spacejoy Difference

At Spacejoy, we believe every room should feel like you. Whether you’re designing for clients, grandkids, or just everyday life—we meet you where you are, and help you fall in love with your home again.

Looking for your own living room makeover on a budget?

Start your Spacejoy design journey today. Our expert designers will work with your style, space, and budget to create a personalized room that works hard and looks amazing.

All furniture and décor in this room are available through Spacejoy’s curated collections.
Work with your own designer to get the exact look—or make it your own.

Want a space that feels like you—cozy, stylish, and totally functional? Head to Spacejoy.com and take our quick style quiz to get started. Our expert designers will create a personalized room design just for you—in as little as 7 days!