Stepping into our family room feels like revisiting an old friend we haven’t seen in far too long. It’s hard to believe it’s been over a year since we last shared our update on hanging the monumental chandelier. Time truly flies when you’re creating a home that functions beautifully from day one. This grand, multi-purpose space was envisioned to cater to a diverse array of needs, a vision that has remarkably held true since we first moved in. From a cozy movie sanctuary and a sprawling lounge for reading or relaxation to a dedicated office/workspace for us and a vibrant arts & crafts hub for the children, complete with integrated storage for their masterpieces and our extensive collection of board games and work documents – this room was designed to do it all. It was a tall order, but its generous dimensions made it possible. We immediately identified the ideal spot for the TV, a crucial starting point given the abundance of large windows that frame the rest of the room, leaving only one perfect wall for our entertainment needs.
This strategic placement naturally carved out a wonderfully cozy TV zone on one side of the room, defining the primary entertainment area.
The remaining half of this expansive room seamlessly transformed into a dynamic office and art studio, serving both our professional needs and the boundless creativity of our children. This functional division has proven incredibly effective, making the most of every square foot.
Remarkably, photographs rarely capture the true scale of this room. Almost every visitor who has seen images online or via text messages exclaims that it’s “twice as big” in person. To help you visualize, the rug under the sofa is a substantial 8 x 10 feet! This room stretches approximately 25 feet long and 16 feet wide – truly an expansive area designed for comfort and utility.
This entire additional area, dedicated to our work and creative endeavors, occupies the other half of the room. Notice the vast floor space; an additional 8×10 foot rug could comfortably fit here without even touching the one in the TV zone. It underscores the incredible potential for various functional zones within this single, versatile living space.
If you turn around with your back to the sofa, you’re looking directly at the office and art side of the room – a hub of productivity and imagination.
This remarkable transformation truly highlights how far this view has come since we purchased the house in February 2020. The journey from its initial state to the bright, functional space it is today is significant.
And here’s a crucial ‘before’ glimpse of the long wall. We adored the existing wood paneling, but the mildew issues along the top edge demanded immediate attention. When we acquired this house, it had been abandoned for four years and lacked a functional HVAC system, or even working water (not even a flushable toilet!). This meant we had to tackle numerous leaks, mold, and soggy drywall problems as part of our extensive renovation before we could even dream of moving in. You can delve deeper into the initial state of the house and our renovation progress here and here.
Today, this side of the room presents a stark contrast. It’s completely cleaned up, with no sign of the fuzzy growth that once plagued the top edge where the wood paneling met the ceiling. All the damp, damaged drywall required replacement, but miraculously, the beautiful wood paneling only needed a thorough scrubbing – no moisture had collected behind it, preventing further mold growth, which felt like a small triumph in itself!
Thanks to three recent, significant enhancements, this room has elevated its storage capacity and overall efficiency even further. Let’s explore these updates, delve into more photos, and even a video walkthrough that also offers a glimpse of our firepit area and the brand-new kitchen deck!
Update #1: Repurposing Kitchen Bookshelves into Family Room Storage
Our journey to optimized storage often involves creative repurposing. We initially utilized these two large bookcases (IKEA Fjalkinge bookshelves with add-on drawers) in the kitchen, serving as a makeshift pantry until we installed a dedicated one. Our triumphant kitchen pantry update, which significantly boosted storage, provided deeper drawers, a discreet spot for the microwave, and a cabinet above the fridge, can be explored here. Moving these versatile bookshelves upstairs has dramatically expanded our office storage, a true game-changer! When combined with the IKEA Besta console in the TV area (which meticulously houses all our board games, photo albums, and cherished sentimental items), this spacious room now boasts an abundance of practical, organized storage – a design element we absolutely adore.
These bookshelves are perfectly scaled for the room and fit snugly between the windows on the long wall, replacing smaller items that previously occupied those spaces (which you can see in this earlier post). The integrated drawers are ideal for our work papers, receipts, and tax documents, while simultaneously providing convenient storage for the kids’ art supplies and their countless creations. If you’re curious about how we constructed their durable and budget-friendly double desk using IKEA components and some metal legs bought online, you can find the detailed tutorial here.
Update #2: The Odyssey to Whole-House Central Air
One of the most significant and challenging updates was finally integrating our entire home into a single, central HVAC system. When we purchased the house in February 2020, there was no functional HVAC whatsoever. Our initial inspections and discussions with contractors suggested a straightforward repair of ducting and replacement of components would provide efficient heating and cooling to all six rooms of our 1400 square foot home. How optimistically naive we were!
The semi-short (but still quite long) version of the story is this: during demolition, about a month into the renovation, our contractor informed us that a critical load-bearing header in the ceiling blocked the necessary path for the ducting to reach both our bedroom and this family room. Cutting this header would compromise the house’s structural integrity, meaning we lacked a clear, safe channel for an efficient central air system to every room.
Undeterred, we sought three different HVAC opinions. All recommended either installing a soffit stretching across the kitchen’s sitting area (or reinstating the large L-shaped soffit we had just demoed, visible in the ‘before’ photo above). This soffit would create the necessary pathway for ducts to our bedroom and upstairs. However, we were strongly against infringing on our 8-foot downstairs ceilings with a bulky soffit. All three professionals offered the same alternative: bypass the soffit and use two mini-splits for the bedroom and family room instead.
The mini-split recommendation for the family room was particularly surprising, as three old, skinny HVAC ducts already existed leading up to this space (two visible in the ‘before’ image below), albeit attached to the defunct system. While we initially hoped to simply repair them, every HVAC expert confirmed that given the load-bearing header blocking the path to the bedroom, and the inadequacy of the existing narrow ducting for this room, mini-splits were the pragmatic solution if we wanted to avoid the soffit.
So, we opted for mini-splits in the bedroom and family room. The other four rooms of the house remained on central air, as it was relatively easy to route ducts to them after replacing non-functional components and rerouting some existing ducts (for instance, in our kids’ rooms, where we vaulted the ceilings, we moved their ducts from the drop ceiling into the walls). And that, my friends, is how we found ourselves with three distinct heating and cooling systems in a modest 1400 square foot, six-room house.
While the mini-splits were quiet and initially efficient, we soon encountered issues with humidity. They were apparently oversized for our home, causing them to cycle down and shut off frequently, leading to constant dripping, persistent musty odors, and a frustrating inability for towels to dry in our bedroom (while they dried perfectly in the other central-air-equipped bedrooms).
Then came the breakthrough. Reviewing an old photo from when our house was gutted for new drywall, the ‘load-bearing’ header we were told about didn’t look load-bearing at all. We consulted a different contractor, who, after his structural engineer’s assessment, confirmed our suspicion. Even better, we discovered a generously sized ceiling channel that could accommodate standard-sized ducts leading directly into the family room! No more skinny ducts, no need for a downstairs soffit, and no more mini-splits!
So, yes, we paid to install brand new mini-splits only to remove them 1.5 years later and replace them with central air. This involved removing and replacing a significant section of drywall in the kitchen ceiling below this family room. Such is the unpredictable nature of home renovation! We embrace the learning curve, even when it involves backtracking.
Thankfully, we managed to sell the mini-splits back to the HVAC company itself! The lead technician wanted them for personal use, as they were in high demand and on backorder, and he knew how meticulously we’d cared for them during their frequent service calls to address the leak and humidity issues. After the sale, the total cost for this comprehensive HVAC upgrade came in at under $1,000, including the professional drywall repair in the kitchen ceiling (a job we wisely outsourced for a flawless finish, as overhead patches are notoriously tricky). We’re thrilled to report that both the bedroom and living room are now far more comfortable. Their temperatures, once inconsistent with the rest of the house, are now perfectly synchronized. This house now runs like a well-oiled machine! And as an added bonus, towels finally dry on the hooks behind our bedroom door. It’s the little victories that make all the effort worthwhile.
For anyone embarking on a home renovation, remember that curveballs are almost inevitable. Whether you find yourself redoing something, changing direction, or pivoting months (or even years) later, don’t be too hard on yourself. Home improvement is an ongoing process of learning and adapting to new information. Celebrate every victory, no matter how long it takes to achieve. While we would have loved to have installed central air from the outset, better late than never, right?
Regarding our mini-split experience, we don’t inherently oppose them, especially when correctly sized. Our humidity and dripping issues were largely due to an oversized system that frequently cycled off. However, for a 1400 square foot house with six rooms, operating one central air system feels significantly better than juggling two mini-splits and an external fan. The reduction in maintenance and service calls has been a huge relief. The key takeaway: trust your HVAC professional. We found an expert with over 25 years of experience who, after intimately understanding our house through numerous service calls, confidently assured us this central air approach would be successful.
You might notice the new upstairs vents aren’t very prominent in these photos. One is subtly placed at the base of the TV cabinet, visible in the background of the image above. The other is on the wall by the stairs; if the photo below extended a bit further to the left, you’d spot it within the wainscoting. I’m currently on the hunt for prettier vent covers and will share my findings on Instagram Stories soon!
Update #3: Repositioning the Desk with Clever Faux Legs
Our third update involves a smart modification to this desk, a beloved piece we’ve owned for an impressive 15 years (since before we were married!). We removed its original legs and ingeniously constructed small faux legs at the back. This subtle change allowed us to scoot the desk back an additional seven inches, tucking it neatly into the windowsill. The result is extra clearance and a cleaner, more integrated look.
This adjustment also brings the desk’s depth more in line with the bookshelves that flank it, creating a more cohesive and visually pleasing arrangement within the space.
If you’re in the market for a timeless Parson’s desk that truly withstands the test of time, look no further than this one. We’ve cherished it for a decade and a half because of its incredible flexibility; it can adapt to almost any room or purpose (which is why we saved the original legs – who knows where it will end up next!). For those wondering, our desk chair is light, solid, and its wood tone beautifully complements our floors.
Speaking of enduring, versatile pieces, these Fjalkinge bookshelves from IKEA are truly the greatest of all time (GOAT). Their adaptability is unmatched: they can elegantly display plates, cups, and cookbooks in a kitchen, organize crafting supplies and office essentials in a dedicated room, or beautifully style books and decor in any living space. They embody the essence of smart, flexible home design.
Furthermore, we advocate for placing desks in front of windows more often. Our instinct initially led us to position the desk between the windows, but moving it directly in front now offers a far superior view – looking out into the world rather than at a narrow sliver of wall (you can compare the old placement here). It significantly enhances the workspace experience, bringing in natural light and inspiration.
For fellow plant enthusiasts, this room is a haven of light, and our plants absolutely thrive here. We highly recommend adding one of these vibrant neon pothos to cascade off any bookshelf in your home. While they don’t demand excessive light, they truly flourish in bright conditions, adding a lush, lively touch to the decor.
Here’s a unique perspective you likely haven’t seen often, captured while I gracefully (and not at all awkwardly) limboed over the stair balcony for this shot.
And here we have our much-traveled Quirk cup, a sentimental keepsake that journeyed with us from Richmond. While it may just be a paper cup, it holds a special place in our hearts. Its distinctive pink hue completely inspired the exterior color of our own pink house, influenced by John’s sister Carrie holding it at a Christmas party years ago. It’s a cherished item for us, two very sentimental non-coffee-drinkers.
After more than three years of ownership, our verdict on our sofa remains unequivocally positive: we absolutely love it. It’s incredibly comfortable, maintains its aesthetic appeal, and feels wonderfully inviting. We haven’t even needed to use our furniture shaver for any pilling, which speaks volumes about its durability. It has held up exceptionally well, even with two children who enjoy watching TV upside down on it, and a beloved dog who once made temporary pillow dents his part-time job. On another note, we often wish this unique woven mirror were still available; we believe we originally found it at Pottery Barn Kids some time ago.
The scale of our chandelier is another element that photos struggle to capture accurately. At times, it appears larger than the desk (it isn’t), and from other angles, it might look like a tiny bowling ball. In reality, its grand size perfectly complements the room’s expansive dimensions. Positioned more than a foot above John’s head (he’s 6 feet tall), there’s no risk of anyone bumping into it, making it both a striking focal point and a functional lighting fixture.
And yes, that’s our beloved air purifier nestled in the corner, now sporting its stylish gray cover, which blends into the decor far more seamlessly than its previous black counterpart. We frequently receive questions about where we keep mundane items like trash cans. In this room, the woven basket tucked under the chair to the right of the kids’ desk serves as our discreet trash bin. As you might imagine, it quickly fills with countless paper cuttings, snack bags, and band-aids each week!
This particular angle is one we don’t often showcase, so here you go! That elegant white console table once graced our previous house’s dining room, and its drawer is now meticulously organized with spare light bulbs and extension cords – a designated spot that John insists upon! Also, in the “wish they still sold them” category, these stylish leather ottomans from Target (acquired about four years ago) are another beloved item we adore and hope they’ll bring back.
Before we conclude this tour, I’ve put together a quick video walkthrough of the room while it was freshly tidied (John’s parents visited last week!). A video, I believe, conveys more than ten thousand words and photos combined. For the most immersive feel of this space, simply press play. It’s concise and without narration, allowing you to watch it on mute if you’re at work, without missing a single detail.
Note: You can also view this video here on YouTube.
And with that, our tour of the family room, after a year and a half of living here, comes to an end. Compared to rooms like our kitchen or bedroom, this space has seen remarkably fewer changes since we initially furnished it. It’s intriguing how some rooms evolve dramatically while others remain largely consistent. I suspect, in this case, the early decision to clearly define one side as the office/art area and the other as the cozy family room and movie spot simply worked perfectly from the start. Plus, having that one ideal wall for the TV certainly simplified things!
It’s fascinating to ponder how this versatile space might evolve over many years. For instance, when we become empty-nesters, will the kids’ art desk area transform into something entirely new? Or will we preserve it for future grandchildren? Perhaps it will even become my dedicated jazzercise studio!
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