How To Decorate A Family Room For Beauty And Functionality

Essential tips for how to design and decorate a beautiful family room that works for family time, entertainment, and more, all while keeping it stylish and functional. 

Pin

Ann Lowengart Interiors via Houzz

No matter your design style, if you’re unsure where to start, this guide of family room ideas offers straightforward steps to help you make the most of your space.

You’ll find practical tips for everything from furniture placement to choosing decor that meets your family’s needs. 

This post is here to give you clear solutions so that you can start enjoying instead of just using your family room!

An Amazon affiliate link has been used in this post. See my full disclosure policy here.

Develop a space plan

Creating a space plan is probably the number one most important thing to do when designing any space.

It’s more than just figuring out how the furniture should be arranged. Equally important is knowing how you need the room to function.

Families that I know want a space to watch television in, a place to play family games, a place to eat meals or snacks, possibly even a place to work.  

Ask yourself these questions:

• How do you use the room most often?
• How many people need to sit comfortably at once?
• Do you need space for activities like watching TV, reading, or playing games?
• What’s the main focal point of the room (TV, fireplace, window)?
• What’s the flow of traffic, and how do people need to move through the room?
• What storage needs do you have?

Once those questions have been answered, it’s time to come up with a furniture arrangement plan.

It can be something as simple as a to-scale pencil sketch of your room on a piece of paper with the furniture pieces drawn in. 

My favorite method is to use graph paper. It comes in handy, as you can assume that one square on the paper is equal to one foot. 

For just a few dollars, you can purchase a room and furniture layout kit from Amazon that includes 215 punchout furniture shapes and graph paper.

TIP: No matter which space planning method you use, make sure to include window, door openings, and traffic patterns in your drawing.

Create zones

Today’s family rooms usually need to perform multiple functions such as TV watching, reading, and playing games.

Pin

To make the entire room flow well, create zones within it. Arrange furniture in such a way as to create natural separations between these areas.

A sofa might divide the seating area from a play zone. Or a game table with chairs might fit into an empty corner.

The use of multiple area rugs in a room is also a great way to define different zones within the same space.

Tips for selecting a sofa and chairs

With one exception (below), if you’re operating on a tight budget, upholstered furniture is generally not the place to skimp on price. It’s important to invest in the best quality your budget allows.

Inexpensive pieces of upholstery, that get daily use, will quickly sag and begin to look tired.

As tempting as that inexpensive Restoration Hardware look-a-like sofa is, you’ll be replacing before you know it. 

It was hard to spend over $2000 on my sofa over twenty years ago, but I’m forever glad that I did. 

Pin

Each time that I’ve had it recovered, my upholsterer tells me that the frame is still as good as the day I bought it and I’ve never had to have any of the innards replaced.

I have one exception to that piece of advice though and that’s if you have small children.

Kids can be rough on even the best quality furniture, so you’ll likely be replacing furniture in a few years.

In that case, consider opting for more affordable pieces, knowing that you can upgrade to higher-quality options once your kids are older and less likely to cause damage. 

Choosing a color scheme

When choosing a color scheme for your room, select the colors that are a reflection of the vibe you want to create.

• For a calming atmosphere, use neutrals such as beiges or soft whites for a backdrop. Add personality with soft accent colors through pillows, rugs, and accessories.
• If you prefer an energetic vibe, use bolder colors like deep blues, vibrant yellows, or rich reds. To not overpower the space, use these colors sparingly in accent pieces like throw pillows, artwork, and other decor. 

Pin

No matter which aesthetic you want to bring into your room, keep a cohesive look by choosing one main color and a couple of accent colors to use throughout.

Stick with a consistent palette for larger elements like furniture and walls, while using accent colors in smaller decor pieces. 

Repeating the same colors in different ways, through fabrics, artwork, and accessories, will help tie the space together and create a unified look.

Good lighting is essential

Plan your lighting layout to ensure the room is well-lit and functional in every area.

Pin

Adams + Beasley Associates via Houzz

Not only does good lighting set the tone and make the space more functional, your choices tie right back to your space planning. Knowing how the room will be used helps you determine the type of light you need and where it needs to be placed.

We all know that well designed rooms need multiple layers of lighting – ambient, task, and accent.

• Use ambient lighting, such as a chandelier or other type of overhead fixture to illuminate the entire room.
• Add task lighting, such as floor lamps or table lamps near seating areas for reading or working.
• Incorporate accent lighting, such as wall sconces to highlight artwork or other decorative elements in the room.

When it comes to lighting any room, using a mix of lighting sources helps create a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s both practical and stylish. 

Include storage solutions

Storage is key to having a well organized family room. You’ll need it even if you don’t have small children in the house.

Pin

High Point Custom Homes LLC via Houzz

By using multifunctional pieces, you can keep your space tidy without sacrificing style or comfort.

Storage ottomans or coffee tables with built-in drawers are great for stashing toys or blankets.

Wall-mounted shelves or a bookshelf can provide extra space for books, decor, and media equipment. 

Baskets and bins are perfect for quick cleanups and can be tucked into open shelving. 

Even a small bowl, placed on a stack of coffee table books, can act as storage by holding remotes or other small items.

Pin

When you approach it step by step, decorating a family room doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

By following this guide, your space will become a welcoming, well-organized space that everyone can enjoy!