| The place where family members spend the most | | | | 6. If the room is large enough, create separate |
| time together is the family room. It is the place | | | | spaces for family interaction. That means a space for |
| where guests are entertained, and family unwinds | | | | TV watching, another for card or game playing, and |
| after a busy day at work, school, or running errands. | | | | a third for quiet reading. |
| It is the heart of the home, a place we want to feel | | | | 7. Color your room with paint and fabrics. Get away |
| good and relax. In more recent years, we have | | | | from beige of yesteryear. Sunny colors like golds, |
| found greater comfort in staying home. It has | | | | oranges, and corals warm up the space and create a |
| become our refuge, our sanctuary. We desire a | | | | warm environment. "Chocolate" is the new neutral |
| space that welcomes all, with warmth and coziness, | | | | and the new black. Blues like navy, gray-blues, and |
| not just a room to sit in. Therefore, furnishings, | | | | robin's egg, are always popular. Greens are earthy |
| decor and design have been greatly influenced to | | | | and remind us of nature. |
| provide such a space. | | | | 8. Functional pieces are necessary. Make sure that |
| To create that nest to bring family and friends | | | | you have a place to store magazines and |
| together, there are certain things one can do to | | | | newspapers next to seating where reading is done. |
| enhance the look of the space. Some are: | | | | End tables for putting down a glass or book by the |
| 1. Rugged, unattractive recliners are out! Oversized | | | | chair, is also a must. |
| and sleeker chairs are in. The chairs of today are less | | | | 9. Enhance the room with candles, books, plants and |
| bulky, and come in affordable leather with side | | | | flowers (whether fresh or silk), and photos of family |
| handles that have disappeared. The reclining | | | | members. |
| mechanisms are hidden. Many sectionals now offer | | | | 10. Remember to have a couple throws and accent |
| recliners built right into them. | | | | pillows on the seating to not only create coziness |
| 2. Sectionals provide more seating for larger groups. | | | | through color and texture, but also provide family |
| These now come in a variety of fabrics that are soft | | | | members with something that they can "cozy" up |
| and yet durable, like microfiber, and many | | | | with on a day when it is needed. Create comfort. |
| configurations. These provide a place to sprawl out in | | | | 11. Remember, window treatments provide not only |
| and relax. | | | | insulation from heat and cold, but also compliment the |
| 3. Additional seating is provided by upholstered chairs | | | | look and feel of the room. They are the finishing |
| that provide comfort and room. The chair and-a-half | | | | touch to the windows. There are many affordable |
| has become very popular in rooms that can handle | | | | solutions in silk, linen, cottons and blends. Finishing |
| the size. Ottomans and cubes are also incorporated. | | | | touches like fringe, beads, and tassels can reflect the |
| 4. Media or entertainment centers have typically | | | | style of the room. These treatments don't need to |
| become the focal point of the room. These provide | | | | be fussy. |
| organized shelving and storage for media equipment, | | | | Remember, any room can have furniture, but it is |
| photos, games and books. | | | | how you finish the room that adds comfort, coziness |
| 5. Position the TV so that it does not face southern | | | | and warmth to bring family and friends together. |
| exposure which may cause glare. | | | | |