Turning up the comfort level in living rooms, family rooms, or all purpose living spaces doesn't mean you must sacrifice style. Literally relax your decorating scheme with good looking durable furnishings like futons and easy care accents. Then your had working family center will still mind it's company manners. Today's fabrics are elegant but tough, thanks to technology, and fabric help futon covers repel soils and stains. Even synthetic suedes easily wipe clean. Give floors the no fuss treatment with plush stain resistant carpet, stylish no wax and resilient flooring, quarry tile, or mellow grained wood protected with coats of polyurethane. For walls, consider vinyl wall coverings, easy to clean painted finishes, or treated wood paneling. Special furniture finishes provide a worry free option, and time worn woods that don't fret over scratches add appealing character.
Creating a "just for the family room", apart from the living room, begins with the search for space. Then, turn your attention to activities-centered decorating to customize it's function. Remodeling a basement, attic, attached garage or enclosed porch into a family room is less expensive than a new addition. With multi functional futons, a rarely used formal dining room or spare bedroom can play a dual role. Or, bring back the conviviality of yesterday's keeping room by adding a cozy sitting spot to a large kitchen.
Even though you may be spiffing up old furniture for the new space, gear the seating arrangement and amenities to family activities. For music lovers, consider the rooms acoustics in choosing a ceiling, wall, and floor covering. Organize entertainment equipment in wall systems that free up floor space and expend storage. Designate creative zones, such as an artist's work space by a sunny window, or a children play area, wrapped in easy carer materials.
Consider family living spaces you canvas, a chance to artfully express your clans personality and showcase favorite pursuits. Your reward is warm one-of-kind style, and your room is destined to become an inviting gathering spot for your family and friends. Give the collector room to display cherished finds, and provide gallery space for the family's painter, weaver, or photographer. Let particular passions, such as a whimsical folk art or Native American textiles, set the mood and cue the palette. Celebrate family talents and interests by turning handcrafts, hobby projects, and travel treasures into decorating accents. For the bookish set, create a cozy library ambience with wall shelving stacked with colorful volumes.
As you can see, Futon are fun and practical, and can meld into any decor... with a little imagination!
