5 FAMILY ROOM ESSENTIALS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT
People often refer to the kitchen as "the heart of the home" but for me, it's the family room. It’s the space where you curl up together to watch movies, play board games, eat pizza during the big game, help with homework or simply put your feet up and enjoy a glass of wine on a Saturday night. It’s the space where you connect and build memories.
We recently helped a well-traveled couple with two young daughters (plus their Jack Russell terrier) furnish and decorate their new home. We wanted their family room to be comfortable, durable and accommodate the needs of every family member. That’s a lot to ask of one space but it’s totally do-able. Read on to discover the 5 essentials you need to make your family room the “heart of your home.” And click here for more photos from this project.
Photos by @radiferaphotography
1. PLENTY OF SEATING: Everyone needs a comfy seat in this space. We love this deep L-shaped sectional sofa with colorful and textural pillows for maximum comfort, cuddling and cozy TV time. (Extra points if the corner seat is your designated spot!) Also, swivel chairs are perfect for conversations with guests, turning to enjoy the fireplace, or watching the latest blockbuster all from one seat. And for older family members or guests, it’s easier to get in and out of a swivel chair.
2. DOUBLE-DUTY FURNISHINGS: We love big, upholstered ottomans that can double as a serving table, a game table, or a cushy place to rest your tired tootsies. This version has a removable tray for drinks and collectables. The leather top is soft for rough-housing, and provides a comfortable place to stretch out, without worrying about hurting the furniture. Plus, there’s plenty of storage to stash the remotes, books, games and everything else you want to make instantly disappear.
3. DECORATIVE, YET DURABLE, CARPETING: For family room floor coverings, go with a large area rug that FITS THE WHOLE ROOM! We love this custom-sized stunner from our pals at @carpetimpressions. The hand-knotted diamond pattern in wool adds an element of color and playfulness, without overpowering the room design. 100% wool is our first choice for hard-working family flooring that naturally repel stains.
4. MULTI-FUNCTIONAL WINDOW TREATMENTS: Family room window treatments need to check a lot of boxes; they need to look good, reduce glare and provide privacy. A go-to combination for us is to hang shades to control the light and privacy and add decorative panels that soften the edges of the windows and help the room feel finished. (We’re loving how these turned out with the organic hand-drawn line on them.)
5. CELEBRATE THE TV WALL: There’s going to be a TV and it’s going to be big! Why fight it? For this project, we selected the Samsung Frame TV, so when it’s off, it blends with the family gallery wall by displaying lovely artwork of your choice. A beautiful media cabinet creates a strong base and balances out the weight of the sectional across the room. And a gallery wall featuring family photos, kids’ artwork and travel memories, make the space personal for the whole family.
Hopefully these ideas have your wheels turning for tweaks you can make to your family room to create a space for togetherness, relaxation and connecting. If you need help, we’re here for you! Take a minute to complete our Design Survey and we’ll schedule a FREE Discovery Call to discuss the possibilities.