The family room is a room for many uses. Whether you are watching television, playing games, or just gathering for conversation, your family room should be a relaxing atmosphere designed as a multi-purpose room.
Most family rooms are designed around a media center with a television, stereo, game systems, or your family computer. And with all these electronics comes movies, CD’s, or games. It is essential to have storage for these items with good organization.
There are many pieces of furniture specifically built for organizing these items. A lot of entertainment centers are designed to hold not only the television, but separate space to store DVD’s, stereo’s, or video games.
However, the flat screen television has become more popular, especially since it doesn’t take up so much space. A lot of homes have the flat screen television mounted to the wall, especially over the fireplace as the focal point of the room. You can even purchase different style frames for your flat screen television for added decor. In this case, when the television is mounted to the wall, separate storage pieces can be used for your movies and such. DVD/CD racks, or shelves which mount to or lean on the wall are great options for storage.
But don’t get too wrapped up in trying to make your television or media center the focal point in your family room. It isn’t really necessary. Really, almost everyone has a television now, so why make it your focal point when it really isn’t a special piece? It isn’t the focal point in my family room. I just prefer to have a nice ornate mirror or large framed photos above my couch, with decorative candle sconces on each side. Having decorative lamps on end tables that are on each side of the couch help pull together the focal point. Large figures or statues, or large vases with artificial floral or bamboo stems can be used at one end of your sofa instead of having lamps at each end.
Whatever style or color scheme you use to decorate your family room, be sure to keep it comfortable. I wouldn’t recommend formal style furniture in your family room since it is a gathering room where people want to relax. And remember, in a room where many gather, there are more spots and stains. Choose furniture with upholstry that is stain resistant or with covers that are easy to remove and wash. Upholstry with dark colors or having leather furniture are great choices for a family room. Adding ottomans or foot rests are also nice pieces to prop your feet up, and they provide extra seating when you
have a lot of people filling the room.
Decorating a family room is very easy. Framed family photos add a nice touch and are great conversation starters when you have guests visiting. Also, neatly placing books on your coffee or end tables will provide reading material when you want to turn the television off, and have a quiet place for reading. And, add a few throws or afghans, not only to add color, but to warm up and relax while watching a movie or reading a good book! And, if you decide to serve food in your family area, having snack tables or serving trays with stands will not only keep the food off of your nice furniture, but are very easy to clean up. And most of these trays with stands can be folded and conveniently stored away.
Using these ideas will create a family room designed for a large group of people to entertain, for a few to gather and have conversation, or for one just to kick back and relax with a good book. Whatever the purpose, make it a multi functional space that is comfortable and includes your own personal style!