Hi Friends!!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: furnishing a home takes time. Not everything needs to be decided or purchased all at once—and honestly, that’s part of what makes it fun. Living in a space, noticing what works (and what doesn’t), and slowly collecting pieces that feel right is one of my favorite parts of homemaking. Today I’m sharing about a hutch I found on Facebook Marketplace that fits our space much better than the smaller cabinet I was previously using as a temporary placeholder. The only thing it needed was a simple makeover to make it feel right at home.
Come and see ~
This upstairs hallway corner was one of those spaces. When we first moved in, I placed a cabinet that we already owned in this spot, knowing that it was only there to temporarily fill the space. I love this cabinet, but it always felt slightly too small for the scale of the room. It wasn’t wrong, it just wasn’t quite right. So the search began to find something that better fit this space.
Finding the Right Hutch on Facebook Marketplace
After some patient scrolling and waiting, I found this hutch on Facebook Marketplace and immediately knew it was the one. The scale felt right, and it was a more appropriate size for the space. All while still offering the character and storage I wanted. It fit the footprint of the hallway so much better and instantly made the area feel more balanced.
Painting the Hutch to Match Our Design Aesthetic
The original wood tone was a bit too warm for my taste, and didn’t quite align with the overall feel of our home. To help it blend seamlessly, I decided to paint the hutch in a soft, muted gray with blue undertones. I contemplated sanding the hutch down and refinishing it with a new stain, like I’ve done with many of our other pieces, but I found that this time I was craving a little more color. The transformation was simple but impactful. The paint softened the piece visually, lightened the feel of the space, and allowed the hutch to feel intentional rather than overpowering.
Paint has a way of giving furniture a second life, especially when the bones are good but the finish needs to evolve.
Next, it was time to fill it with my treasures.
For the top portion of the hutch, I carefully chose which items I wanted to display, giving it more of a styled look vs. a bookshelf. Collections of books from the same author, seashells we’ve combed the beaches for on past vacations, and treasured knick-knacks I’ve collected throughout the years. The bottom portion contains more of our overflow of books and extra magazines that I like to hold onto, but don’t necessarily want out on display.
Why Taking Your Time Furnishing a Home Matters
This hutch is a reminder that some of the best design decisions happen slowly. Furnishing a home isn’t about filling rooms as quickly as possible; it’s about letting spaces evolve and collecting pieces that truly belong.
If you read my Goals post for this year, then you know I hope to continue to add more character to this corner of our upstairs hallway. I purchased wall sconces to add to the walls for more ambient lighting, and I also have goals for adding a wainscotting treatment to the walls down the road.
Last winter, I focused on painting all the walls and trim, and with this new hutch now in place, we are one step closer to seeing my vision come to life. Proof that even if you can’t do all the things you hope to at once, adding details little by little will help bring you closer to the finish line one layer at a time.
One More Before & After
If you’re in the middle of decorating your own home, consider this encouragement to enjoy the hunt. Whether it’s Facebook Marketplace or a local antique shop, finding the right piece is always more satisfying when you let it happen naturally.
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