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Family Rooms

If you already have a family room it may need a little organizing to accommodate your needs. First start by clearing everything out of the family room that doesn't belong and put it away this will clear the clutter. Wow! That looks nice already! Okay, decide what you want to do in the family room. Is it a game room, study room, TV room, or a craft room or all of the above? Once you decide what you need you are ready to go.

First decide what you can do within your budget. Face lifting the original furniture can be done with a color change using throw pillows, slip covers for the couch, and chairs... also window consider coverings. Another way to assist in your family room is to decide what furniture you want in there. It may be as simple as adding a wall unit that can accommodate the TV, DVD, stereo system and can hold your tapes, CD's books and more. By putting organization in your family room it will free up more space for you and your family to do activities together or a place to enjoy each other. This is one of the most used areas of the home. Have fun with it! Let everyone participate and make this a family project.

If you do not have a family room, consider converting the garage into the family room. Please verify what permits are needed, if any. To convert the garage to look more like a family room you may want to replace the window with a larger one or add a French door to replace the service door. To create warmth apply dry wall or paneling to the exposed beams, and moldings or even build-in bookcases. By doing this to the garage it will disguise what it was before. Add an entertainment center, furniture, book cases, game tables, lamps, reading chairs, table to do crafts on and so forth. This is your room so decide what your needs are. It is a lot of fun to have the family assist in decorating. Everyone can be involved. This is a fun project for the entire family.

Hiring a decorator

Wow! Now its time to tackle the family room. Once all the items are removed that don't belong you can call someone to assist you in decorating. The decorator will come out and discuss the use of the room so they can accommodate you and your family's needs. The decorator will bring color swatches to assist in color matching and co-ordination. Adding an entertainment center, book cases, craft table, throw pillows, window coverings may be discussed as options. A job may be as simple as just reorganizing the room and painting the walls for the fresh new look or as complex and expensive as you want to go. Depending on your budget and your family needs the decorator will assist you.

If you are converting the garage it may be easier to hire a decorator to do the job. If you have had no experience with drywall, paneling replacing windows and doors, leave the job to the experts. This will be less of a headache and less time consuming (and frustrating) for you. Decide what you want done with the budget you have.

The advantage in hiring a decorator is that there is less stress on you. You leave the decorating to the decorator after you hire them. The decorator schedules the job and is done in that time period. Only do what your budget can allow. When the job is done enjoy the family room.