Family Room Makeover: From Dark and Traditional to Bright Coastal Cottage

We love a transformation that turns a dark, traditional room into a bright, breezy family space—and this summer-ready coastal look is a perfect example. Jessica teamed up with our friend Rhoda to reimagine her family room, trading dated, heavy furnishings for a fresh, cottage-inspired aesthetic. Below is her story of the renovation, the materials she used, and the practical DIY tips that delivered the final result.

We finally finished our family room makeover. I felt like I’d been working on this room forever. The previous palette was traditional and on the darker side, and the old furniture was from years ago and designed for a much smaller space, so it looked lost. I wanted to shift the room toward a cottagey, Pottery Barn–inspired style.

Once the dark paint was removed and I began adding wood planks to the walls, the room started to come alive.

For the plank detail I used 1×8 tongue-and-groove knotty pine. Installing the planks was the most time-consuming part of the project; my dad showed me how to use a nail gun and then stepped back while I finished the work. Even though it felt slow at times, that textured, shiplap-like look made a huge difference.

The planks are painted Benjamin Moore White Diamond, while the upper wall is Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue. I added a narrow two-inch shelf on top of the planks to define the separation between the plank detail and the painted wall; it’s the perfect spot for leaning framed photos and small décor pieces.

To soften the windows and reinforce the cottage vibe, I made burlap drapes. I loved the deep-pocket Pottery Barn style, but the ready-made panels were expensive. Instead, I bought 55 yards of burlap on sale for $1.99 per yard and used a 40% off coupon to create ten no-sew panels for under $130—an economical solution for five large windows.

We also invested in a new sectional sofa—found on sale at a local furniture store—and I ordered fabric for the throw pillows and the window seat (now a bench) from fabric.com. My favorite fabric is the gray Thomas Paul Dalia print, which adds subtle pattern without overwhelming the calm palette.

We now love spending time in this refreshed room—watching TV together as a family, reading, or just browsing online. A big thank-you to Rhoda from Southern Hospitality for her guidance throughout the project; her advice was invaluable.

This makeover highlights a few practical, budget-conscious tactics that can help any homeowner refresh a room: install tongue-and-groove planks for texture, choose light, neutral wall paint to brighten the space, add a slim shelf to create a visual break, and DIY window treatments to cut costs. Thoughtful fabric choices and a well-timed furniture update complete the transformation.

For the full reveal and more photos of the plank-work and finished details, read Jessica’s complete post on her blog here. What’s your favorite part of this transformation—the lighter furnishings, the soft blue wall color, the plank detail, or the homemade burlap curtains? We’d love to hear which detail inspires you.