Make a Great Space
of Your Family Room
Recliner, sofa, TV – all the parts that
make up the typical family room. Too
often, this stale combination gets to be
a little too traditional. But family rooms
are changing and, like everyone else,
are quickly becoming multitaskers, too.
Today’s trends in family rooms are headed
toward the family’s interests and aren’t
always centered on TV, though many
still are.
Family rooms that offer a little something
for everybody are a big draw. Holidays
prove that. Where there’s a big screen or
plasma TV, you can bet everyone will be
huddled around the game. Gatherings
can also move from the kitchen to the
family room when there’s space to
accommodate some type of family activity.
Build in layers
More than just watching TV or enjoying the fire, a family room should provide an opportunity for quiet reading, working at a computer, and even some kind of fun activity. If there’s space, a pool table or games table makes the perfect addition to a family room. With today’s interest in poker, a card table in one corner of the room might be all it takes to get some lively hands going.
Creating space for a quiet spot is also a good idea, and balances out the busier side of the room. A comfy chair, floor lamp, and a shelf full of good books puts the focus on relaxation and quiet activities. If there’s room, angle two chairs together to create a conversation area. These are always nice and seem to be the first place everyone heads to in a room.
Meet basic needs
A family room should also meet the basic requirements of the functions of the room. Shelves for storing CDs, DVDs, board games, photo albums, and electronic equipment are a must, so make sure there’s adequate storage with built-in cabinets and shelving. Built-ins also add value to a home, making them a wise investment.
If built-ins aren’t in the budget, then adding furniture with storage is another way to create much-needed storage space. Coffee tables and ottomans and trunks often have space in them to store items. Or, purchase large decorative trunks to use as end tables. You’ll have twice the function at half the price.
Lighting is another important feature. Recessed or can lights can help light up dark corners of the room, while table lamps can provide ambient or task lighting for things like homework or reading. Hanging fixtures are a good choice over pool or game tables and bars.
If TV is your family’s favorite activity, make sure the windows in your family room don’t interfere with your enjoyment by creating too much glare for watching TV. Add curtains or shutters to help cut the glare and unify the look of the room. Adequate seating is also a family room must. If the room is short on places to sit, large ottomans (the same ones used for storage) can double as seating and cocktail tables. Small ottomans can even be tucked under cocktail or sofa tables in the event more seating is needed.
Focus on Family
The key to a successful family room is
creating a space that puts the emphasis
on your family. If your family’s crazy
about fishing, go for a fishing theme in
the room. Love movies and mostly use
your room for TV and catching the latest
DVD? Then create an in-home theater
with dark color and your family’s favorite
movie posters on the walls. Maybe
everyone in your house is caught up
in the poker craze. Design a room that
reflects everyone’s love of the game.
Whatever your family’s interest, make
this truly a family room by putting the
family’s interests in the room.
Rethinking your family room’s design,
décor, and function can help you get
more enjoyment out of it, and more
enjoyment with your family.
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
All rights reserved.
