Top FAQ’s to help you Design the Perfect Family Living Room

The family living room is often where most of the action takes place and serves as a multi-purpose space. 

From a kid's play area, working space, reading nook to a family movie night home theatre, that one room covers them all. Thus, the family living room is where you relax and bond casually with family (and close friends, of course).

Given that you spend a significant part of your time in the family living room, it has to be made as comfortable and stylish as possible. From proper seating arrangements to well-curated storage spaces, pet spaces, and play surfaces for kids, learn how to design the perfect family living room with these FAQs.

Designing the Perfect Family Living Room to Lounge in Style – FAQs

The living room and the living room may sound synonymous, but the family living room differs in certain subtle aspects. For instance, the living room (also known as the front room) is often the first room after walking in through the door and is more formal, while the family room is located inside and is more casual. So their design and decor are considerably different. Many people are confused when it comes to distinguishing between the two and designing the family living differently. 

FAQs and their answers for designing the perfect Family Living Room

#1. Furniture:

What is the Type of Furniture that one should invest in in a Family Living Room, and how does it Differ from the Main Living Room Furniture??

The living room, as mentioned above, is generally a formal area where one entertains guests. Hence, the furniture is more traditional and formal with high-end couches, beautiful centre tables, side tables, high-end light fixtures, and formal art pieces. Family rooms are supposed to be more laid back and cosy, and also kid-friendly. Hence, the furniture should include more casual couches and recliners. 

Various combinations of individual seaters like stools, armchairs, etc., are must-haves. The idea is they can be placed wherever required so that there are different seating options to choose from, and each person gets his/her own private space in the family living room. This way, everyone has a place to spread out or curl up according to their choice. Also, look for furniture that doubles as storage. 

Since family living spaces are supposed to be kid-friendly, a rocker is a great piece of furniture for lulling the little ones to a nap. Further, rockers can fit well into the reading nook. So find one that perfectly fits in the space so that you can use it as a reading spot by the window as well. 

Also, furniture with flat surfaces is a must, especially in smaller family living rooms. This is because kids need a flat surface to play, and one can incorporate such play surfaces by way of a flat leather bench or flat-surfaced ottoman. 

Ensure that the flat furniture is coupled with storage options so that you can stow away the toys easily at the end of the day inside these flat furniture pieces. De-cluttering is thus a minute’s job.

#2. Fabric:

What is the type of fabric that best suits the family living?

Choose fabrics that are woven or have bright designs in them as these are more likely to hide any stains than smooth upholstery. Add comfortable throws and cosy pillows in various sizes, textures, and colours as one might be spending a lot of time on the floor with the kids in the family living.

Most important, with kids jumping around, don’t forget to add washable slipcovers for sofas as they make cleaning easy.

#3.Space Concept

A. How do I make space for all family activities?

First, make an account of all the family activities commonly undertaken and carve out spaces for each. For instance, you can make the spaces multifunctional by providing hidden storage spaces for hanging coats, baskets, and home footwear. 

One can also incorporate a daybed. The advantage is that a daybed has a good backrest, and one can sit relaxed and work on the bed during the day (kids can play board games on them as well), and since they are broad, one can also enjoy an afternoon siesta on the bed. Opt for day beds with storage as they keep your family living clutter-free. 

Another important aspect is making space for charging stations as most kids are quite adept in mobiles, laptops, and gaming. 

In many cases, since the family living room doubles as a work-from-home office, create a separate niche area for work from home. Make a streamlined bookshelf and a huge coffee table for throwing in magazines. The coffee table can also double as a laptop table. 

Create a small reading nook by placing a lounge chair beside the window sill to curl up with your favourite book.

If you have a musically inclined family member who plays the piano, guitar, etc., try to create a corner area for placing the piano and few seats around it for viewers. Guitars, for instance, can be hung on the wall and a small seat placed beneath to sit and play.

The whole idea is to carve out various functions within the total family space by breaking down the seating arrangement to give each and everyone their personal space. In other words, you have to zone down the room to bring in a purpose for each area.

Next, try to use vertical space by installing tall cupboards so that essential items are not within reach of kids.

If you plan to have a TV, a wall-mounted option would be a space saver. You can have some floating shelves for stowing away the remotes keys, etc.

Finally, incorporate various forms of lighting to suit various activities.

B. How do I give kids their space?

Suppose space permits install a bench or create a separate area beside the window for kids. Not only do they get some sunshine, but they also get to peek outside at nature and the outside world and read a book or two beside the window in natural light. Plus, they also double up as an activity space for young ones to make their painting or drawing or play with their building blocks.

One can also install a hanging chair or a swing so that kids can have their playful niche area while simultaneously conversing with adults.

Install flat surfaces (as mentioned above) like a flat-surfaced pouffe or a small bench as a kid-level play surface.

C. What about spaces for pets?

Well, pets need their own spaces too. One can be innovative here. You can convert an oversized side table into a cosy hideaway for pets. Install cosy cushioned upholstery to the cabinet's interior and detach the doors, and voila! You have a new pet house.

#4. Paint

What colour do I choose for the family living walls?

While your colour palette is wide with umpteen choices, ensure that you use a satin or stain-resistant paint when painting the walls. One can also use semi-gloss paints in these high-traffic areas. This is because they are washable and scrubbable.

#5. Artwork and Accessories

How do I accessorise the family living room?

Unlike the main living room, where you use formal accessories and artwork, one can use large-scale family portraits, place heirlooms, souvenirs of the past, or frame kids' artwork in the family living room. If you have a green thumb, add house plants to bring more life to the room.

#6. The Intimacy Aspect

How do I establish intimacy in the family living room?

One can create a glass slider door to make the space more personal. Creating an accent wall with a different colour is bound to create a feeling of intimacy in space visually.

Finally, do incorporate various forms of lighting like accent lighting, task lighting, focus lights, etc., to suit different activities. Proper lighting gives that much-needed ambience and personality to any family living room. So choose a combination of various types of lights, from soft floor lights to bright ceiling lights, so that you can light up space according to your mood.

Following the above tips will help you transform your high traffic family room into a sanctuary of calm for each and every one.

Get in touch with our expert designers to give your home the perfect cosy, family vibes.