Ditch the piano to create a cocktail lounge vibe

My sister and her husband both died as a result of domestic violence in 2001, leaving behind two daughters. Our family then grew to five daughters and my sister's furniture came with my nieces as a memory of their mom and old house.

Fifteen years later, the girls are grown up and gone; the floral couch, the worn carpet and wear and tear remain.

Help me transition to the next chapter in my life. By the way, no one plays piano.

Design by Steinhafels

Budget: $10,000

The furniture is oversized for this living room layout and there is a piano that no one plays taking up valuable space. However, there's adequate space overall and the room just needs a layout that can be used for entertaining and conversation. It should set the tone for the home's style when company comes in the front door.

Suggestions:

• Getting ready for the next chapter of your life means gathering friends and family in a stylish and sophisticated environment. Use two sofas facing each other to create the ultimate cocktail lounge feel.

• Now that you have a space to relax and have a conversation with guests, add an updated industrial flair with accents.

• Keeping an additional accent chair to the corner and keeping the windows open creates an inviting area from the minute you walk in the front door.

• Keeping the pattern and color scheme simple will create a relaxing feel.