Family living room ideas – 10 ways to create a living space fit for the whole household
Everyone in the family, young and elderly alike, can benefit from family living room ideas tailored to their preferred methods of unwinding.
In contrast to the more formal living room ideas targeted at entertaining visitors, which might be more at home in the main reception room, a family room is where the family can kick back and enjoy a movie night. The kids can go goofy, and everyone can take it easy.
If your home has only one living room, you’ll need to find creative ways to accommodate even more people and activities. Luckily, we’ve compiled various ideas to help transform any living space into a welcoming place for your family.
FAMILY LIVING ROOM IDEAS
We’ve scoured some stunning places and asked the experts to provide family living room ideas that will keep the whole brood happy, including clutter-beating storage solutions and seating methods with enough room for everyone to kick back and relax comfortably.
1. TACKLE MESS WITH BUILT-IN STORAGE
It is challenging to keep the living room tidy when you share it with the kids. Having a convenient place to stow away clutter at the end of the day necessitates using well-thought-out storage solutions.
Interior designer Claudia Afshar says, “We will often install built-in cabinets to frame the TV or an enclosed sideboard with shelf possibilities.” “Now you can store toys close by without sacrificing style,” they said.
Small living room ideas benefit significantly from the addition of built-in storage solutions. In addition, Afshar suggests installing a blanket basket or magazine holder on the side of the sofa. This makes a convenient spot for storing the children’s playthings. You might also make use of the spaces under the occasional tables.
2. CREATE A FAMILY ROOM IN THE KITCHEN
Open floor ideas are popular these days, and one option for creating a living area is to convert a portion of the kitchen or dining room into a family room. According to interior designer Leslie Close, “the family room is a bit more casual and is generally in the kitchen where you spend most of your time with family,” making it a better choice than the more formal living room.
This room, designed by Afshar, features a spacious kitchen, an informal breakfast area, and a TV room complete with a comfy sofa. The seamless design of this area makes it ideal for group meals, after-school chill time, and even a little homework.
3. INCLUDE A VARIETY OF SEATING STYLES
Variety in living room seating ideas is essential for satisfying everyone in the family. Interior designer Linda Eyles explains, “You need diverse sorts of seating.” You’ll want some sofas and lounge chairs (swivels are fantastic! ), but having a few smaller, more upright chairs is also a good idea. A deep, low couch isn’t for everyone.
Use a taller coffee table and slide one or two caster-equipped ottomans under it for more tables. The ottomans may be pulled out and used as extra seating or a footstool, and the elevated table is convenient for serving drinks and appetizers.
In this living room, the coffee table serves double duty as a storage unit for the numerous ottomans that tuck away neatly under its surface.
4. KEEP THE KIDS COMFORTABLE WITH A CORNER SOFA
Go big with your living room sofa ideas if you want to create an area for the complete family to spend time together. A corner sofa is an excellent choice to ensure everyone in the family has a place to relax. An L-shaped configuration is not only a modern and fashionable option but also allows plenty of space for people to spread out comfortably (it’s not uncommon for more than four people to fit when sitting upright).
As Afshar puts it, “Large sectionals and ottomans can help to create a fluid channel for youngsters to play securely and freely,” especially when paired with carefully chosen accent pillows that retain more shape and add an overall charming touch.
5. INCORPORATE A SEPARATED SNUG OR PLAYROOM AREA
To make the most of a single room’s potential as both a formal living room and a relaxed family or playroom, think about whether or not you can partition off a section of the area.
“If we have the chance,” adds Eyles, “we want to build a sort of ante-chamber,” a space off the living room that has wide sliding doors so that it is entirely open to the living area but can also be closed off when necessary. I mean, come on, bright orange and yellow toys don’t go with your elegant furnishings, do they?
Yellow London transformed the smaller portion of this townhouse’s L-shaped drawing room into a cosy library, replete with a television and a squashy sectional sofa, for more relaxed evenings.
6. SWAP SHARP EDGES FOR UPHOLSTERED OPTIONS
When furnishing a living room, especially for a family with young ideas, safety must always be a top priority. Sharp corners and edges are something we enjoy thinking about, says Afshar. “Glass isn’t always the best material for a coffee table; in those cases, we may recommend a large ottoman with a tray or a marble or wooden alternative.”
Keep any glassware high, and get cushioned furniture and tables to prevent injuries. A careful selection of fabrics and finishes in this room’s lower levels—including an upholstered coffee table, soft woven storage baskets, and a padded fireplace guard—ensures that security does not have to compromise aesthetics.
7. GET CREATIVE TO DISGUISE THE TELEVISION
It’s safe to say that in most American households, the television is an indispensable tool for relieving stress, entertaining children, and permitting intimate movie nights. The trouble is that when it’s turned off, all you see is a big black rectangle, which isn’t exactly the most aesthetically pleasing addition to your living room.
You’ll need to think outside the box if you want to hide a television. The television in this family room was concealed behind sliding doors in built-in cabinets, but you could also be creative like designer Tiffany Leigh did. Leigh opted to set up her TV and digital art/photography display space, a Samsung Frame, atop the marble mantle.
8. KID-SAFE TEXTILES DON’T HAVE TO BE DULL
Kidsgrove’s Head of Design, Clara Ewart, states, “We don’t feel that aesthetics need to be compromised by usefulness.” “Clients are typically wary of using pricey materials or finishes in rooms used by small children, but we’ve found some fantastic goods that are easy to clean and maintain,” the designer said. The performance fabrics by Perennial and the recycled plastic rugs by Jennifer Manners are fantastic examples of this category of stain-resistant products.
In addition, Close argues that “child-friendly, pet-friendly fabrics and finishes are necessary for every family since they make parties a lot more fun.” Soundproofing, thermal regulation, and slip resistance are all issues that can be addressed by installing carpet tiles Flor. You may even hang them on the wall if you want! They work well in living rooms, offices, and kids’ rooms.
9. SWAP A FAMILY PHOTO WALL FOR OPEN SHELVING
A collection of treasured family rooms looks lovely in an informal living room. A photo gallery wall is nice, but if your family expands, you might want to think of something more flexible.
Eyles states, “we love to use rows of cantilevered shelves for a family photo wall.” It’s lovely because it’s not as rigid as a traditional “art wall.” It is simple to replace old pictures with new ones as your family grows or as new holiday memories are captured. We have a similar problem with the kids’ art they bring home from school: you want to show it off, but there are always more pieces to look at. In this manner, you can swap out the parts whenever something better comes.
10. EMBRACE COLOR TO MAKE THE KIDS FEEL WELCOME
Don’t be scared to let your freak flag fly in the living room; bright colours are perfect for a play family. By creating a visual divide in terms of colour between the formal living room and the family space, you can teach kids the difference between the two and encourage them to spend more room in the latter, better suited to their play needs.
Eyles claims that “prints and patterns are particularly kid-friendly” in general. As a practical matter, it is wise to opt for darker colours and intricate designs to cover up any stains that may be left behind after an accidental spill.
HOW DO I DECORATE MY FAMILY ROOM INTERIOR?
Eyles says, “The finest rooms are those that can be versatile.” He adds, “I love to have a game table in the family room — we have a jigsaw puzzle open on ours all the time, but they are fantastic for an impromptu game or even homework if need be.”
To create a family room that serves multiple purposes while still looking lovely, Bankston May suggests choosing pieces of furniture that don’t take up too much room. “Integrate pieces that are both portable and versatile so that you may eat, play games, and watch your favourite shows all in the same space,” the experts advise.
Afshar suggests hanging curated art and other decorative pieces from the ceiling over coffee tables, end tables, and buffets. Flowers, well-chosen sculptures, and elegant furnishings are some of our favourite things to decorate with. “It’s the little things that count.”
