Planning a space such as a family room or great room, requires some extra thought since it’s a room that will be used by lots of people and for a variety of different activities. The goal is to make this space both functional and beautiful, which is easy if you take a few minutes to plan before you begin.
First, make a list of everyone (and their guests) that will use this room and the activities that might take place. For example: Friday night movies, poker night with the guys, a teenage sleep over, holiday entertaining, studying after school, reading before bed, monthly book club meeting, a cocktail party with friends, etc…
Next, ask yourself these questions:
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Will TV be watched in this area?
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Do you need seating for entertainment?
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Will you ever eat in this room?
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Is there alot of traffic in and out?
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Do anyone play games?
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Is someone going to read or study here?
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Is there often more than one activity going on at the same time?
If you answered yes to most of these, you’ll need to design a room accordingly, but it can be fairly simple to do. Here are some suggestions for creating a space that is not only provides flexibility, but that could end being a favorite room for everyone!
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Create several seating areas. If space allows, create a larger seating area for a main gathering such as watching a movie together or entertaining guests and then place one or two other seating areas around the room for reading, one-on-one conversations, or even a game of backgammon.
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Plan for extra guests by placing 2 ottomans under a sofa table or in front of a fireplace the can pulled into the main seating area and place an extra chair next to a desk that can used as well.
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You may want to include a multi-purpose table and chairs that can used for cards, crafts, gift wrapping, eating, or appetizers when entertaining.
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Fabrics and finishes should be chosen not only for beauty, but durability. It is possible to have both!
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Don’t forget about lighting. Of course you need overall lighting for the whole room, but by adding a flood lamp behind a floor plant, a beautiful reading lamp next to a favorite chair, and candles on table tops; you can create instant ambiance. Tip: I love dimmers! They are easy to install and in a second you can take a room from bright to romantic. Try them in every room of the house!
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Use pieces that can used for several purposes. For example; an ottomon can be used as a coffee table. Look for one that is firm enough for a tray of drinks, durable enough for your feet, and has a hinged top that will store games and comfy throws. Another great piece to look for is a set of nesting tables that can be neatly stacked for daily use, but split when entertaining.
The key to designing a successful “living” space that works for everyone in your home, is to simply taking a few minutes to evaluate the lifestyles of everyone who lives there and to use items and materials that are not only beautiful, but functional for any occasion. With a few minutes of extra planning, your room is guaranteed to become a favorite place to be – and the keeper of many happy memories with family and friends.
Dish on Design Gal 