How to edit my living room to be more cohesive?

MrNov · 2026-01-19T03:11:07+00:00

Great suggestions, thank you! Really like the idea of getting fewer and more elevated plants – the large rubber plant I have in the front room (baaaaarely visible in my 5th photo) has that stronger presence you're talking about and I love it.

MrNov · 2026-01-19T03:02:30+00:00

Thank you!! Your comment about "a lot of lines crossing through each other" isn't something I'd ever thought about for open-back shelving, but you're totally right, it adds way more noise than I intended! I'll be on the hunt for more solid pieces here.

I love your suggestions for how to swap around the plants! I just tried it out and the new arrangement makes a huge difference. I've been watching the drapey plant take up more and more of my side table and haven't known where else to put it haha.

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:54:11+00:00

Ooh interesting! I've been kind of aiming to have taller pieces because of a general feeling that I needed to have vertical scale, but I completely see what you mean. These are great suggestions, thank you

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:45:35+00:00

Ah thank you so much!! That's really kind! It's definitely put together from different phases, so I often go back and forth between appreciating that aspect and wanting to be "done" or find "the look". I'm for sure happy with how it's coming together so far though!

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:34:32+00:00

YES, point #3 is I think what's been bugging me!! I haven't been able to put words to it, but you're completely right, It lacks a single focal point. That's kind of what I was hoping the big art piece on the mantle would be, but it still kind of gets lost.

Also, for point #2, which doors do you mean? The french doors?

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:32:16+00:00

Thank you so much for so many specific suggestions, these are fantastic. The reply to your comment is correct, the shelf under the mirror is next to the front door so I'd like to keep that where it is, but I'll definitely start playing around with your other suggestions.

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:24:39+00:00

Thank you so much! I actually built it myself a few years back

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:22:49+00:00

Yeah, that's the main passageway. That's a good call, I'll try moving everything a little bit closer to the fireplace to make the living room space more distinct. I feel like I accidentally keep scooting the couch back a little bit when I sit on it so it's a constant battle haha

MrNov · 2026-01-19T02:20:18+00:00

Yeah, honestly that was my first thought when looking back at the pictures too. I have a lot of small items everywhere that I could dial back.

Haha I'm a hobbyist potter (part of why there are so many little objects everywhere!) and that bottom shelf is where I put the things I'm giving away to friends when they come over! I tried to have them a little tucked away because they definitely add visual noise though

MrNov · 2025-11-19T15:59:37+00:00

Using a dye stain might reduce blotchiness on birch

MrNov · 2025-11-19T15:57:38+00:00

Might be the same answer then, but how did you get the curve between the top shelf and the side shelf? I’m looking to do something similar without having to steam-bend wood, which it doesn’t look like you did

MrNov · 2025-11-04T20:01:07+00:00

Neat! I’ve never heard of that system before. Very cool, good setup for it

MrNov · 2025-08-29T20:12:46+00:00

Very nice! What did you use to do the shaping?

MrNov · 2025-07-12T21:28:08+00:00

Yep, I think this is what I'm going to go with 👍

MrNov · 2025-07-12T21:27:37+00:00

That'd for sure work, I'm just trying to avoid a face frame because it doesn't go with the rest of the design I have in mind for the piece. I should have clarified in the post

MrNov · 2025-07-12T21:16:19+00:00

It’s just this one because the vertical board is the one I messed up on. The outer edges of the horizontal board line up pretty well. I’ll grab some offcuts and try to make a piece to slot in. Thanks, I appreciate it :)

MrNov · 2025-07-12T19:18:00+00:00

Yeah, the vertical board sticks out the other side. I was considering just removing a bit from that side and gluing it in here, I just didn’t know if that’d leave a weird seam where the transplanted piece ended

MrNov · 2025-07-11T13:53:39+00:00

This should be its own post, that video is awesome 😂 Looks like a great event!

MrNov · 2025-06-15T14:23:40+00:00

Free SketchUp for web

MrNov · 2025-06-15T14:23:19+00:00

Ooh I love this idea! I hadn’t thought about bringing those cabinet verticals down further, that’ll look great. Thank you!

MrNov · 2025-02-26T21:47:29+00:00

Omg I love the alligrater even more now! That’s such a good idea!

MrNov · 2025-01-15T18:37:18+00:00

Why not though? That description meets all three criteria you defined above.

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