Bedroom Decorating Ideas - Tips on Planning your Family Room

Family rooms by their very name are for the family and, when most of us think of family, we think of relaxation and fun, as well as informal settings for carefree entertaining.

This is a room in which we can truly "let our hair down." It demands space for our hobbies, be they reading, watching TV, playing games or needlework. It also calls for some imaginative planning so all members of the family feel this is truly "their" room.

Careful planning of your family room is a must. Be sure to make a list of all the activities and functions the room will encompass. Only then can you make truly wise decisions about furniture and other finishes.

Comfort is essential in the selection of your upholstered furniture pieces. Do you like cushy seats and over sized pieces? Or do you prefer a comfortable seat in a smaller scale?

Fabric choices for furniture pieces are important, as this room is apt to get the most use of all the rooms in your home. Choosing a fabric that is durable and stain resistant is key.

Fabrics such as leathers, micro suedes and chenilles are comfortable and fairly easy to maintain. Plain fabrics with varying textures and patterned fabrics such as plaids, stripes, small prints and checks are most at home in family rooms.

The addition of large and small coffee and end tables will ensure there is lots of places to set food and drinks. Look for stacked or folded pieces to allow you the opportunity to increase table space as needed.

An entertainment centre to house your electronics is a must. Entertainment centres offer you a place for everything and can act as a focal point in the room. When possible, consider a unit with extra storage that can hold items such as CDs, DVDs, games and magazines.

A game table may also be an important addition to this room. Be sure to allow for adequate lighting when you select its place in your room. Ping-pong, pool and air hockey games are often a welcomed addition to this room. Of course having the proper space is a requirement of the type of game you select.

Flooring options in the family room should be easy to maintain and durable while still working with the rest of the flooring in the home. Wood and laminate floors are great choices for these rooms and can be warmed up with the addition of an area rug.

Choosing the right window treatments for your family room depends on the type of activities you will be focusing on. If you will mostly be watching TV and movies, why not consider room-darkening blinds? If the room will be used for family activities, a window treatment that lets the light in may be a better option.

There's no better way to finish off a room and complete a look than by adding accessories. Toss cushions are a fun and simple way to bring in colour, not to mention how comfy they are when you're watching TV or cuddled up with a good book. For easy maintenance in a bustling home, why not consider beautiful permanent plants and or trees to help fill in empty space?

Lamps add to the décor and also offer additional light to enhance the ambiance for particular tasks.

If you follow these ideas when decorating your family room I am sure it will become an integral part of your family home!

Sarah Pacey is the award-winning owner of the local Interiors by Decorating Den, which serves commercial and residential interior decorating needs from Oromocto to Grand Falls. Contact her office today with questions or to book an in-house consultation at 392-8882 or by e-mail at paceyteam@decoratingden.com.

Thanks to;bugleobserver.com - Family room fun