Have you ever walked into a room in your house and thought, Wow, this space is just… blah? That was our sitting room. Grey, dull, and completely lacking personality. But after staring at it long enough (and scrolling Pinterest a liiiittle too much), I decided it was time to bring this space to life.
With a little DIY magic, some coastal-inspired touches, and a lot of determination, we turned this dark and lifeless room into a bright, airy, and inviting coastal retreat—and I’m sharing all the details with you!
DIYs in this room:
Design details in this room:
- Wallpaper
- Board & Batten color: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
- Chandelier
The Game Plan
Here’s what I envisioned for this space:
Add board & batten to make the room feel custom and high-end Lighten up the color palette with wallpaper and fresh, airy paint Incorporate natural elements for a relaxed coastal feel Rearrange and refresh furniture to maximize coziness and style
And of course, it all had to be budget-friendly and DIY-friendly—because that’s just how we do things around here. 
When we moved in almost three years ago, we installed new floors throughout our home and we LOVE them! READ THE FULL REVIEW OF OUR FRENCH OAK HARDWOOD FLOORING HERE.
Step 1: DIY Board & Batten Wall
You know I’m obsessed with adding wall treatments to create character in a space. Board & batten was the perfect choice for this room because it’s classic, simple, and instantly elevates a space. But this was my first time installing it!
I shared a full step-by-step tutorial with materials + tool lists in this DIY Board & Batten tutorial blog post, and I really love the clean and modern design! A fresh coat of cool white paint (Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore, if you’re curious!) made the whole room feel bigger and brighter.
Step 2: Bringing in the Coastal Vibes with Wallpaper
With the walls looking fresh and beautiful, it was time to add the coastal charm. 
I swapped out the yellow paint for this beautiful wallpaper from Serena & Lily. It was the perfect choice!!!
Step 3: Rethinking the Layout
I had originally planned on making this room an office, but it just felt better with four chairs. Now, we can really enjoy talking, sipping coffee, and just relaxing in here!
What was once a sad, grey box is now a light, airy, and welcoming coastal sitting room. It feels fresh, modern, and most importantly.. like the home I’ve dreamed of!!!
This project is a great reminder that you don’t need to break the bank to transform a space. A little paint, some DIY, and the right styling choices can make all the difference.
So, if you’ve been staring at a room in your home thinking, something needs to change, take this as your sign—it’s time to make it happen!
Let me know in the comments—what space in your home needs a refresh?
