Breathing New Life Into a Disconnected Living Room

This cozy Harrisville living room gets an upgrade.

Every designer remembers their first client—and I’m thrilled to say mine was a truly rewarding experience. The project? A living room that had all the right elements in theory—a sofa, chairs, tables—but nothing felt connected. It lacked balance and cohesion, and the warmth that makes a room feel like home. It felt visually flat and disconnected, with no clear style.

Starting with the Foundation: Layout & Balance

As with any well-designed room, we began with the layout. Before shopping for a single piece, we mapped out a plan to create visual balance and ensure the right furniture sizes for the space. Understanding flow, proportion, and how people use the room was essential to making smart, lasting choices.

The Rug That Set the Tone

With the layout in place, we needed a grounding element to guide the rest of the design—and we found it at PRG Rugs in Nashua. The rug we selected had the perfect combination of a traditional pattern and slightly muted colors with just enough personality to inspire the rest of the palette. It instantly elevated the room, providing a stylish foundation for everything to come.

Introducing Color with Purpose

Next came the anchor of the seating area: a perfectly sized blue sectional from Jordan’s Furniture. This was tricky—we needed a chaise under 60 inches to keep the sightline to the TV clear and we found it! The perfect blue color brought richness and character to the space—calm, cool, and inviting. It tied beautifully into the tones in the rug and introduced a modern touch while still feeling classic.

To complement the sofa, we found an accent chair at Boston Interiors in a burnt orange patterned fabric—a warm, eye-catching contrast to the blue. This was the turning point where the room began to come alive. That strategic mix of warm and cool tones added a much-needed sense of depth and personality. One of the clients goals was to add a feminine touch to this masculine style home and the chair played a significant role in accomplishing that.

Layering in Softness and Finishing Touches

With the major furniture pieces in place, we turned our attention to the details. The timber framed home had walls with charm but felt a bit heavy, so we softened them with natural linen curtains, bringing in texture and lightness. We’re currently in the process of updating the coffee and side tables, selecting pieces that reflect a modernized traditional style—think clean lines and warm woods. To pull it all together, we’re incorporating throw pillows that echo the rug and chair tones, adding layers of comfort and visual interest.

The Result: A Space With Heart

What began as a visually disconnected space is now a warm, welcoming living room full of depth and cohesion. By thoughtfully layering color, texture, and proportion, we transformed the room into a space that feels both curated and comfortable.

As my very first project, this transformation was especially meaningful. It reminded me that great design isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about listening to the space, understanding the client’s needs, and creating harmony between function and beauty.

-Lindsey Reis

Before & After