(NC) With the cooler months upon us, families will be spending more time indoors and challenged with how to keep family rooms fun and functional, without completely abandoning the design aesthetic. This fall, make some updates to the most popular room in the home that will enable you to enjoy the space without compromising on style with versatile design tips from Sharon Grech, colour and design expert for Benjamin Moore.
Comfy, functional and attractive furniture. “Many of us don’t have both a formal living room and a casual family room, so the family room usually does double duty,” says Grech. “Since it’s the place to bond with your kids and also welcome guests, select pieces that are versatile, like a large coffee table with storage inside or underneath for magazines, board games or movies. If you have children, a classic armoire or built-in storage wall works well to hide toys and clutter when guests come over. A sectional sofa is the latest trend that’s chic but also very comfortable with more seating options, making it perfect for large families and gatherings.”
Inviting family room colours. Select paint colours that help everyone unwind. Soft greys and blues are very welcoming and soothing, encouraging people to relax and unwind. “Try Wythe Blue HC-143 or Nimbus Grey 2131-50 for wonderful options that can be kicked up a notch with accent pieces in bold pops of colour, says Grech. You can also try a soft green, such as Salisbury Green HC-139, or a calming violet like Porcelain 2113-60. For living rooms, I often recommend Benjamin Moore Aura in an eggshell finish is great for both durability and colour vitality.”
The right layout. These days, families are doing much more than watching TV in their family rooms. If you can divide your space and create either a cozy nook for reading, using a laptop, or a play area, the whole family can spend time together in one space, while doing the things they love to do. Centering the furniture in the room and keeping it away from the edges creates a more intimate feeling in the space, while also allowing you to use the back of the couch as a room divider. A neat decorating trick for parents with little kids is to incorporate a bold focal point such as a large, colourful piece of art to help draw guests’ attention away from those places you don’t want them to notice.
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