$40 Living Room Rug

I mentioned the other day that I told AJ I didn't want anything for Mother's Day except to have the freedom to put some money towards a rug. The living room has been driving me crazy for a while and I've been feeling the need to break it into zones more effectively. One of the easiest fixes I figured was to get an 8x10 rug for the couch area to make it fit the space better. I've been thinking a jute rug would be fun and spotted one for $40 from West Elm on Craigslist.

Here is the before... I wish I snapped a better photo of the whole space:

And the after... I know it looks like everything is monochromatic except for those ridiculous dark pieces of furniture... I have a plan for that, don't worry.

Up close and personal:

View from the back doorway (we always use this door, it's off the driveway). I shot it from the straw bag I have been using to throw all our shoes in because I like the complimentary textures:

The rug from the living room went back to where it belongs under the dining room table:

We have two people who approve of the additional comfortable floor space. :)

I think this room is the hardest to take photos of without making it look cluttered and boring. Maybe that's because it does look cluttered and boring... :) Well, regardless... the plans we have for the room will bring more light and color in and make it more functional, maybe I'll cover that tomorrow. We'll see. All I know for sure is that right now I'm eating some divine Haagen-Dazs caramel cone ice-cream. :)