Families are spending more time at home together right now than they have in decades, and while they may not have volunteered for this new togetherness, many have found it a powerful experience. At the same time, though, many families have also discovered that their homes\u2019 communal spaces don\u2019t quite meet their needs. If you\u2019re currently questioning how you\u2019ve styled your family room, consider making these four simple swaps. Such easy adjustments can turn a room from stiff and formal to fun and family-oriented, with no major renovations required.<\/p>\n
Most homes don\u2019t have room to create a game room<\/a>, but that just means other spaces in the home need to leave room for play – and that\u2019s true even if you don\u2019t have small children. Prioritize playfulness by creating space to store toys, puzzles, and board games and making sure there\u2019s a table within reach where everyone can gather around, even if you have to toss in an extra leaf when it\u2019s called upon. We recommend adding vertical storage<\/a> so that you can highlight more stylish pieces like family photos at eye level, while keeping the toys down low, making it easy for little hands to put things away.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason so many stories and movies feature carefully styled fireplace mantles, and it\u2019s because they make a striking visual centerpiece for any home. That\u2019s why, if your mantel isn\u2019t pulling its weight, either in terms of form or function, it\u2019s time for an upgrade. It\u2019s particularly easy to install a new mantle shelf<\/a> for displaying family keepsakes or, if you\u2019re up for more of a project, you might consider a built-in bookcase mantle. While great for more artistic displays, the right mantle can go a long way towards meeting your family\u2019s storage needs.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just people who have been spending more time together lately – since the start of the pandemic, a growing number of families have adopted new pets, and they need space to hang out, too. You can seamlessly integrate spaces for your pets in the living or family room by installing pet beds inside side tables<\/a>, adding cat perches to the walls or windows, and even opting for slyly disguised litterboxes. With these simple tricks, you get to keep the pets nearby while maintaining the room\u2019s aesthetic appeal.<\/p>\nMind Your Mantel<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Include The Pets<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Master Minimalism<\/strong><\/h2>\n