As we continue working on our family room makeover, something made me stop and think. When did this room start to feel less like an afterthought and more like a cohesive, designed space? What were the moments that made our room finally start to feel like it was coming together?
Our family room makeover has taken place over several years. Looking back, I can pinpoint a handful of moments that completely changed how the room looked, and, more importantly, how it felt.
The Many Lives of Our Family Room
Our family room has been through quite a transformation from the day we moved in to what it looks like now. When we first toured this house, the family room had wall paneling and felt extremely dated and in need of a makeover. New drywall and a fresh coat of paint made the room feel livable. We added a small sectional, a TV stand with a wall mounted TV and a couple of tables and called it good for now.
We lived with it like that for quite a few years too. Then, late summer 2022, our needs changed and this room had to change to meet those needs. We wanted a spot to workout at home so we moved the sofa into storage and added a treadmill. The space became our workout/catch all room.
Then, in late 2023, we brought our second dog Lily home and this room had to transform again. Lily had kennel cough and had to be quarantined from Rolls for a full month. So the room became our office, workout room, and a bedroom as Mike and I took turns between dogs.
We knew that eventually we wanted this room to go back to a family room. A space where we could retreat for movie night or Mike could play video games or watch sports. So during all these transitions, we planned and when we could, we slowly started to work on transforming the space.
Before Lily came home we had started to work on the bottom portion of the built-ins. In April of 2024 we were finally able to get back to this project and work on the upper portions.
Adding Semi-Custom Built-Ins
The first time this room really started to feel like a room was when we added the upper boxes. We had just installed the top portions. The shelves weren’t even in yet, and the whole piece had just a couple coats of paint. We had just finished for the day and I took a step back to examine our work.
I couldn’t believe how different the room looked but also felt. Adding the semi-custom built-ins along the whole wall was such a game changer. The room had gone from boring and plain to interesting and considered. Unable to wait until our family room makeover was complete to style the bookshelves, I grabbed a small vase and added a couple of cut flowers and placed them in the built-in.
Mike laughed and told me I’d have to move them so we could finish but I didn’t care. I snapped a picture so I could remember the moment and celebrate the progress we had made.
This was the first time we had ever attempted to build something like this. I’m so happy we went for it instead of purchasing freestanding shelves for the room. Building something that we could tailor to our specific room and its dimensions instantly elevated the space.
The base cabinets were unfinished upper kitchen cabinets we had purchased at Home Depot. Adding trim between each to get that “custom” look we were after. Then, we built three 3-sided boxes that would hold the shelves for the built-ins and the TV.
We continued to work on this project little by little when we had extra time. By early August, they were pretty much complete. I remember styling them for the first time and taking a step back to take in the space. This was the moment when this space started to feel like a real room.
For me, the built-ins did so much more than add storage. They gave the room the architectural character it had been missing. Because they were designed specifically for this space, every detail was intentional. From their proportions to the way they met the ceiling. That intentionality is what makes them feel like they belong, not like something that was added after the fact. They gave the room a focal point, grounded the space, and became the foundation for everything else that followed.
Updating the Base Moulding and Trim
The trim had a similar effect. It’s one of those details that’s easy to overlook because it isn’t usually the first thing people notice when they walk into a room. But when the profiles and proportions are thoughtfully chosen for the style of the home, it quietly changes how the space feels. It frames the architecture, gives the room a more finished look, and makes everything feel intentional.
I think it’s one of those details many people don’t realize matters until they see it done well. You don’t need fully custom millwork to create that feeling either. What matters isn’t that every piece is custom. It’s that the finished result feels like it belongs in the room. Once those thoughtful architectural details are in place, it’s hard to imagine the space without them.
We’ve added new base moulding, and crown where it makes sense, to most of the rooms we have worked on in our home. We’ve even trimmed out some of the case openings between rooms where there was none before. To me, trim is such a powerful and easy way to elevate a space and add your personal style.
Setting the Mood With Paint
The next big decision I needed to make was what to paint the walls. The built-ins were already painted Secret Garden by Sherwin Williams which is a deep earthy moody green. Did I want to continue that color on to the walls or paint them in a lighter creamier color?
At the end of 2024, I had finally made a decision on the wall color. I wanted to continue the color we used on the built-ins to the walls as well.
And, wow, was that transformative.
This room gets sunlight in the morning and early afternoon but in the evenings is when this space truly shines. I remember we’d finished painting the walls that day and I was headed to let the dogs outside that evening. The overhead lights were off but a couple of lamps were on in the room. As I stood there at dusk, waiting for the dogs to finish up, I looked around the room. It felt velvety if that makes any sense. Like the coziest, softest blanket had just wrapped itself around me. Creating this cozy cocoon I just wanted to sink into.
The small lamp tucked into the bookcase gave off just enough light that you could make out some of the items on the shelves near it. While other pieces disappeared into the dark corners only to be found when studied a bit longer.
The other lamp sat in the corner by the window. It cast a warm pool of light that pulled me in. I sat down in our vintage leather recliner and just took in the space for a moment. Seeing the space at night, with the built-ins styled with our things, and that deep dark green covering each surface, I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like we were finally getting close to the moody, cozy room of our dreams.
It was no longer just some random room. This was a deeply considered room that felt more finished even without any furniture in it. We were drawn to that room and wanted to spent time in it now. We still needed to finish painting trim, add shoe moulding, and finish building the new stair. But this didn’t stop us from enjoying the space and using it on the regular.
What’s Next For Our Family Room Makeover
I honestly think we could put just about anything back here when it comes to furniture and this room would still feel amazing. The built-ins have such a presence and the deep green creates such a mood that they are doing most of the work in the room. This year, though, we have taken another step forward in refining this space.
We are about 90% of the way there when it comes to paint and moulding. But we’ve also found some key pieces that have added function to the space.
An antique pine cabinet purchased through a husband and wife team in Michigan was an additional storage piece we learned we wanted after living with the space. We need a place for coats, shoes, and all the dogs things.
And while we thought we found the perfect sofa, we ended up pivoting last minute. We sourced a bigger, deeper sofa for this room that works even better for how we’ll use the space.
Having these key pieces in place as we get ready to head into fall has me so excited for the new season. Even more than I usually am. I can’t wait to see Mike using this space. Watching a football game, playing a video game, or just relaxing after work.
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