Family Room Makeover - Craigslist & FB Marketplace Furniture Only

[@marymcdonough557]

You do what looks best to you, you have exceptional taste.

[@lindamccormack9862]

Photos behind the sofa are perfect

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks for the input on photos Linda! 🙌🏽☺️

[@champagnemommy]

Gorgeous and home-y. Makes me want to curl up with a good book on the couch. 😊

[@susanmulvey6311]

Yes honey, I was going to comment that the pictures behind the sofa need to be higher. But didn’t want to say anything against your designing. Your doggie laying in the middle of the floor on the rug, just had the expression of “Here Mom goes again, redoing and styling the room!” 😂 I do really like the black edges of the coffee table, black frames, and black pillows all styled together.

[@marysharvey]

I like the height of the pictures, they are correctly hung at eye level.

[@letitrejo9332]

Melba you have a really great eye for design. I appreciate how creative and resourceful you are. I’m always amazed by your marketplace finds. Most of all I love to hear you describe your thought process and trail and error. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@lori5829]

I agree that the pictures behind the sofa look great, they line up nicely with the hutch. So the eye travels well around the room. Your plant shelf is too crowded, maybe add a basket and books. Great job.

[@nancydavidson2295]

I like the reflection in the glass in the hutch of the sofa, table lamp and pictures.

[@Kerrie-AnneBruce]

I'm a bit late soz been really busy trying to catch up. You really have a talent there very classy. I love what you do. Thanks for sharing ❤❤❤

[@leighmartin5290]

Perfect picture hanging.

[@conniesisco6468]

I think the pictures behind the sofa are the perfect height. They need to feel connected to the sofa. They would look odd hanging too far above it. The only thing I would change would be the top two shelves behind your beautiful thrifted chairs. I would remove some of the items and mix it up by putting some plants and some ceramics on each shelf. It’s beautiful as is also!

[@davidmoorhouse8190]

Cat suits the decor..adds to it..good room layout..👍

[@MelbaMakes]

🐈‍⬛thank you! 😊

[@patticurry565]

It looks inviting and cozy; a great place to lounge and unwind.

[@libbyhinson4676]

Looks great to me! ❤

[@leslie8423]

Very tastefully executed!

[@alextaylor2979]

Your thrift finds and fixes are fantastic! The way the shelves looked before is a better look - to me. I feel that the plants on the shelf are too busy, and the black pillows are too strong for this space as it is to heavy and holds the eye too long. Having said that, I'm something of a minimalist. The sofa and chairs are fantastic, and the table. Plus I love the style of the shelving unit. Being a thrifter myself, its always so much fun to watch your videos. I'm so glad you are back!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks for sharing your feedback on the space Alex! The input is appreciated and it will be fun to keep sharing the evolution of the space with you all 😊 happy treasure hunting! ✨

[@3TXSisters]

Wow! You have some great furniture. You'd never know that it was thrifted or free! You have exquisite taste! I think the pictures over the sofa are the perfect height. So glad I finally had a minute to watch! Take care, Linda 🦋

[@joldc5123]

I find the art behind the sofa is at the perfect height, the mcm piece of furniture makes it too tight in the corner tho, you have a great eye for finding beautiful pieces at a great price.

[@mrsverovalera]

It all came together so nicely… so peaceful and inviting. ❤

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Vero ❤️ (I hope I got your name right, please correct me if I’m wrong)! 🤗

[@motownmommy]

Leave the art at the height it is. It's at the line of sight. You're not decorating for giraffes 😊 Love your room

[@nikoniko1965]

i

[@katemark4413]

Looks balanced and clean.I feel like the plant on the coffee table is too big[tall] and it blocks the conversational flow with chairs.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks Kate and I appreciate your feedback! I agree with you that the plant height gets in the way of conversation so will have to keep playing around with that one 😆🪴

[@RitaVernoy]

I’ve missed you😂 it’s amazing how you have curated your room with thrifted finds. You are very talented.😊

[@MelbaMakes]

I missed our community too and so happy to hear from you after my break Rita! I hope you have been having a wonderful summer ❤️😊thank you for the kind words and hope this was a fun one 🤗

[@RosaLopez-zw2ff]

My neighbor was just telling me that she applies silicone claw covers on her two cats. She said they last awhile but if one comes off she just applies another one. This is how she keeps her furniture in good shape without claw marks or claw tears. You did a wonderful job in changing everything around.

[@chrismctague5015]

Much cozier.

[@boonhaven]

I once had a ring on my coffee table from someone leaving a cup too long. I used lemon pledge, let it sit, then wiped off. I let it dry and then repeat. The ring disappeared. Maybe it can work on your hutch. ❤ Great styling..

[@MelbaMakes]

Oh! I will have to give lemon pledge a try, thank you for sharing @boonhaven! 🙌🏽😊

[@donnaokoniewski3761]

Hi Melba. Beautiful room!! You have excellent taste and instincts. I have a few thoughts... The art behind the couch is perfect height! Too many times, people have a tendency to hang art too high. I'm glad you avoided that. The beautiful hutch should not be in that corner. It does weigh it down and looks out of place. It appears you wanted to hide a window or a door that is behind it?? I couldn't quite make it out. If that is the case, I would use drapes all across that entire window wall and move that beautiful piece elsewhere. If you need that piece there for functional reasons, then disregard what I said. The wall shelf across from the sofa, I would tweak. The bottom shelf looked great. The first and second shelves were too crowded and had no place for the eye to rest. Remember symmetry and the rule of threes. Thank you so much for sharing. Another great video, I enjoyed. Have a great week. xo

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for your feedback Donna! The hutch is there for functional reasons because of a little window behind it! At least for now this is my solution 😊

[@evanflood7038]

You GO GIRL!!! What a gift you have, both with design and acquisition!

[@cltinturkey]

So happy to see you back!

[@MelbaMakes]

I’m happy to be back! Thank you and happy Sunday Courtney! 🤗❤️

[@karenhampton2389]

Lovely room. Great job!

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Karen! 🙏🏽😊

[@annmcevoy9299]

I like furniture pulled out from the wall a bit

[@BarbaraellenHarston]

i have tried to furnish my house inside and out with fb marketplace/charity shop/free. it is amazing what perfect pieces you can find and you explore and meet people while picking up your pieces. there is too much waste in the world!!!! also, too many plants on the shelf for me. love the space.❤

[@patriciawilson6524]

So glad to see another video of yours .

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you Patricia and thank you for saying hello 🤗

[@annasandoval4837]

Looks beautiful!

[@MelbaMakes]

Hi Anna! 🤗 Sorry for the late response and thank you for the compliment! 💕

[@eileenwang3113]

Dropped in here to say hi! Love this restyling 💗 Also I love that you have a projects corner that is totally me too haha

[@DianeCorbeille-s2b]

I think that's perfect height. Most people hang too high and you really have to raise your head. You have higher at the end of the couch.

[@cltinturkey]

I'd suggest you leave the three prints as they are above the sofa. Normally in that room, you'll be sitting, so the height is perfect for that. Hanging them higher might make them feel disjointed and just there to fill space. Just my opinion, but my parents finally and forever convinced me to hang things lower. I think they're just right as they are.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for your feedback on the prints Courtney! 🙌🏽😊

[@barbhutchinson5907]

A beautiful room! If you put double sided sticky tape on the edges of the chairs and couch, it will discourage cat scratching. As time goes on and the kitty gets out of the habit of scratching on those, you can remove it.

[@Tw0sistersbff]

❤❤❤

[@susanvelez6534]

Melba your home is enormous! I love it ! That room is awesome …👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙋🏻‍♀️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼we have a date for transplant on my Daniel. I’m scared 😞😞

[@MelbaMakes]

🥺 I hope that your Daniel is hanging in there and that you are too Susan. I know it’s a been difficult time. I hope the transplant and recovery go well ❤️

[@susanvelez6534]

@@MelbaMakes thank you sweetheart. 🥺🥺I’m a wreck. You take care of you and your Daniel you have been hard at work this summer. Fall will be here soon….. I’m sending millions of thank you’s and hugs your way. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@MelbaMakes]

That’s so tough Susan 😔 a big hug to you too ❤️

[@susanvelez6534]

@@MelbaMakes I’ll take the hug darling, I can’t sleep and I’m starting to have small panic attacks. I feel alone god it’s the weirdest feeling

[@susanvelez6534]

Leave the frames they look wonderful over the couch I do have a suggestion

[@TerriSiler-hv8in]

Pictures are fine. Your sofa has a low back the height is perfect on the pics

[@joyceoverstreet8693]

Why don’t you put the hutch between the two arm chairs on the wall the chairs were, where the sofa is now?

[@annw1395]

The black-framed art behind the sofa (and the coffee table) made the room, IMO. Before that, it looked too monochromatic. The accessories are so nice. I think it's too many plants on the 2nd shelf, tho. Watch out with your cat. Mine carved a gigantic hole -- about 6 inches, almost to the frame -- in that upright part of my sofa. After that, I got her declawed. Sorry, kitty, we tried au natural. I love your home!

[@lessieallen2170]

So nice! Where is the magazine holder from?

[@TheDISSHonoredOne]

Nice re do. Hey can you please link you little electric shaver, we have the same problem!?

[@joannangeli4442]

Hi there! I think the pictures behind the couch should be raised a little and I would add some more pops of color… maybe a few different colored pillows or swap out the throw for a multi colored one. But I like your style! 👍🏻

[@lindacgrace2973]

Oh, dear. That corner is way too tight. It's a disservice to the sofa AND to the magnificent mid-century piece. Please consider returning the sofa and chairs to their original configuration and let that wonderful hutch shine. Although, I would float the couch in the middle of the room - as it was originally laid out, there was too much space between couch and chairs. Somebody sitting in one of the chairs should be able to comfortably park a drink on the coffee table. OR leave the couch as-is, float the chairs in the middle of the room and occupy the wall behind the chairs with that marvellous hunk of mid-century cabinetry. It's a delight to watch you learn and grow as a designer - your channel is always so interesting.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thank you for this feedback Linda, I just posted a video with an updated layout where I try the sofa in the middle! Not sure if it’s the orientation you had in mind but I am trying it in the middle now 😊🙏🏽

[@ibosquez5238]

I saw on KZbin a video on how to remove water stains on furniture with heat from an iron. It wo4ked pretty good from what i saw.

[@CarolSmith-k1q]

I would like to see how it looks to switch the large art to the left and the photo to the right.

[@tammiecurrie930]

Yeah, the art work behind the couch is too low, and have u thought about maybe trying a moody art piece of a individual on top of the cabinet, u know the ones used alot now, I think it would also work as a great conversation piece, nice job🍂

[@KeylaUrbina-q7i]

Greetings from Florida! I’m new to the channel and love it. I enjoy watching your videos and love the way you explain everything. I feel very motivated to get things in FB market but delivery is difficult to find for me. Can you talk more about the company you use for delivery and what you can expect regarding the cost? I will like to have your advise regarding delivery and if you can share some links. Your home is beautiful and everything looks very high end. Thank you for sharing.

[@heathersmith8549]

I’ve never heard that rule of thumb of 18” above the sofa. The rule we learned in design school is that pictures should be hung eye level. Yours look slightly low but not by much. Maybe an inch or two.

[@Maria-fd7re]

Please don’t use the “rule of thumb” term. It derives from the time a man was allowed to hit a woman as long as the object was not thicker than his thumb!

[@MelbaMakes]

I went with one of the top results from a quick search that’s from a Martha Stuart blog post lol that recommended 8-10”. It’s helpful to hear what you learned in design school so please keep sharing with us Heather! The prints ended up being close the 60” midline I’ve used before (a little lower)

[@MelbaMakes]

Yikes! @Maria thanks for letting me know! 😳

[@novellawilson5138]

I love the plants on the shelves but I hope they get enough light

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the plants on the shelves! We have a skylight in the room so lots of light throughout the day (I avoided filming when light was too harsh) ☀️🌱

[@geribriggs6713]

Let me preface that it is all personal taste - I think the pictures should go up about 12 inches and on the opposite side wall I think you should group pottery in 3’s and them mix and match plants on the top and bottom - ten in the middle but the items in the bottom row :)

[@katehamb439]

The room looks lovely and cozy. I’d be concerned about peoples heads touching the pictures when sitting on the couch, so they may need to go up a bit???

[@kimmhclouthier2594]

The pictures are a little low, they’ll look great higher. I think that rule of thumb doesn’t work because it’s a lower backed sofa. You do such a lovely job.

[@kimmattevi7683]

If the three frames are bothering you and seem too low, maybe you could add 3 more right above them?

[@susanvelez6534]

Remember the rule to zig zag on your shelves

[@RtTrningGrl]

The photography hung behind the sofa is at a good height. Most people hang art too high; it should be hung closer to eye level when seated.

[@peachygal4153]

I think the pictures behind the sofa need to be raised but just a bit, enough where people leaning back on the sofa won't hit them with their heads. Maybe 6 inches. If you want something to give height, you need on large art piece or mirror that is nearly the width of the sofa. About 4 feet by 6 feet. No real need for height though

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks for your input on the sofa pictures height @peachygl4153! Helpful to hear how it looks to you all and to get more eyes 🙌🏽

[@winnieharleyriley]

Perfect distance from sofa

[@cltinturkey]

While I love the pieces you put on the shelves above the chairs, I'd suggest you add more blank space by removing at least 1/3rd of the items on the top shelves. It feels now a bit like a shop, rather than a home. Great individual pieces but too many together. Again, just my opinion. You have a great eye. Live with it a while and then make changes.

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks for the feedback Courtney! Others in the community have the same thought. I’ll try to do a followup with any changes I make after taking things in some more! 🙌🏽

[@cherylweso]

I like your style! The pictures could be 4-5 inches higher. About ware the beautiful hutch top is. I really don’t like when the art is disconnected and too high.

[@cherylweso]

Maybe it is only 2 inches??

[@cherylweso]

Mix up the plants. Add books or something that is not a container. 💕

[@kathywiszowaty4607]

It looks nicely styled, but I personally am not a fan of all the furniture being placed up against walls. ✌️&❤

[@MelbaMakes]

Thanks Kathy! Is there a layout you would have liked to see given the furniture I have? I’m up for playing musical furniture again at some point in the future 😂

[@kathywiszowaty4607]

@MelbaMakes I would try putting the sofa facing the sliding doors, the cabinet on the wall where the sofa is, and the swivel chairs across from the sofa, of course coffee table in the middle of the seating. I'm not sure if you have slender bench or a rectangular piece that can be placed under the built-in shelving to serve as a place to put shoes on off for exiting or entering the sliders, that way you can cheat the furniture a bit closer to one side of the room as to not impede on traffic to an from the sliders, and still have some balance in the room. ✌️&❤️

[@crazycatlady61]

The pictures are too low, you have good instincts, go with your gut feeling.

[@Lacoux]

You need taller art above the couch.

[@philrose7716]

Why did you delete my comment?

[@katemoore6249]

Art behind sofa need to be higher. Also, your shelves are too overdone. Group in odd numbers. Too many plants on that one shelf. Otherwise, it looks good.

[@mariabetancur6471]

the plant is too much is looks crowded and also way too many ceramics and plants on the shelves