Haven

Room for Family

The downturn in the economy has left a definite “damper” on the plans of many families who just a few years ago made a commitment to move into more spacious and comfortable homes. The good news however, is no matter where you live or the size of the space, there is no reason why you can’t still turn your home into a dream. The key to making your home the perfect living space that is both beautiful and functional has everything to do with creating the right atmosphere and maximizing the space available to you.

Fall is a great time to take on a family room project. The weather is cooler, kids are busy with school and you have plenty of time to do a nice face lift ahead of the busy holidays.

One of the key things to keep in mind when thinking about a face lift for your home is to remember that this is the place where you and your family live. Having said that, remember to consider the lifestyle of your family. When it comes to family rooms in particular, you want to focus on creating a space that is both comfortable and functional. When choosing things like seating areas, fabrics and flooring, keep in mind how your family functions each day. Resist the urge to choose elegance and beauty over a room that is warm and inviting. Colors, fabrics and the types of pieces in the room will all determine whether or not this becomes a place where you and your family will look forward to spending time together.

Here are some simple steps to get you started:

  1. Do an inventory of what you currently have that can be used in your new space.
  2. Set a budget of what you can comfortably spend on the new project.
  3. Determine what can be recycled either through upholstering, painting, repairing or re-defining.
  4. Choose a color palette for your new space. Be sure to consider natural lighting and how the final color will appear during different times of the day and evening.
  5. Consider furniture that can be moved into the new space from other areas of your home.
  6. If the room allows, consider adding a table and chairs that can double as a game table and another eating area for family meals.
  7. Talk to other family members who have homes or apartments and consider doing a swap. For example, perhaps you have pieces that are more conducive to younger children and because you no longer need that type of furniture, there may be an opportunity to make a trade with a family who is in that mode.
  8. If you need to add additional pieces check out your local Salvation Army or thrift stores for well-made pieces. These can easily be reupholstered with modern fabrics and give your space a nice “pop”.
  9. Hardwood floors are a nice choice if you currently have carpet and you have it within your budget. These floors are much easier to clean and they can be changed with the seasons for a quick and inexpensive update to the room.
  10. Get input from everyone in the family; after all this is the “family room”.
  11. So pull out those paint brushes and let’s get to work.