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“Home idea with IKEA”: living and dining room makeovers

This week’s hero, Rima, is at the beginning of a new chapter. She lives alone in the house she once created together with her husband. Over time, life changed, the interior grew outdated, and the furniture wore out, so she decided it was time for a refresh – starting with the living and dining room. Will our interior designers be able to turn this room into more than just a dining space – a cosy place to relax, read a good book or enjoy morning coffee? Take a look!

A woman is standing in the living room by the dining table, looking into the camera. In the background, there is a window with curtains and a wall of pictures in frames.

Interior designers‘ task:

  • Create distinct zones within the shared space: for storage, dining and hosting, as well as for relaxation and personal time.
  • Make smart use of the long, narrow room with its unusual niche and many windows.
  • Ensure the new interior works well with the distinctive wall colour, the kitchen and the fireplace.

Spot the transformation!

Room function. After the family circumstances changed, the large dining area was used less often. So instead of keeping a traditional dining room, we created a cosy relaxation corner where Rima can spend her free time.

 

Lighting. We added different types of lighting so she can set the right atmosphere whenever she wants. Floor lamps by the sofa and armchair provide light for reading, a main ceiling lamp offers general lighting, additional wall lamps add warmth, and the cabinet lighting not only makes it easy to see what’s inside but also enhances the overall look of the room.

 

Textiles. Decorative cushions add a sense of comfort, while curtains bring elegance and warmth by helping to block the cold coming from the windows. Rugs act as striking design elements and help divide a large space into clear, functional zones. In Rima’s updated room, three rugs neatly outline the three different areas.

Living room and dining area after the renovation: a long dark brown table with six chairs, a dark brown bookcase with glass doors, a corner sofa and a coffee table.

Fancy borrowing this idea? All the solutions you need are here:

Skip listing
A dark brown NÄSINGE wooden dining table with a rectangular shape and four legs. Its designed to extend, seating 4-6 people.Farmhouse dining setup with NÄSINGE table, chairs, lamp, & decor.

NÄSINGE

Price 199€
Available for delivery
Single dark brown wood chair with beige padded seat, slatted back design.A cosy dining nook with a dark wood table, beige cushions, striped rug, and plate wall, illuminated by a large window.

NÄSINGE

Price 49€
Available for delivery
Mustard yellow KOPPARBJÖRK stoneware vase with glossy glaze, simple rounded shape, no flowers.A wooden table set with white bowls, black and white bowls, a glass, and a yellow vase with green branches and yellow flowers.

KOPPARBJÖRK

Price 12,99€
Available for delivery
GLADELIG dark grey ceramic bowl, wide & shallow, textured glaze finish.Wooden shelves holding dark grey GLADELIG stoneware bowls & mugs, stacked neatly, with clear glasses above.

GLADELIG

Price 17,99€
Available for delivery
GLADELIG plate, dark grey, oval, stoneware with reactive glaze, simple elegant design.Plated dark grey glazed plate with sleek, glossy surface.

GLADELIG

Price 7,99€
Available for delivery
Black oval stoneware plateGLADELIG dark grey stoneware plate set on table, smaller than glass and bowl, with fork, knife, spoon, and napkin.

GLADELIG

Price 3,99€
Available for delivery
A black HEKTAR floor lamp. It has an industrial design with an adjustable, oversized metal shade.Stylish living room with black lamp, white sofa, olive blankets, and greenery.

HEKTAR

Price 59,99€
Available for delivery

For breakfast, relaxation and fun

From now on, Rima’s dining area meets a variety of everyday needs, with each piece of furniture chosen to make the space functional, comfortable, and cosy:

 

• We placed the extendable NÄSINGE table in the dining area, which can easily adjust in size depending on needs and the number of people dining together. This dark-stained table comfortably seats 4–6 people.

• The versatile BILLY bookcase can hold books for leisure reading or be repurposed entirely. In Rima’s room, it serves as a sideboard, with doors to hide personal items neatly out of sight.

• The TV cabinet provides practical storage for various small items. It becomes even more convenient if used with drawers, making it easier to find everything quickly.

Dining room furniture
In the bright living room, there is a dining table with chairs and a bookcase; in the background, a fireplace and a window with curtains can be seen.
Dining room furniture

Just sit down and relax

Since the living room won’t be used for sleeping, we chose the HYLTARP sofa for the relaxation area – a classic design is easy on the eyes and perfect for sitting comfortably or stretching out after a long day. The chaise longue includes a spacious storage box, ideal for extra throws or anything else to keep neatly tucked away.

 

Empty walls can make a room feel unfinished, as if something is missing. Decorate them with artwork you love or frame your favourite photos to create a warm, personal touch.

Living room furniture
A corner of the living room features a brown three-seat sofa with patterned cushions and a round black coffee table. On the wall above the sofa hangs a collage of framed pictures.
Living room furniture

A new favourite spot

When we think of a living room, the sofa is usually the first thing that comes to mind — but don’t underestimate the power of a good armchair. In this room, the spacious and comfortable STRANDMON armchair with a footstool plays a special role. It will be Rima’s everyday place to sit back with her morning coffee and enjoy the view outside the window.

Armchairs & accessories
By the living room window, on a round grey rug, stands a STRANDMON armchair with a matching footstool.
A woman is sitting comfortably in the STRANDMON armchair, leaning against its high backrest and looking into the camera.
Armchairs & accessories

“Don’t be afraid to change the layout of your space when it no longer suits your needs. Life doesn’t stand still — and neither should your furniture. Give more attention to the areas you use most and make them as comfortable as possible.”

Alantė Zubrytė and Gabija Petkevičiūtė, IKEA interior designers

Two IKEA interior designers in blue striped uniforms stand confidently in a kitchen showroom with white cabinets and red walls.

What was done before?

In previous seasons, our interior designers transformed a wide range of home and business spaces, offering practical tips on how to adapt interiors to personal needs and keep everything well-organised. We renovated kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms, created a children’s room in an attic, refreshed office spaces, redesigned a compact one-room apartment and so much more.

Previous makeovers
A carousel of home makeovers showcasing transformations in bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
Previous makeovers

Would use some help?

If you'd like to renovate your home without a big investment or major repairs, you can always ask our interior designers for help. With your input and home furnishing style preferences, whether it be traditional or modern, our professionals will help you navigate our wide range of products and create a complete furnishing solution for one or multiple rooms, or for your entire home.

Interior design service
View from above: an IKEA interior designer in a yellow uniform takes notes at a desk with a laptop, a mug of tea, a paint colour palette and inspirational images.
Interior design service

An episode of an interior makeover show, where an old living and dining room is transformed into a modern, bright space perfect for me-time. The show features homeowner, a host and IKEA interior designers.

Have you missed this episode on TV3?

Watch it here, track all makeovers and get inspired.

Skip listing
A dark brown NÄSINGE wooden dining table with a rectangular shape and four legs. Its designed to extend, seating 4-6 people.Farmhouse dining setup with NÄSINGE table, chairs, lamp, & decor.

NÄSINGE

Price 199€
Available for delivery
Single dark brown wood chair with beige padded seat, slatted back design.A cosy dining nook with a dark wood table, beige cushions, striped rug, and plate wall, illuminated by a large window.

NÄSINGE

Price 49€
Available for delivery
Mustard yellow KOPPARBJÖRK stoneware vase with glossy glaze, simple rounded shape, no flowers.A wooden table set with white bowls, black and white bowls, a glass, and a yellow vase with green branches and yellow flowers.

KOPPARBJÖRK

Price 12,99€
Available for delivery
GLADELIG dark grey ceramic bowl, wide & shallow, textured glaze finish.Wooden shelves holding dark grey GLADELIG stoneware bowls & mugs, stacked neatly, with clear glasses above.

GLADELIG

Price 17,99€
Available for delivery
GLADELIG plate, dark grey, oval, stoneware with reactive glaze, simple elegant design.Plated dark grey glazed plate with sleek, glossy surface.

GLADELIG

Price 7,99€
Available for delivery
Black oval stoneware plateGLADELIG dark grey stoneware plate set on table, smaller than glass and bowl, with fork, knife, spoon, and napkin.

GLADELIG

Price 3,99€
Available for delivery
A black HEKTAR floor lamp. It has an industrial design with an adjustable, oversized metal shade.Stylish living room with black lamp, white sofa, olive blankets, and greenery.

HEKTAR

Price 59,99€
Available for delivery