Den Decorating Ideas
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First of all, let me say that I am no decorator. Not even close. But I am learning what I like and allowing myself to step outside my comfort zone and try some things that may or may not work. Or maybe discover something new to create a beautiful home amidst the craziness of life. I hope these den decorating ideas will inspire you!
Our family room/den makeover actually began last December. I know. I know. That’s been eight months. We’ve been enjoying it all this time and now I want to share it with you!
Our den before was an eclectic mix of hand me downs and hodge podge belongings. We had way too much in this room, and as we weeded out and moved things around the room began to take shape.
There are many things we’ve done to this room, but our favorite has been the replacement of our 20-year-old carpet with Pergo flooring. I’ll write more about this later, but I have longed for this for years. Our poor carpet had been through five kids, three dogs and numerous cats. It was just plain worn out.
Doesn’t it look amazing? My husband and youngest son did a terrific job of installing the flooring. We also changed the color of the room from the mint green to more of a chocolate brown.
We moved furniture around, bought a new sectional (only our second purchased sofa set in 25 years) and recliner, and my husband built a beautiful rustic table from fence posts.
One of my favorite projects ever, I designed a family gallery wall with white frames, black and white pictures and vinyl lettering.
Here’s a before picture of the wall. (And yes, we did this project during the Christmas season last year. Ugh.
Here’s the after. You’ll want to read this post to find out how we worked on this wall together as a family.
Our entertainment center and shelving was made of pressboard and falling apart so my husband searched Craigslist and until he found this solid wood (and heavy) entertainment center for $100. The only little glitch is that our TV doesn’t sit flush in the unit so we have it angled to fit. (Moral of this story: don’t let the person you’re buying from measure the unit. Bring your own measuring tape and do it yourself!)
As a homeschooler and book lover we have a lot of books, but I managed to clean out our materials and get rid of one large bookshelf.
Who knew window treatments would be so difficult to decide on? My hubby found these at Lowe’s, a perfect accessory for the room. (He’s kinda frightening me with his “feminine side.” He actually has very good taste and more decorating sense than me.)
I used a little cafe curtain in a solid red for the back door.
This room was truly a labor of love, from flooring to paint to furniture to the special features that make our home unique. I won’t even begin to tell you how Tim and I got the sectional through the back door (which may have included hoisting it up over the back fence. Oy.) It was a process of going through one decision at a time and watching the room develop into a place we love to hang out and enjoy our family.
***For those who have asked about the paint color: it is Behr Interior Satin Enamel Paint and Primer (brand) in Sherwin Williams #6095 Toasty (color). The couch is from Klaussner Furniture, and no, we didn’t pay anywhere near real retail price. It was a showroom sample, one of a kind purchase. We had decided to buy a sectional but with a different configuration. When we saw this one we had to totally refigure the room but are so thrilled that we did!
Still want to see more of our DIY projects? Click on the picture to go directly to the post!
Oh my goodness, this turned out fantastic! You can come do my family room! I love the red color you used and the Family gallery wall is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing at Creative Thursday this week. Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
It looks so cozy and inviting!!! I love the sofa. For being a sectional it doesn’t look overly large. We have a smaller family room and I have had my eye out for something smaller. Where did you get it or what brand is it? Absolutely love your photo wall too!!! Nice job!!!
You have done a wonderful job. It looks amazing…
Visiting from the style sisters. I’m Pat from my blog, Topiary Rose.
Please come over and make my house beautiful! 🙂
Hi! I love everything about your room! Please tell us the paint color on the walls & where you got your red sofa – I’ve been looking for one & I love yours!
I remember your lovely photo wall, but the rest of the room looks great as well. I’m sure you enjoy this room more with this look and feel. Thanks for sharing the make-over. It’s always fun to see. Gail (BibleLoveNotes.com)
Wow what a transformation! I love your red sofa…I have one in my basement and I just love it! Thanks for linking up to centerpiece Wednesday! Make sure you put the link back to us.
Karin
OMYGOSH, woman…what a FANTASTIC job you have done on this room. It is just beautiful. I am so in love with the photo wall, I don’t know what to do. I love your beautiful sectional…the floor is to die for…I love your curtains..DANG !!….I just love every bit of it.
Great job to all of you….
xo bj
It looks amazing! Great transformation 🙂
Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla
WOW what a beautiful transformation! Love your gallery wall!
Hi Marty,
Your room is really lovely and so inviting and I really love your gallery wall, very nice! Very homey and beautiful…………..
Blessings, Nellie
WOW Marty!! What a transformation! LOVE your curtains and the sectional! WOW!
Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
I love your den, especially the red sofa. I’ve always been a sucker for red. Thanks so much for stopping by Posed Perfection last week and leaving me the sweet note. Hope you’ll visit again soon. Have a wonderful week.
Blessings,
Nici
Looks comfy, love the hardwood floors ~
Stopped in from Southern Lovely’s Show and Tell.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
I love your red sofa and your gallery wall of family pictures, and your paint color( I’m not even fond of brown shades) and it still looks great to me. Your family’s hard work has really paid off.
Wow, it all looks great! And that red couch fits right in without being overwhelming or anything. You guys did a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
I love this you have done a fantastic job! This is my first visit to your blog and it won’t be the last! The thing I absolutely appreciate the most is this is a real everyday family’s room. You have the recliner! Something that I have to incorporate in my home as well. My husband lets me do what I want as long as the chair and tv stays! lol While I enjoy reading the blogs with the big huge rooms and huge decorating budgets I don’t have that plus I have kids. Rooms that can’t be used isn’t an option here! It’s just so nice and so refreshing to see a beautiful room featured in a real life setting. Bravo!!! Oh and I am totally copy catting your family wall! – Cindy
Congratulations! You’ve been featured on Handyman, Crafty Woman’s Wicked Awesome Wednesday! Please feel free to stop by the website and pick up your button!
Wow great job! It looks so warm and welcoming now! I love your color palette you chose!
-Peggy
Your family room is lovely!! Love everything you’ve done and your picture wall is a great idea! Sounds like you have a pretty handy hubby too!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
This is gorgeous! You did a wonderful job! Love that wall with the words and frames!
I’m no decorating expert either, but it is a hobby of mine and I have to say that you did a great job! It’s easy to be impressed by people who spend thousands upon thousands of dollars. but what I’m most impressed by are people who spend a reasonable amount and still come out with a pretty fantastic space. And, really, the only thing that matters is that your family enjoy it!
http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com
It looks absolutely fabulous. What a difference. It is so fun to compare the before and after pictures. You made some great choices.
What an Amazing Makeover! Love the colors and especially your gallery wall. I pinned it!
Marty this is FABULOUS!! Don’t mention that you’re not a decorator…no one would ever know!!
This is such a lovely, cozy room. And the gallery wall is incredible! Great job. Love the colors too.
Wow, what a beautiful transformation! It looks great. I think you are more of a decorator than you give yourself credit for.
LOVE this transformation!! the photographer is pretty good too. and you should go to the conference, it would be good for you. but staying with you know who, not so sure about that. 🙁
Awww, shucks. Still working on that photography piece.
Love the transformation, Marty, and I love the gallery wall. I’m actually going to be doing a post soon about gallery walls and I’d love to use yours as an example, I love the incorporation of vinyl. Would that be OK if I use your photo in my post?
Also, hope you’re able to come to the Southern Bloggers Conference in Raleigh Oct. 12-13.
And please tell Rachel hello from her old News & Record teen page editor!
Thanks, Amy. That would be fine to use the post. And it’s funny. Rachel and I were talking recently about her homeschooling and what had benefitted her the most. She remembered the transcription she did for you and said she was the fastest in her office and her boss doesn’t send anything out without him proofreading it first! So thank you for giving her that opportunity!
I haven’t decided about the blogging conference, although my brother lives in Raleigh and I could stay with him. Take care!
It looks amazing! I love your family wall.