Upgrade Your Builder Grade: The Front Room Cozy Home Makeover
If you’ve ever stared at a blank room wondering how to make it feel like you—this one’s for you. Our front room sat untouched for longer than I’d like to admit (a year+). It was one of those spaces that didn’t really have a purpose yet, just a collection of good intentions and a few random toys. Every home has that one space that feels a little forgotten - the one that's waiting for personality to shine through.
But lately, I’ve been craving a change — a cozy home makeover that could turn this forgotten space into a spot that actually feels lived in and loved.
This project became a reminder of one of my favorite Loonstead Living values: your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful—it just needs to feel like yours.
The Cozy Permission Slip
Let’s be honest: it’s easy to get caught up in Pinterest perfection. Perfect lighting, perfect furniture, perfect everything. But when I stood in our bare front room, I gave myself a little cozy permission slip: this makeover didn’t have to happen overnight, and it didn’t have to be flawless. It just needed to feel like us.
We’ve kept most of our home light and neutral, but this room felt like the perfect chance to play with moodier tones and cozy textures. I wanted something that felt like curling up with a book on a rainy day—warm, layered, and real.
Choosing a Direction for Our Cozy Home Makeover
The anchor for this project was a color we already loved: Cracked Pepper by Behr, part of the 2026 Color Trends Palette. It’s a rich, dark gray that’s bold but still timeless. Using a color we’d already incorporated elsewhere as an accent made the whole process feel approachable and cohesive — a great reminder that you don’t always need to start from scratch to make an impact.
From there, I layered in natural textures, soft neutrals, and a few modern elements to give the room personality. The balance between bold and calm became the heartbeat of this design. It's proof that a cozy home makeover doesn't have to mean an overload of stuff — it's about choosing pieces that make the space feel intentional and lived in.
The Small Changes That Make the Biggest Difference
When you’re staring at an empty room, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. But as I always remind myself (and you): one small change can make your whole home feel brand new.
Here are a few of the pieces that I'm considering that will make a big impact in our front room:
- Beige Loveseat – We plan to tuck this under the window to create a soft, neutral base. It will brighten up the moody walls and makes the room feel balanced.
- Tall Bookcases – Flanking the loveseat with bookcases will give the room instant balance and a built-in feel (without the built-in work). They also add much-needed storage for books, baskets, and decor.
- Moody Rug – A grounding piece that ties the color palette together, layering depth and texture underfoot.
- Round Coffee Table – I loved the idea of a round coffee table for both style and practicality — its soft edges are kid-friendly, while the texture can keeps things warm.
- Console Table – A sleek backdrop piece that works for styling lamps, art, or seasonal decor. Or to store the kids' toys.
- Accent Chair – I absolutely love a fun accent chair — an eye-catching shape and fabric that makes the whole room feel less predictable.
The Options: Finding the Right Cozy Balance
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Once the mood board and staple pieces were in place, I pulled together three design mockups to see how everything would come together. Each version had the same foundation - our favorite dark paint, layered rugs, beige loveseat, and a mix of wood tones - but told a slightly different story.
Front Room I
This room leans into quiet drama with deep green curtains, a black arched cabinet, and a plush cream sofa that softens the palette. Layered textures—from the patterned rug to the rounded coffee table—create a space that feels grounded, introspective, and quietly elegant.
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Front Room II
A warm, heritage-inspired space where wood tones and soft neutrals meet in timeless harmony. The arched cabinet, grooved coffee table, and ornate rug evoke a sense of collected calm — perfect for slow mornings and meaningful gatherings.
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Front Room III
This design blends forest tones and vintage charm, anchored by a black sideboard and a tall bookshelf that feels like a curated library. The cream sofa and muted rug soften the mood, while the green armchair adds depth and a touch of storytelling.
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Designing these mockups reminded me that every cozy home makeover looks a little different - what matters most is how the space feels when you walk in.
Bonus: All of these are linked from some of my favorite affordable retailers like Walmart and Wayfair, because creating a beautiful space shouldn’t require a designer budget.
Our Choice: Setting the Foundation for Cozy
After living with the options for a bit (and doing a fun poll online with my followers), we landed on Front Room I. It felt like the perfect blend of moody and cozy - structured but comfortable, elevated but not overly polished.
The beige loveseat under the window lightens up the darker tones, while the twin bookcases flanking it will create symmetry and purpose. A round coffee table adds a family-friendly touch, and the console table behind the seating area keeps things versatile for styling.
Even though this cozy home makeover is still in progress, it really feels more intentional. The space has a sense of story now - one that fits our family and our real, lived-in rhythm.
We'll be sharing the full reveal soon, but for now, this stage feels like the calm before the cozy. The kind of in-between where potential starts to meet reality. And honestly? That's one of my favorite parts of any project.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links in our posts are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase — at no additional cost to you. We only share products and partners that align with our values of intentional living, nature-rooted design, and everyday beauty. Every recommendation is made with care, and helps support the work we do to bring soulful transformation to your home.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Tori Williamson
Tori is the founder and creative director of Loonstead Living, where she designs nature-rooted home goods inspired by motherhood, lake stillness, and the quiet magic of everyday life. As a mom of two, she understands the beauty and chaos of family living and creates products that bring warmth, intention, and a sense of calm to the spaces we call home.