Next on our split-level renovation tour: the main living areas — the living room, dining room, and kitchen. These spaces truly represent the heart of the home. While the layout isn’t fully open-concept, it has a surprisingly expansive and connected feel, especially now that the updates are complete.
What’s wild about this transformation is that we didn’t overhaul everything. No major walls came down, we didn’t gut the kitchen, and we didn’t splurge on a full-scale remodel. Instead, we focused on intentional, high-impact updates that modernized and brightened the space — proving that thoughtful, budget-friendly changes can still deliver a dramatic glow-up.
This space now feels clean, airy, and welcoming — ready for a new family to create years of memories.
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The Living Room
Let’s start in the living room, where you could really feel the “before” — dated finishes, tired colors, and a dim, somewhat heavy atmosphere.
And now? The room is bright, fresh, and modern. The cohesive palette plays a huge role — we used the same flooring, wall color, and trim throughout the entire home, creating a seamless flow from room to room.
Another major upgrade: recessed lighting. The living room previously had no overhead lights (a common challenge in older homes in our area), and simply adding modern lighting completely elevated the space. It enhances the new wall color — Behr Dolphin Fin — along with the fresh trim and flooring, making everything feel polished and intentional.
The Dining Room
The “before” here tells a similar story — dark, dingy, and lacking character. The mismatched flooring and dated paint worked against the natural potential of the room.
Now, the dining space feels bright and inviting. The beautiful front windows — easily one of my favorite features in the entire house — finally get the attention they deserve. They offer a gorgeous view of the countryside and bring in wonderful natural light.
From the dining area, you can see straight into the sunroom, creating a great flow through the heart of the home. The updated flooring works beautifully with the existing cabinets, helping the space feel cohesive and modern without a full replacement.
The Kitchen
Now let’s talk about the kitchen — a space we intentionally approached with restraint. The cabinets were in great shape and had already been refaced, and the countertops were newer. Instead of starting from scratch, we chose strategic updates: paint, backsplash tile, lighting, and appliances.
Before, the kitchen had a dated painted-brick backsplash, mismatched appliances, yellow walls, and scalloped 90s trim. While the 90s are having a comeback, some details are better left in the archives — and this scalloped trim and painted brick were definitely on that list.
A fresh coat of paint and a clean white subway tile backsplash brightened and streamlined the entire space. Updated appliances and modern lighting completed the refresh, giving the kitchen a polished feel without blowing the budget.
There’s so much to love here: abundant storage, great counter space, and a large window over the sink — a feature I personally consider a must-have.
If this were our permanent home, we might have gone further — removing soffits, opening up cabinetry between the kitchen and dining room, or even doing a full remodel. But for this project, keeping and enhancing what worked was the right decision. It preserved the budget and timeline, and the final result is beautiful, functional, and move-in ready.
Room Sources
- Flooring: ProCore Plus English Grove Oak, 7” wide
- Paint:
- Walls: Behr Dolphin Fin
- Trim: Behr Ultra Pure White
- Dining Room Light: Lanhall 4-light fixture
- Light Bulbs: Edison bulbs, 12-pack
- Kitchen Appliances: LG Stainless Steel PrintProof set
- Recessed Lighting: 12-pack with junction box
Your Turn — Favorite Feature?
It’s hard to choose, but the flooring is my personal favorite — it sets the tone for the entire space and elevated every room it touched.
What do you love most about this transformation? Let me know!
And if this makeover inspires you, don’t forget to save it for later — pin it! 🏡✨