Family homes are busy places. The kitchen, bathroom and utility room all serve a practical purpose, the bedrooms are for individuals and couples to have privacy, relax and sleep, and the lounge is where we entertain guests.
What many families are missing, however, is a room where the family can spend quality time together, play games, watch films and generally have fun.
If you have a dining room or a spare bedroom which you could be put to better use, or you are considering converting an internal garage or outbuilding – creating a family room could be the best use of the space.
Here are 6 tips to help you create the perfect family room.
Make it comfortable and social
Image: Cuckooland
To make sure the whole family feels relaxed and comfortable, you should bring in large soft sofas, armchairs and bean bags so that everyone has a place to sit.
Arrange the seating together so that it is easy for people to talk and place a low table in the centre for drinks, snacks and board games.
Finally, throw in some woollen or fleece throws which you can snuggle up under.
Designate an area for play
If you have small children, it is a good idea to designate a corner of the room as a play area where toys are stored.
Put a playmat or carpeting down which the children can play on. Hopefully, this will prevent toys from being strewn all over the room.
After all, it is a room for everyone, not just a playroom.
It is also a good idea to bring in games which everyone in the family can enjoy such as a pool table, football table, dart board, or similar.
Visit homeleisuredirect.com to browse their wide range of games.
Display family photographs
Where better to display your family photographs than your family room?
There are lots of creative ways to display photographs which will make a visual impact.
Click here for stylish ways to display your family photographs.
Plan space for technology
Image: Furniture Choice
There is no getting away from the fact that modern family life involves technology.
Whether playing computer consoles, streaming television shows and films, or listening to music, everyone in the family enjoys some form of technological entertainment.
However, too much access to technology can prevent families from communicating, so you might want to place screens on low units so that they do not dominate the room.
Think about maintenance and durability
Image: Furniture Choice
If you have designed the room well, it will get lots use and is likely to get messy.
Keep maintenance to a minimum by choosing paint which is easy to wipe clean, hardwearing soft furnishings like those made of leather (or that have machine-washable removable covers) and install shutters rather than curtains.
Flooring should also be hardwearing and easy to clean.
Wooden floors covered by a rug that can be washed regularly provide a balance between durability, easy maintenance, and comfort.
Have plenty of storage
Image: The Dormy House
To prevent the room from becoming overwhelmed with everyone’s books, magazines, toys, and other possessions, make sure the room has plenty of storage options.
You could give every member of the family their own drawer or cupboard where they can store their things and the room can be tidied easily.
Add a Star Map
Why not add a personal piece to the room, which recognises a special moment in time.
Try a star map from Under Lucky Stars to show a special date that has meaning to your family. It might be a birthday, a holiday or an anniversary – simple choose a beautiful star map which shows the unique alignment of the stars in a place and time chosen by you.
How unique and special would that be?
I hope you love these ideas to help you create a wonderful family room, where you can all gather, relax and enjoy space together.
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Jen x
Jen is an interiors writer and blogger and has an insatiable love of home style and decor
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These are great tips, I’m really hoping to redecorate our living room in the New Year and I’ll definitely take these on board!
Amazing tips, may add one more if you don’t mind? I usually advice my clients to keep it as minimalistic as they can as this way they do not have to worry about cleaning and maintaining in that much and can dedicate more time to relax, socialise and enjoy with the family.