7 Things You Must Never Have In a FAMILY ROOM – let’s take a look.
7 Things You Must Never Have In a FAMILY ROOM
It’s essential that your family room is not only comfortable and welcoming but also free of items that can detract from its functionality, aesthetic, and overall atmosphere. Whether you’re updating your existing space or starting from scratch, there are certain things you must never have in a family room. In this guide, we’ll explore the seven biggest mistakes to avoid and offer expert tips for creating a space that’s stylish, functional, and clutter-free.
1. Overly Large Furniture: Don’t Let Scale Ruin the Flow
One of the most common mistakes people make when designing a family room is choosing oversized furniture that overwhelms the space. While you might love that big, plush sectional, it’s important to ensure it fits the scale of the room. Furniture that’s too large can make the space feel cramped and uncomfortable, limiting movement and creating an imbalance in the room’s design.
Why You Should Never Have Oversized Furniture in a Family Room:
Furniture that takes up too much space can make the room feel crowded and difficult to navigate. Instead of creating a cozy, open environment, it may end up feeling like a maze. It’s essential to choose pieces that suit both the size of the room and the needs of your family.
Expert Tip: Martha Stewart suggests selecting furniture that enhances your space’s flow while offering the comfort you need. Consider choosing sectional sofas with removable pieces or modular options that allow for flexibility in arranging and adjusting based on your space’s size.
2. Excessive Clutter: Keep Your Family Room Tidy and Organized
Clutter is a major disruptor of any family space. While it’s easy to accumulate items like toys, magazines, or extra blankets, having too many things lying around can make your family room feel chaotic and stressful. Excessive clutter not only makes the space look disorganized but also limits its functionality.
Why You Should Never Have Excessive Clutter in a Family Room:
A cluttered family room prevents you from truly relaxing and enjoying the space. It can also make it difficult to clean, which creates more stress when maintaining the area. A tidy and organized family room promotes a sense of calm and helps ensure the room is truly functional for your family’s needs.
Expert Tip: To avoid clutter, use storage solutions like coffee tables with hidden compartments, storage ottomans, and shelving units to keep everything organized. Martha Stewart emphasizes the importance of maintaining an organized living space to promote relaxation and harmony at home.
3. Dark, Heavy Curtains: Let Natural Light Shine Through
While window treatments can add a stylish touch to your family room, heavy, dark curtains should be avoided. Dark fabrics block out natural light and can make your space feel gloomy and smaller. Instead, embrace light, airy window treatments that allow natural light to fill the room, enhancing its overall mood and energy.
Why You Should Never Have Dark, Heavy Curtains in a Family Room:
Dark curtains absorb light, making the space feel heavier and less inviting. When you’re creating a family room, natural light is crucial to the overall ambiance of the room. Lack of light can also affect your mood and energy, creating an environment that’s not conducive to family gatherings or relaxation.
Expert Tip: Opt for sheer curtains, light-colored drapes, or blinds that can be easily adjusted to control the amount of light coming into the room. Focus on window treatments that bring in light and can be easily managed based on your family’s needs.
4. Too Many Decorative Items: Keep It Simple and Balanced
Decorative pieces can bring personality and warmth to a family room, but too many can quickly overwhelm the space. Items like excessive throw pillows, knick-knacks, and ornate decorations can distract from the room’s main features, making the space feel crowded and chaotic.
Why You Should Never Have Too Many Decorative Items:
When it comes to decorating your family room, less is often more. Too many items can compete for attention, creating a cluttered aesthetic that doesn’t feel cohesive. It’s important to keep the design balanced by choosing a few key pieces that highlight the room’s overall theme without overwhelming it.
Expert Tip: Choose decorative items that serve both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Consider placing a few statement pieces, like a stylish vase or framed artwork, while leaving space for the room to breathe. Martha Stewart advises carefully curating your decor so it complements the room’s overall vibe without overcrowding it.
5. Large, Obtrusive Electronics: Hide Technology for a Cleaner Look
In today’s modern world, electronics play a significant role in family rooms. However, large, obtrusive TVs, gaming consoles, and wires can take away from the room’s aesthetic and make it feel more like a media center than a family space. While electronics are necessary for entertainment, it’s important to keep them discreet and organized.
Why You Should Never Have Large, Obtrusive Electronics:
A large TV or a tangle of wires can disrupt the harmony of your family room design. When electronics take center stage, they can make the room feel less inviting and distract from the cozy, comfortable vibe you’re aiming for. Instead, integrate technology into your space in a way that complements the design.
Expert Tip: Hide electronics inside cabinets or entertainment centers with doors to keep them out of sight when not in use. Choose furniture pieces that are both stylish and functional, like media consoles with built-in storage for devices and cables. Martha Stewart suggests creating a design that allows electronics to blend in with the overall style of the room.
6. Uncomfortable Seating: Prioritize Comfort for Relaxation
The family room is a space for relaxation and bonding, so having uncomfortable seating can seriously impact the room’s functionality. Uncomfortable chairs, sofas, or cushions can turn your cozy family room into an area you avoid spending time in.
Why You Should Never Have Uncomfortable Seating in a Family Room:
When it comes to family rooms, comfort should always come first. If the seating isn’t comfortable, it can make the room less inviting and less conducive to spending quality time together. It’s important to choose furniture that allows everyone to sit and relax comfortably for long periods of time.
Expert Tip: Choose seating with plush cushions and supportive backs to ensure comfort. Opt for sofas with durable, high-quality fabrics and pieces that offer flexibility in arrangement. Martha Stewart emphasizes the importance of balancing comfort and style, ensuring that the family room remains a functional and inviting space.
7. Overly Trendy Pieces: Invest in Timeless, Versatile Furniture
While it’s tempting to jump on the latest trends, incorporating too many overly trendy pieces into your room can lead to a space that feels outdated in just a few years. Trendy furniture can also be harder to integrate into a space as your style evolves, which means you’ll be forced to constantly replace items to keep up with the trends.
Why You Should Never Have Overly Trendy Pieces in a Family Room:
Overly trendy pieces can make your family room feel temporary and unbalanced. Instead of investing in short-lived trends, focus on timeless and versatile furniture that can withstand the test of time. This will allow your family room to maintain its appeal even as trends come and go.
Expert Tip: When selecting furniture and decor, choose pieces that are both classic and versatile, allowing you to adapt the design over time. Martha Stewart advises focusing on quality and timeless style, ensuring that your family room remains functional and appealing for years to come.
Conclusion – 7 Things You Must Never Have In a FAMILY ROOM
Designing a family room requires careful thought and consideration to ensure that the space is functional, comfortable, and visually appealing. By avoiding these seven common mistakes—oversized furniture, excessive clutter, dark curtains, too many decorative items, obtrusive electronics, uncomfortable seating, and overly trendy pieces—you can create a family room that enhances the comfort and functionality of your home. Remember to prioritize comfort, organization, and timeless style to build a space your family will love for years to come.
