A modern family room showcases a white brick fireplace with a stack of logs, complemented by a gray sectional sofa and patterned cushions. A tripod floor lamp stands beside a glass coffee table, while framed art and a potted plant reveal the charm on a wooden shelf.
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Casual Modern Family Room Reveal

ByLisa
12 Comments

Guess what today is?! It’s the final reveal of our Casual Modern Family Room Makeover for the One Room Challenge!!! I am so grateful to all of you who have followed along since week one, cheered me on, and sent words of encouragement and who made sure I didn’t get murdered! Another huge thanks goes out to the folks at the One Room Challenge and Better Homes and Gardens who make this all possible. If you missed my progress so far, like the DIY Cable Railing, How I Almost Got Murdered Over Paint, my MCM Furniture Glow Up, or the Modern Wet Bar with Floating Shelf, start with those first. Are you ready to check it out?

A modern family room features a gray sectional sofa with patterned pillows. A shelf with framed art above complements the space, while a cozy fireplace adorned with stacked logs and potted plants adds warmth. Text reads: "Modern Family Room Reveal.This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my policies.

Before I overload you with ALL the photos, let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? When we first moved into our beloved 70s house, the family room looked like this. 

Family Room BeforeA room with a brick fireplace, wooden paneling, and beige walls. There is a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a ceiling fan with lights. A small alcove with a built-in wooden cabinet and sink, surrounded by beige walls and a dark brown trim. The area is lit by a ceiling light, casting shadows on the wall and carpeted floor. Interior of a home featuring a split-level layout. The lower area has beige carpet and walls, with a ceiling fan. Steps lead to a kitchen with wood cabinetry and recessed lighting. A sliding glass door is visible on the right, and a man stands near it.

Not exactly inviting, huh? But I saw TONS of potential! Over the years we made many changes and when we started this project six weeks ago, this is what the room looked like.A cozy, modern living room with high ceilings and wooden beams. A wall-mounted TV is above the fireplace, complementing the brown leather chairs surrounding a dark coffee table. The beige sofa and decorative shelves add warmth to this casually elegant space, perfect for a stylish makeover. A modern living room with high, beamed ceilings and wooden floors boasts a casual elegance. It includes tan leather sofas, a patterned rug, and a black ottoman with decor. A ceiling fan spins above as natural light streams through the sliding glass door. Shelving and art complete the makeover.

Casual Modern Family Room After 

The family room was definitely much better than when we first moved in, but it still felt like there was un-tapped potential. So what did we do? First, we tore down the half wall between the kitchen and the family room and replaced it with a DIY Cable Railing. This was a GAME CHANGER!A modern family room with a vaulted ceiling features exposed beams, a ceiling fan, and a fireplace. The space includes a gray sectional sofa, coffee table, and large windows with curtains, revealing a bright and spacious atmosphere.The modern family room showcases a gray couch with geometric pillows, complemented by a glass coffee table adorned with a large ceramic vase and greenery. A decorative black object on a wooden base adds flair, while the background reveals a chic dining area with a sleek black table and chairs.A before-and-after family room transformation. The "before" image shows a cozy space with a bookshelf and decor. The "after" reveal presents a modern, open design with a sleek sideboard and metallic accents. Text reads "Before" and "After" with arrows.

Then, we painted the brick fireplace, not once, not twice, but three times! This is how I almost got murdered. Good news though, the six weeks is up and I will not be appearing on my own episode of Unsolved Mysteries.A cozy family room reveals a white brick fireplace adorned with circular wooden logs. A gray couch with patterned cushions sits nearby, while a modern floor lamp and green potted plant add warmth to the space.A modern family room featuring high ceilings, a large TV on a black accent wall, and a sleek white fireplace. The decor reveals a wooden mantel, geometric patterned rug, and glass coffee table. Indoor plants and framed pictures add greenery and style.Before and after images of a family room makeover reveal a stunning transformation. The "before" shows a traditional fireplace with a large TV and leather sofa, while the "after" unveils a modern electric fireplace with logs, updated furniture, and light decor elements.

Week four we tackled some furniture glow ups, including my vintage tool chest and a new credenza. Both now have a fresh mid century vibe and play off the new additions of brass to the room.A cozy corner in a modern family room features a brown leather chair with a striped throw pillow. A white and brown drawer unit is beside it, topped with a small potted plant. A large window and patterned curtain serve as the backdrop, with green ferns revealing natural charm in the foreground. The modern interior showcases a wooden sideboard with white panel doors, perfectly blending style and function. Decor includes a potted plant, a wooden house ornament, and a metal bowl with pinecones. Beyond the reveal of the railing lies an elevated dining area with a circular table and chairs.

In week five, we addressed the wet bar in the family room. It got a major overhaul with a slatted accent wall, a floating shelf, new paint and a modern light. These days, this little bar gets a lot of use! Because 2020.

A small home bar nook with white cabinetry, a marble countertop, and a chrome faucet is revealed in the family room. A decorative "wine" sign, plants, and bottles are displayed on a shelf against a dark navy wall. A modern pendant light hangs overhead.

This past week I wrapped up all the finishing touches, including new curtains! For years I had short, squatty, seven foot curtains, when the vaulted ceilings in the family room could clearly handle much more. The extra long 108 inch panels emphasize the family room’s height and makes it feel even taller! 

A modern family room features dark brown leather sofas, geometric-patterned pillows, and a stylish pouf. Large curtains frame the window, revealing a cozy fireplace with a wooden mantel and plant for warmth. A glass coffee table rests on a patterned rug, completing the inviting space.

I also repainted the stairs that lead to the kitchen. If you missed my insta stories on this, it’s best to paint every other stair so you are never trapped or have to unexpectedly become an unpaid member of Cirque du Soleil 😉 

A modern family room features a gray sofa adorned with patterned pillows. A glass coffee table holds decorative vases and plants. A railing reveals the dining area with chairs and a pendant light above, creating an airy and well-lit space perfect for gatherings.

With the leftover wood from the fireplace mantel extension, we built a custom, eight foot picture ledge to go over the sofa. Since there is very little wall space in the family room, I wanted a place to display some art. I even drew a custom family portrait 🙂 Think abstract art. No one ever said I was Picasso, haha! 

A modern, cozy family room features a gray couch adorned with patterned pillows and a striped throw blanket. Above, a wooden shelf displays framed art while a sleek lamp stands nearby, revealing a stylish and inviting atmosphere.

It looks like us, right? 🙂 

A couple sits closely on a modern couch in the family room, with the man gently kissing the woman on the forehead. She cradles a small brown dog. Behind them, framed art and photos adorn the wall, while a potted fern and decorative vase enhance the cozy atmosphere.

The last item we addressed this week was a new side table. You might recognize the base from my previous One Room Challenge. I had an extra and decided to add a wood top to create a simple and affordable end table.

A modern family room features a glass coffee table with two white vases brimming with green plants. A gray sofa adorned with patterned pillows stands next to a sleek bar area. In the background, a white floor lamp reveals an inviting and harmonious space.

Can we talk about this new sofa and chair? Originally, I thought they were not going to arrive on time. In fact, I was so sure of it, I first posted this reveal with our old furniture. The tracking said it would not arrive until December, so I went ahead and pushed forward. But by some miracle, it arrived the day before Thanksgiving and I didn’t even have to bribe anyone at Crate and Barrel with a sandwich! I am calling that a major win and so far we are loving it!

A modern family room features a gray couch with geometric patterned pillows. A minimalist black metal coffee table holds a plant and a white vase, revealing style in simplicity. A tall floor lamp stands in the corner, alongside a plant by the brick wall. Two wooden shelves display artwork.A modern family room with high ceilings reveals a large black ceiling fan. The space features a gray sectional sofa, a brown leather chair, a glass coffee table, and a fireplace with a wooden mantel. Decorative items and plants add accents to this stylish setting.A modern family room features a gray sofa and armchair adorned with patterned cushions. A glass coffee table and beige geometric rug reveal the chic design, while framed art on a shelf above and a potted plant add greenery.Even though I shot this room twice and the furniture just barely arrived on time, I feel so thankful for this new space! It honestly doesn’t even feel like the same room to us. With all the time we are spending at home, this room has been seeing a lot of action and it feels so nice to have a change of scenery.A modern family room features a gray sectional sofa adorned with decorative pillows, complemented by a sleek black coffee table. A brass lamp graces the table, while framed art reveals creative flair on the shelf above. In the corner, a tall plant adds a touch of greenery.Two white ceramic pots on a reflective glass surface: a tall vase and a round bowl-shaped planter. The planter reveals lush green ferns, adding a touch of nature to the modern decor, perfectly suited for a stylish family room against a textured white brick wall backdrop. A modern family room features two brown leather chairs with striped pillows, a patterned pouf, and a woven rug. A fireplace with a wooden mantel and decorative items is on the right, while large gray curtains reveal the window view. A potted plant adds greenery. A cozy family room reveals a gray sofa adorned with patterned black and white pillows. A tall floor lamp stands beside the sofa, and framed pictures rest on a wooden shelf above. A leafy plant adds greenery to the corner, enhancing the modern aesthetic.A modern family room features a mounted TV above the fireplace, which cleverly reveals a wood log storage nook beside it. In the foreground, a gray sofa and glass coffee table invite relaxation, while several potted plants add a touch of greenery to this stylish space.

Shop the Look

Sofa | Chair | Curtains | Fireplace Insert | Faux Logs | Area Rug | Floor Lamp | Pouf Ottoman | Coffee Table | Hurricanes | Boho Pillows | Geometric Pillows | Basket | UGG Blanket | Beer Flight Set | Crystal Decanter | Whiskey Decanter | Towel | Decanter Charms | Rocks Glasses | Cabinet Pulls | Wood Houses | Fottery Vases  

If you enjoyed my Casual Modern Family Room Reveal, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!A woman sits on a gray sofa in the modern family room, holding a small brown dog. Framed abstract art and photographs are displayed on a shelf behind her. A geometric patterned pillow and a decorative vase with a fern adorn the sofa, as sunlight reveals every bright detail of the space.

A person with long hair sits on a beige sofa, smiling in the modern family room, surrounded by decorative pillows. Behind them, a shelf displays framed art. In the foreground, a white vase and a potted fern reveal elegant touches on the table.

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Don’t forget to stop by the One Room Challenge to check out all the other participants and their big reveals! There are so many talented designers with amazing ideas. Prepare to be inspired! 
Garrison Street Design Studio - Casual Modern Family Room Reveal

A collage reveals a modern family room makeover, showcasing a stylish lamp, striped pillows, a "wine" sign on the shelf, and a fireplace with sleek design. A banner reads "Casual Modern Family Room Makeover" with a website link.

This post, Casual Modern Family Room Reveal,  appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

12 Comments

    1. Awww, thank you!!! You are too sweet! We literally took over a hundred photos trying to get all of us looking good, haha!

      Reply

  2. I love how this space turned out! I love the causal vibe. Congratulations on completing the One Room Challenge!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Tracy! I am so glad I put in the time to get the fireplace right. It definitely changed everything 🙂

      Reply

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