The grill and patio furniture are evidence that someone sat and/or cooked here at some point, but one would have to be awfully generous to call them part of an outdoor living room — and the family of four that lives in this diminutive house needs every room available.

Now, these are the signs of life we’re talking about! When a smaller home’s footprint is fixed, it’s all about being able to stretch your legs everywhere. Hilary swapped in a cozy outdoor sectional sprinkled with plush pillows and anchored with an area rug, then punctuated the new gathering area with pops of autumnal color.

In the absence of proper storage, this room holds a little of everything and doesn’t feel dedicated to anything. Its jumble of A/V cables is dominating seating and the hearth, and what’s under that leopard-print cloth?

A pair of generous cabinets corral clutter in style (and blend into the background instead of distracting the eye, thanks to a coat of white paint that carries into the walls). With all due respect to her clients’ teeny wooden chair, the plush sofa and chairs Hilary chose for the family room are far more versatile seating options.