If you have children, one of the most important rooms in your home is the family room. Ideally, it's a place where your family spends time together developing closer ties. Is your family room just a room with a sofa and TV? Is there no storage or space for family activities? You can change that and you can do it inexpensively. You can even make it a famiy project. Here's how:
- Paint your walls. Paint your walls a warm color - and make it bold. Children love bright colors and it will be a room they will love if they have a say in the color selection.
- Hide the sofa. For a fresher look, cover the sofa with a solid bedspread. Bedspreads are more substantial than sheets and you can find them in chenille or other textured fabrics. The bedspread can easily be washed so you don't have to worry about spills.
- Out of sight. Invest in ottomans with storage space inside. They are the right side for children to use as seating and games or craft suppies can be stored out of sight.
- Box it up. If you can't find ottomans, use an old trunk or two wooden boxes with removable lids for a combination storage and coffee table. Top with removable cushions when they are needed as seating.
- Bring in the bedroom. Use bedside table in the place of end tables. Bedside tables usually have more storage that traditional end tables.
- Back it up. Place a low bookcase against the back of the sofa for storage for games and supplies. If necessary, you can also use it as a lamp table.
- Table it. Search thrift stores for an old wooden dining table. Use it in the family room for a family craft and art space. It will also be a perfect board game space. Paint the table and if it's in your budget, have a piece of glass cut to the size of the table top. Lay family art projects on the tabletop and cover with glass. It will be a bright and personalized art table.
- Hang loose. Buy one or two of those shoe storage bags that hang on the back of the door. Hang them on your wall instead and use the pockets to store pencils, crayons, brushes, paints and other craft supplies for projects.
- Framing the family. Spend an evening doing family art projects, mat with plain black mats, and frame with inexpensive frames. Use to decorate the walls of the family room.
- Throw it. Make sure there are a lot of big throw pillows for children to use on the floor. Kids love to watch TV while laying on the floor.
Make use of these simple ideas to make your room truly a "family" room - bright, cheerful, and kid-friendly.
