With the Autumn days and darker nights getting ready to draw in, we’ll be spending more time in the family room so shouldn’t they be as warm and welcoming as they can?
But
for who? Your idea of a perfect family room might be very different
than your partners – and unless you’re an adult gamer or love cartoons –
and your children.
The
layout, style and features of a family room or living room as we used
to call them have to have something for everybody if they are going to
enjoy spending time there.
Here are some ideas to create something for everyone in the main living space:
Play Room
Not
everybody has space for a separate playroom for younger children, or
may not want to create one but there can be one corner of the main room
dedicated as a fun play are for the kids.
Think
about it – without one, the toys can quickly take over and make you
feel like you are living in a giant soft play centre. By turning a
specific space into a Kindergarten, they will feel valued and can be
given the lifelong and important responsibility of keeping it tidy.
It
can be done tastefully with splashes of colour and subtle but important
storage spaces dedicated to toys, gadgets, arts and crafts materials
and more. As the children grow these storage spaces remain and can be
used to house gadgets and whatever else is going to be in five years
from now.
Image-ination
Nothing
can reinforce the idea and membership of a family than pictures of the
members in the room. Any bare section of wall, shelf space or cupboard
is a great spot and if the frames are kept identical in colour and their
sizes, it will re inform the group dynamic.
Choosing one or two of your favourite family pictures from holidays or great days out and converting them to large prints will create warm centrepieces that everyone will remember.
Tech Talk
Modern
technology and gadgets are ubiquitous but the newer designs for flat
screen 4K TV’s and colour coded wifi speakers and routers mean that it
can be incorporated into any living room style perfectly.
Floating shelves can be incorporated to elevate any screens and speakers you wish and modern assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo
can be hidden behind plants or ornaments. They are voice controlled so
as long as they can hear you, you don’t have to see them!
The
family that games together stays together so make the space compatible
for a family viewing and gaming experience. A couple of colour
coordinated beanbags cost less and take up far less space than chairs
and can keep the space informal and comfortable – even if you are
entertaining big kids for a movie or a match.
Family Friendly Flooring
The
modern flavour of wooden floor is here to stay but it can be brightened
up with a large or several smaller rugs. Keeping the room tidy and
free of clutter is also imperative but different colours and materials
will offer an interesting aspect.
Having
a thicker or woolly rug will also be great for kids’ feet and to sit on
when their friends are around. Even more so if they match the
beanbags.
Open Spaces
A
modern design idea that will function all year round is increasing the
light in a room. But what if you could also open up the wall to let
nothing but light in and take advantage of great weather days?
Installing some powder coated, colour-coordinated aluminium bifold doors is an elegant solution and provides a variety of fourth wall options to rethink any family room arrangement.
With increased light and ventilation
coming into the room, it will feel like there is more space available
for everyone – and it’s a quick and easy way to get the kids more active
in the outdoor spaces and you will be able to see them easily from the sofa!
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