15 Family Room Ideas to Help You Create the Coziest Spot in the House
The family room multitasks more than any other space in the home. From reading and napping to playing and watching TV, there isn’t much you can’t do in it. As a result, it needs to be highly functional — as well as energizing, inspiring, and, of course, kid-friendly. Each of these family room ideas will have you, the rest of your crew, and all of your guests feeling right at home.
1. Cozy up.
Everyone should feel a) welcome and b) comfortable in your family room. By draping blankets over seat backs, layering throw pillows on the sofa, and tossing a couple of floor pillows on top of the rug, you create a safe place everyone wants to gather. Just don’t be surprised if someone other than you or your kids ends up dozing off in there.
2. Make a mini playroom.
The truth about playrooms is that they’re luxuries, even though sometimes it feels like they’re necessities. If you don’t have space for one in your house, consider dedicating part of your family room to a pint-sized version. One mom did exactly that by using the IKEA Kura toddler bed to create a DIY reading nook, play mat, and ball pit.
3. Mix patterns.
Look closely at this image. Do you notice how your eyes bounce from one focal point to the other — without tiring out? There are a few keys to successfully pulling off pattern mixing: sticking with a consistent color scheme, playing with different scales, and having a few solid pieces that ground the space.
4. Construct a couch.
Dealing with a cramped space, can’t find the look you want for sale, or trying to get creative with storage? Consider designing — and building — your own couch to your exact specifications. Constructed like a bench with plenty of cushions for comfort, the best feature is the basket storage underneath for extra organization.
5. Hang photos.
It makes sense to expect family pictures donning the walls of a family room. Instead of using more generic, posed images, the homeowners of this space decided to select artful ones that better represent their children’s personalities. Along with the mom’s one-of-a-kind art and other colorful elements, you get an idea of who they are as a unit.
6. Opt for ottomans.
With little ones especially, there’s always worry about them hitting their head on sharp corners. Ottomans, with their soft edges and unlimited fabric options, are proof that child-proofing can still be chic. Bonus: It’s just one more opportunity to incorporate color, texture, and pattern.
7. Create zones.
Creating definable sections is one of the most impactful ways to ensure that everyone enjoys spending time in the family room. Here, the arm of the sectional acts as a half wall that transforms the piano and a couple of armchairs into their own space. For those with younger kids, consider turning part of the family room into their playroom. Doing so intentionally, which partially means creating organizational systems to cut down on the mess, helps build a form of controlled chaos.
8. Make space.
When your family room also moonlights as a playroom — and it’s an average or below-average size — it’s a challenge to make everything fit. In this space, we see that a coffee table and lots of seating aren’t actually necessary — especially when the floor can be dedicated to play. Small ottomans can serve as both when needed, but are also able to be tucked away to minimize clutter.
9. DIY storage.
With 18 long feet of empty space, it only made sense to install a custom bench with hidden storage in this family room. That kind of added organization (and seating) is a game changer — especially when you have kids. Bookcases, cabinets, and shelves are all equally functional, and depending on the size of your space you may be able to keep all of their toys contained.
10. Fill the nooks and crannies.
An unused closet, an empty alcove, some open space between furniture — all of this can be utilized to make your family room more functional. Here, the closet became bunks, a desk was added to the alcove, and hanging chairs filled the space.
11. Choose color.
We’re used to deciding what kind of home we want to have, but what about our kids? Indulge their style by incorporating colors just as playful as them (like pink!), in ways that align with your own. The result is a space that everyone wants to spend time in.
12. Go antiquing.
The first scratch, scuff, or stain on a brand-new piece of furniture can cause a lot of frustration. The beauty of buying things used, on the other hand, is that they’re already imperfect, so the stakes are lower (the price is too). It’s also well-known that older pieces tend to be higher quality, so they can handle more roughhousing.
13. Hang a gallery wall.
Each photo, work of art, and memento is unique, and together they’re even more powerful. Not only does a gallery wall make a statement, but it also tells a story. Plus, with so many different sized frames, it’s easy to replace pieces as time goes on.
14. Bring in baskets.
Baskets are the storage solution for everything — toys, blankets, library books, etc. If you’re the kind of person who can’t stand the sight of clutter, they’re especially helpful because even if you can’t put everything back where it belongs, you can at least tame the visual eyesore.
15. Go dark.
Stains and children go hand-in-hand — so dark upholstery and rugs are every parent’s not-so-secret weapon. However, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to dark neutrals like navy and black. Jade green, mauve, and a deep denim hue, as shown here, can work just as hard.