*We updated this post to add extra photos and a short video, so if something looks unfamiliar from when you first read it, that’s why. You’re not imagining things.
We first shared this space three weeks after we moved in and now we’re back with a six-month update. As before, we have long-term plans for this room, so this is just how it looks right now. (Pro tip: photograph rooms as they change — it’s fun to compare over time.)
Since that early post we made several inexpensive updates that have made the room feel much more comfortable and useful for our family. First we completed a handful of quick changes, then we painted the cabinets, and we also reorganized storage to work with our much smaller kitchen.
We still plan to fully renovate the kitchen eventually, but our updates mean there’s no rush. We prefer to live in a space for a while before major renovations so we can figure out what works best and save up for the project. That approach has helped us get better results in the past.
You might notice some rearranging in the photo above: we moved a bookshelf and centered the table a bit more. We also scored some fantastic secondhand appliances—a matching suite of Café appliances—for a steal, including a counter-depth fridge that’s arriving soon. The new stove alone has me legitimately excited.
We’ve never had such nice appliances before, and the whole set was only $500 secondhand (fridge pending). They’re in great condition and have improved both aesthetics and function — the dishwasher is noticeably quieter. For comparison, here’s how the appliances looked shortly after we moved in:
We moved one of our Ikea bookshelves toward the kitchen to open up the sitting area and give the table a more central position. We were careful to only keep the layout if it didn’t make the kitchen feel too tight — and after anchoring the shelf and rehanging art, John gave it his practical approval.
The angle in that photo makes the table look close to the fridge, but head-on there’s decent clearance:
It’s not an expansive amount of room, but it works for us. The drawers on the left (which hold tools, because that’s how we roll) are still accessible most of the time; when people sit at the table it’s a little harder to reach them, but that hasn’t been a problem.
On the other side of the room the fridge currently projects a bit into the space, but our incoming counter-depth model will pull back slightly and free up some clearance. Until then, John delights in being able to grab condiments from the fridge while seated at the table — his “go-go-gadget” arm makes him very happy.
We filmed a short walk-through video so you can get a better feel for the layout in motion — a few loops around the kitchen and sitting area are included in that clip.
Note: You can also view this video on YouTube.
Back to the seating area: this informal zone is perfect for when someone is cooking and the kids want to be nearby to read, do a puzzle, or have a snack. Moving the second shelf into the kitchen made room for a small settee, so we now genuinely have seating for four.
We also added a new coffee table with brass hardware and large hidden drawers — perfect for stashing winter accessories or tool batteries and chargers. The extra storage makes the sitting area much more functional.
The arrangement leaves a generous landing at the bottom of the stairs and in front of the front door, so traffic flow and laundry closet access are both unimpaired.
The six-drawer dresser under the window works brilliantly as an entry drop zone, holding dog bags, leashes, sunscreen, umbrellas, and other grab-and-go items. It keeps those essentials out of the way but easy to reach.
From the bedroom you can see the comfortable pathway between the settee and the coffee table into the kitchen — the layout feels open and practical while still cozy.
We expect this little zone to keep evolving — a floor lamp, larger seating, or bigger art might make sense down the line. For now, it’s comfortable, functional, and suits our family perfectly.
Many of the major pieces in this room came straight out of our moving pod in May — the Ikea shelves, the table and chairs, the sitting area chairs, the rug, the entry dresser, and most of the art and accessories. It’s been rewarding to tweak the layout and see everything come together.
To finish, here are a few before-and-after photos for comparison. This “before” shot was taken on a very rainy day and looks especially gloomy:
And here’s the same angle right now:
From the other direction, here’s a before:
And the current view — it feels good.
If you want details about renovating the bulkheads or refinishing the floors, we’ve documented those projects in other posts that outline the process. For a deeper dive, there’s also an archive that lists every change to our Florida house chronologically.
For now, I’m off to try and catch John’s ketchup-retrieving arm on video.
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