Design ideas: Making the most of a small den

THE CHALLENGE

Nina Halper wants to redecorate the 11-by-14 foot den near the entrance to her home in Petworth. It should be a warm, elegant space where she can relax and watch movies. Space is limited, but a large sofa is crucial. Her Saluki wolfhound, Sabra, tends to take over the room.

(Leah L. Jones/FOR THE WASHINGTON POST) - Nina Halper

Gallery

House Calls: Local rooms get virtual design makeovers: The Washington Post pairs local readers’ design challenges with an interior designer.

THE SOLUTION

By updating the tile around the fireplace and adding a chandelier, designer Liza Jones makes the small den feel grand.

Update the tile. Remove half of it to create more wall space and replace the rest with an elegant mosaic.

Mount the TV to clear floor space. This will make the room look bigger.

Add color with a pair of bright, patterned ottomans. They can also serve as extra places to sit, small tables or footstools.

A chandelier makes a bold statement in an otherwise calm space.

The large sofa needs a large coffee table. This round table can accommodate guests who sit on all sides of the room.

Paint the ceiling Sherwin-Williams’s Silvermist. Walls are Carrington Beige by Benjamin Moore.

Dress up the windows.
Woven shades and sheer curtains add texture to the room.

Liza Jones Interiors (703-966-1554, www.lizajonesinteriors.com) is based in Sterling.

SHOPPING GUIDE

Furniture: Lounge three-piece sectional sofa in Ale microfiber ($4,000, www.crateandbarrel.com); clear acrylic Susie table ($280, www.alibaba.com); Urban 48-inch round coffee table in dark walnut ($600, www.manhattanoutlet.com); Ellipse dog bed ($880, store.vurv.ca); Kite Kilim rug ($424 for 8-by-10, www.westelm.com).

Lighting: Possini chrome and black pendant chandelier ($300) and Leopard Silveria glass table lamp ($360), both from www.lampsplus.com.

Accessories: sheer Belgian linen draperies in sand ($94 each for 108-inch panels, www.restorationhardware.com); “Ode to Joy” print ($100, www.art.com); Villa Home African Mod leopard print pillow ($86) and Inhabit Why Not pillow ($58), both from www.allmodern.com.

SPLURGE . . .

Arteriors Home Linden tripod wood floor lamp ($910, www.lampsplus.com).

Poof ottoman with tacks in blue ($750, www.ottomans.com).

Bholu Nimboo cushions in orange ($140 each, www.designpublic.com).

. . . OR SAVE

Lights Up! Woody linen shade floor lamp ($385, www.lampsplus.com).

Chain link pouf ottoman by AnitaCasa ($96, www.etsy.com).

Orange-and-white star throw pillows ($47 each, www.pillowsbydezign.com).

Tell us about your design challenge.

Send photos, room dimensions and contact information to makeover@washpost.com.