A Style Makeover for a Plain Living Area
Interior designer Claudine Medina used the right colors and pieces to liven up the stark space

It’s one thing to have a lovely living area and another to have a space where guests can feel at home. As a special place where many of us welcome and entertain visitors, the living area needs to be inviting, comfortable, and spacious. In this home, the owners have the space, but the living area is too plain.
To give it a new look, they asked interior designer Claudine Medina to style the area, with the designer’s previously completed project as inspiration. In her post on Instagram, Claudine shared that she took into consideration the color scheme and overall ambiance of the project the owners liked.
The before-and-after photos below are definitely inspiring. By simply rearranging the furniture, bringing in the right furnishings, and adding a few décor pieces, she was able to create a space that will wow guests.
Before
Prior to the makeover, the living area looked uninviting—with just a sofa and an open space in the middle.
After
To give the area warmth, Claudine added furnishings and accent chairs. “One of their requests was to retain the existing gray sofa, which is actually a sectional but we decided to split up the panels so we have two separate sofas,” explained Claudine.
The interior designer also added matching green accent chairs that complement the colors of the pillows sprucing up the sofa. These colors give the living area a warm, tropical-inspired vibe. Completing the look is the easy-to-maintain and affordable carpet that anchors the space.
Find similar pieces at Our Home.
Before
Floor-to-ceiling windows are gifts in any space as these let in plenty of natural light. To highlight the windows while still keeping the living area comfy, the interior designer dressed it up with sheer white curtains.
After
“To diffuse the harsh direct sunlight and add privacy inside the house without completely blocking natural light, we used sheer curtains in ripple fold for that softer, cozier look,” Claudine shares.
A striking potted plant can polish off the new look you’re going for. A lovely Fiddle-Leaf Fig brightens up the corner of the living area, complementing the rest of the pieces used in the space.
Find a similar plant at Tierra Plants.
Ready for your own makeover? Get in touch with interior designer Claudine Medina through email at claudine[at]interiorsbyclaudine.com.
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Have you recently spruced up your room or renovated your home? We'd definitely love to see the result! Send clear photos (with your full name, city address, and accompanying kuwento) to [email protected] with the subject "DIY Makeover" and we may just feature your DIY project!