The Fixes

A bit of paint, extra storage, the right accent pieces, and, yes, some furniture shuffling helped turn the Benders’ living room around.

Add Streamlined Storage

These easy-to-install shelves make the most of a blank wall, adding storage without blocking light or taking up a lot of room. They are fashioned from two seven-foot aluminum standards ($25 each, www.issdesigns.com) and ten 12-inch brackets ($7 each, www.issdesigns.com). The actual shelves are made from precut oak stair treads ($25 each, Home Depot), so there’s no need to break out the handsaw. Thanks to this additional storage, the Benders’ family photos and sculptural vases can get the attention they deserve in an uncluttered arrangement.

Make a Move

Pulling the sofa away from the wall and placing it across from the fireplace instantly gives the room a focus. Situating the coffee table in front of the sofa and CB2’s Nomad floor pillows ($20, 800-606-6252) nearby completes the seating area — one that is centered around the hearth but also convenient for watching TV or taking in the outside view.

Fluff It Up

Throw pillows are a fast fix for a drab or outdated sofa. Here, CB2’s graphic Palm Leaf pillow ($25, 800-606-6252) and JCPenney’s round 18-inch suede pillows ($25, www.jcp.com) add warmth and texture while breaking up and lightening the oversize brown couch.

Accessorize

Think of accessories as icing on the cake. They might not be necessary, but what a difference they can make. Just be sure not to overindulge. Pick and choose your knickknacks so they add personality, not clutter. In a modern house like the Benders’, simple, sculptural pieces work best. The shapes of the different vases play off one another, and the Michael Wainwright large blue vase ($150, 413-303-0131), pillows, and other objects echo the color of the accent walls to help tie the space together.

Reflect Right

Before hanging a mirror, consider what it will reflect (preferably not a blank wall). Umbra’s Hub wall mirror ($143, www.umbra.com) is positioned across from glass doors leading to the backyard. The placement reflects the light and view, making the room appear brighter and larger.

Introduce Color

White walls do nothing to define or enliven a room. Here, the Benders applied Benjamin Moore China Blue ($41 a gallon) to mimic the sky. The color coordinates with as many shades as go-to neutrals, like beige and gray, do. Since the open-plan room has one shared wall and a windowed one, the Benders painted only two walls, to delineate the space.