See how I transformed my dingy farmhouse living room into a bright and airy space with paint, plants, and a new rug!
Before we dive into the after, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Our farmhouse living room had been a thorn in my side for far too long. The once-trendy Venetian plaster and heavy faux finishes had aged into a dingy, outdated look. It was time for a change!
The bones were always there and it’s not like it was terrible. But there was A LOT going on between the inlay wood floor, textured ceiling, and Venetian plaster.
The room felt a little dark and gloomy, and the heavy textures made it feel even smaller. I knew it had the potential to be a bright, airy, and inviting space, but it needed some serious TLC.
Wait until you see how bright, beautiful, and GREEN it looks now! (To see more of my home and what it looked like when we first moved in, check out this home tour.)
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The Farmhouse Living Room Transformation Begins
Given we had other spaces to deal with in our new home that had these heavy, dark, and outdated finishes, we opted to keep this one for a few years and work with it as is. I really wasn’t sure how much or how little I wanted to paint over the high-finish, hand-painted details in this space so we waited to do anything about it.
Instead, I opted to work with what it had. I bought this beautiful area rug (that I still love by the way) and went with more neutral decor to counteract the dark finishes. As you can see, it’s better than it was, but I knew it had greater potential.
I also bought those two beautiful vintage prints that added some floral wall decor and pulled the space together with my decor and plants.
Because I never really loved my throw pillows in here, I decided to go all in with a classic and polished look. I wound up investing in a mix-and-match look so they’d seamlessly work in any given season. On their face, they seem a bit more costly than buying pillows from say, Target. But when you continually buy seasonal pillows, it adds up! So to me, these were worth it.
Taking the Plunge: Painting My Farmhouse Living Room
In fall 2024, we decided to hire a professional painter to tackle the challenging Venetian plaster and textured faux finish on the ceiling. It was a big job, but well worth it. We chose Benjamin Moore Linen White for both the walls and trim, creating a clean and classic look.
Quick little backstory. When the painter got started my husband had a business trip in New Orleans. And while he was there, started panicking about painting over the Venetian plaster. Cause once it is gone, it is gone.
It took a bit for me to convince him it will all be OK there was no turning back now but for a minute there, I thought to myself, ‘Oh boy.’ LOL!
To add warmth and texture to the space, I incorporated more of my houseplants. This room gets a lot of south and west-facing light so tropical plants are pretty happy in here. Because the air can get pretty dry in here with my fireplace and heat during winter, I supplement the humidity with this humidifier that can almost double as decor in the space.
As much as I loved my area rug, I swapped it out for a new area rug that is more classic, green, and aesthetic that my farmhouse living room craved. I love this same area rug in my front entry hall and decided to bring the same pattern to my living room. And I kept my classic, mix-and-match throw pillows to add a touch of color and personality.
The Final Reveal: My Rustic Elegant Farmhouse Living Room
I’m so thrilled with the final result! The room is now bright, airy, and inviting. It’s the perfect space to relax, unwind, and entertain.
My farmhouse living room is still a work in progress as I want to add some pieces and artwork for the walls, but I love where it is going and have no regrets painting over the Venetian plaster and textured, faux finish ceiling.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t be afraid to hire a professional: If you’re tackling a challenging project, it’s worth investing in professional help.
- The power of paint: A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a space.
- Embrace natural light: Without heavy curtains, you can maximize the natural light in any space.
- Add greenery: Houseplants can add life and color to any space.
- Make it your own: Don’t be afraid to make your home your own. Just because someone before you spent a lot of money creating a space does not mean you have to keep it.
Final Thoughts About This Before and After Farmhouse Living Room Makeover
I hope this post inspires you to take on your own home improvement projects. Remember, even small changes can make a big impact!
Thank you for visiting the blog today!
Enjoy your day! xo
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