The family room is a room for many uses. Whether you are watching television, playing games, or just gathering for conversation, your family room should be a relaxing atmosphere designed as a multi-purpose room.

Most family rooms are designed around a media center with a television, stereo, game systems, or your family computer. And with all these electronics comes movies, CD's, or games. It is essential to have storage for these items with good organization. there are many pieces of furniture specifically built for organizing these items. A lot of entertainment centers are designed to hold not only the television, but separate space to store DVD's, stereo's, or video games.

However, the flat screen television has become more popular, especially since it doesn't take up so much space. A lot of homes have the flat screen television mounted to the wall, especially over the fireplace as the focal point of the room. You can even purchase different style frames for your flat screen television for added decor. In this case, when the television is mounted to the wall, separate storage pieces can be used for your movies and such. DVD/CD racks, or shelves which mount to or lean on the wall are great options for storage.

But don't get too wrapped up in trying to make your television or media center the focal point in your family room. It isn't really necessary. Really, almost everyone has a television now, so why make it your focal point when it really isn't a special piece? It isn't the focal point in my family room. I just prefer to have a nice ornate mirror or large framed photos above my couch, with decorative candle sconces on each side. Having decorative lamps on end tables that are on each side of the couch help pull together the focal point. Large figures or statues, or large vases with artificial floral or bamboo stems can be used at one end of your sofa instead of having lamps at each end.

Whatever style or color scheme you use to decorate your family room, be sure to keep it comfortable. I wouldn't recommend formal style furniture in your family room since it is a gathering room where people want to relax. And remember, in a room where many gather, there are more spots and stains. Choose furniture with upholstry that is stain resistant or with covers that are easy to remove and wash. Upholstry with dark colors or having leather furniture are great choices for a family room. Adding ottomans or foot rests are also nice pieces to prop your feet up, and they provide extra seating when you
have a lot of people filling the room.

Decorating a family room is very easy. Framed family photos add a nice touch and are great conversation starters when you have guests visiting. Also, neatly placing books on your coffee or end tables will provide reading material when you want to turn the television off, and have a quiet place for reading. And, add a few throws or afghans, not only to add color, but to warm up and relax while watching a movie or reading a good book! And, if you decide to serve food in your family area, having snack tables or serving trays with stands will not only keep the food off of your nice furniture, but are very easy to clean up. And most of these trays with stands can be folded and conveniently stored away.

Using these ideas will create a family room designed for a large group of people to entertain, for a few to gather and have conversation, or for one just to kick back and relax with a good book. Whatever the purpose, make it a multi functional space that is comfortable and includes your own personal style!

Coastal cottage decor is chic and comfort all rolled into one. Chippy paint furniture, whimsical beach themed designs and easy to care for fabrics make this a perfect choice for the family room.

Regardless of your current decor you can get the cottage style in your family room with a few simple changes, like new flooring, accessories and slipcovers for the furniture. When redecorating, especially if you have a tight budget, you want to think about inexpensive changes that make a big impact such as wall paint and decorative accessories.

What's on your floor can add to the design theme, but if new floors aren't in the budget for your family room then work with what you have by covering them with area rugs that have a cottage style or a sisal rug if you are going for a more contemporary feel. If you are lucky enough to be able to afford new floors, you might consider light stained wood and soften it up a bit with area rugs.

Decorative accessories are important to pulling your coastal cottage style design together. Concentrate on buying pillows, wall art and knick knacks, in colors that remind you of the coast - tans, whites and blues work well with this theme. You'll be amazed at how easy and cheap it is, and what a huge difference these changes make! Be certain to include lots of sea shells in shallow bowls (you can even add in some beach sand!) as well as plants and you might even try certain chippy painted items like old newel posts or porch posts to add some punch to your family room. Additional touches like nautical themed pieces can add a unique touch.

The most important change to consider when decorating your family room with a coastal cottage style décor interior design is your wall paint. For this style the room colors make a big difference - you should consider using soft muted tans and whites either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a paint in light colors like white, light yellow and light blue on the walls, or use a simple beach themed stencil. If you want a New England look, go for wainscoting halfway up the walls.

It's not critical that you have matching furniture but the family room should have a variety of pieces that are overstuffed and comfortable and sport fabrics that are easy to clean. Slipcovers go great with this informal cottage style. To really showcase this style, try pieces with chippy paint in white, light green or light blue.

Lighting is critical in most rooms and the family room is no exception. To match your cottage style décor, you might want to look at light fixtures in terms of both style and type. While you will be going for a cottage design, you would want to take a look at installing overhead ceiling fans in a white finish or using nautical themed hanging lights or simple chandeliers. Try clear glass lamps filled with sea shells for the side tables but try to shy away from anything which is heavy or dark lighting.

An important area that is frequently ignored when decorating your house is the wall space. Even the ugliest walls can be smashing by using decorative wall art and accessories. Try applying watercolors of the seaside or floral prints in chippy white frames to your family room walls to enhance the comfy feeling of your cottage decorating style.

Attaining a fabulous coastal cottage look in your family room can be as basic as just buying new decorative accessories or as involved as doing a total room remake. Either way, working on the details and coordinating your furniture and decorative accessories will help you coordinate a magnificent new cottage style décor look that will add comfort as well as style!