Family Room Design Plan
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure PolicyIt’s finally time to tackle a few indoor projects. First up, a design plan for my family room.
It’s hard to believe it’s officially fall. It’s even harder to believe I’ve already been in my new home for more than three months. While I’ve made a lot of progress, I had wanted to be further along by now. Even though things haven’t panned out exactly as planned, I’m allowing myself a little latitude and moving forward with excitement.
With the holiday season sneaking up on us, there are two big spaces I would like to tackle: my family room and my den.
Family Room Design Plan:
These spaces function fine with the furnishings I had in my apartment, but they just aren’t what I envision in this house. We’ll save the living room for another day. Today I want to talk about my family room design plan.
As I mentioned before, this is my favorite room in the house. It’s probably where I spend most of my time. And while I’m dreaming of big fires on cool fall days and frigid winter nights, the space isn’t very cozy yet.
Here are my current issues with the room…
- Without any windows on the back wall, it’s a dark room. I don’t really mind it, but I would like to brighten things up with furnishings.
- I’ve discovered I don’t like the leather couch. It’s either cold or sticky. I’d rather have fabric against my skin than cold, sticky leather. Also, this couch seems a bit too large for the space.
- The TV cable runs from the closet (to the right of the fireplace) across the floor to the TV. (The cable has been edited out of these photos so you can’t see it.)
- There isn’t enough seating. I went back and forth on the layout of this room. It’s challenging. However, I think I’ve come up with a good solution.
With all of that in mind, here’s my plan for the space:
#Bayberrry House Family Room Design Plan:
To give you an idea of what I’m thinking, I have a couple inspiration images. (Coincidentally, both of these inspiration photos are Christmas related, but that works since the holiday will be here soon, and I’m already thinking about where to put the Christmas tree.)
The first image is from Brian Patrick Flynn. (He’s awesome btw; you should give him a follow on Instagram.)
Image Credit: Brian Patrick Flynn
The skeleton of the room is obviously different, but this image gave me the idea to do two matching sofas.
I love this idea because it creates comfort for everyone. I noticed that when my Mom visited or a friend was over for a movie, I gave my guest the sofa while I took the chair. Even though I was perfectly comfortable in a chair, it’s nice to nestle on a sofa when watching a movie. (Sometimes you just want to be horizontal, right?) Having, two sofas allows for more coziness.
While we’re looking at this picture, I also should note that the Christmas tree will go to the left of the fireplace behind the sofa (where the cactus is).
Then I stumbled upon this image from the latest Pottery Barn catalog, and it reinforced my decision to do double sofas.
Image Credit: Pottery Barn
So pretty, right?
On the wall opposite the fireplace will be a large console for storage and TV components. I’m also working with my electrician to mount the TV above the console and add a sconce on each side.
For the coffee table, I selected this leather ottoman. The goal for this room is comfort so I thought this could offer additional seating, including a place to sit if you want to be even closer to the fire. It’s also a comfortable place to put your feet up should there be more than one person on the couch. I will add a large tray to the ottoman so there is a surface to place drinks and snacks.
In the design plan above, I did include pieces I’ve already selected for the space. The larger pieces (sofa, ottoman, console) have been ordered and are on their way. I’m still on the hunt for sconces, pillows, and accessories.
(I haven’t linked to anything but will provide sources once everything is in place.)
Other things to note with my Family Room Design Plan:
- For now, I will keep the wall color as is. One wall in this room will get repainted during the kitchen remodel so I may opt for a different color then.
- I’m also considering swapping out the natural wood mantel for a thick white painted slab. I have no intention of painting the brick. However, I think a chunky, white mantle could brighten things up a bit.
- Once the sofas are in place, I will make decisions about side tables and lamps. This could mean a narrow sofa table behind the sofa to the left of the fireplace or a couple small side tables. Neither of the inspiration images has lamps but I do need lamps, so I’ll have to figure out what will work.
- I also need a larger area rug. Although I love this one, it’s just a couple feet too small.
- I’m on the fence about curtains for this room. Right now, I’m digging the no-curtains look.
As I mentioned previously, my design scheme for the entire house is Modern Country Colonial, so I think this plan suits it well. While the larger pieces are neutral, I will incorporate color through the rug, pillows, art, and accessories.
I hope this gives you an idea of what I’m planning. I’ll pop back in when I have updates and more information about the space.
Now, I’m off to find throw pillows!
Beautiful! My favorites are the brick wall and dark floor. Together with white doors and walls are already great place for decorating… And yes the final picture is perfect!
This is a lovely room!! I know you are planning to repaint it, but what color is it now?
I love the fireplace screen. Did that come with house? I would love something similar
Love love love the idea of two couches! Just brilliant!
Hey Michael. Love the new house. I just did 2 sofas in my family room and love it. It gives comfortable setting for more folks ( or for 2 folks to just to lay around). Anyway I can’t wait to see what you come up with . Always beautiful!
Thank you Julie! And yes – that is the goal. I think it will work so nicely!!
xo Michael
Great plan! Wish I had room for two sofas. I do own the Pottery Barn sofa, with off white slipcovers, and I love it (plus it’s super comfy). I’ve never liked leather sofas; I always feel like I’m sliding off! I so enjoy seeing your plans — what fun it’ll be to see the final room! Good luck!
With so much room, I’m thinking 2 sofas could be arranged multiple ways, depending on the use you want at the time. For example: 1) Sofas back to back down the middle of the room, one facing fireplace, one facing TV with potentially a couple of side chairs on each “side” of the room; 2) Sofas placed end to end in a V shape facing either TV (for a FB game gathering) or facing the fireplace (for cocktails and Xmas caroling gathering); 3) sofas facing each other on each side of the room facing the middle for regular everyday usage. That’s just my spurt of creativity. Love your home! This is fascinating watching how you make it your own.
Those are great ideas! It’s always fun to think about rooms in different ways. I think I will mostly keep the sofas facing each other in the center of the room for flow and function, but thanks for so many creative ideas!!
xo Michael
Hi Michael, Over all I like your plan for this room. The idea of facing sofas is genius. Mounting the TV on the wall is the way to go. Two things I’m not crazy about…the naked light bulb sconces and the leather ottoman. When I saw the ottoman I thought army cot. What about an upholstered piece? I’m looking for the “Colonial” in the room. I hope my opinions have not offended you. After all this is your home!
These are great thoughts! I want to keep his room a little more casual as I have a “formal” living room. I think the ottoman will look really great dressed up with a blanket, tray, and books stacked underneath. We’ll see! (But I see what you’re saying about the cot look. Haha.) And yes, the sconces will be different, I just threw those in there as place holders. I’m thinking something a bit more formal.
I love your thoughts and feedback. Thanks for sharing!!
xo Michael
Your room is already lovely and will only be nicer with your two sofa plan. I love the leather ottoman for extra seating. Have you considered adding some mirrors to bounce around the existing natural light?
Yes, I will be adding a mirror to the wall to the right of the fireplace. There’s a small round one there now, but I’ll probably do something larger. Great thought!
xo Michael
It is a beautiful room, can’t wait to see how it looks when done. I have the same painted paneling in my kitchen. It didn’t look bad, but wasn’t for me,so I filled in the groves with sparkle. That was 15 years ago, no problems with it and you can’t tell it isn’t drywall.
I used two white large loveseats and added chairs facing the fireplace at the open and in s recent update of my living room. We love it.
We had off white furniture for a long time and I absolutely loved it. It made our smaller room look larger, brightened it up, and made changing up a room so simple because of the neutral back drop. Even with pets, and our own occasional spills, it It was easier to take care of than people think.
I love your plan. Good luck.
I love your plan! I’m curious if you are planning on replacing the screen on the fireplace. I’d love to see some options on that as I’m not too happy with my current fireplace screen. I’m so glad you’re not painting the brick. I love a painted brick, but your fireplace is gorgeous as-is!
At this point, no. It seems somewhat custom to the opening since it’s so large, but I may consider a change down the road.
xo Michael
We have 2 matching sofas in our living room and I like the layout a lot. It’s very nice for both lounging and conversation.
Now I want two sofas! This is a beautiful plan and I love your inspiration photos. Can’t wait to see the room after you are done!
Shelley
It’s going to be awesome!
I love your new plan! I’m interested to see what happens with lighting as that always seems like to be my sticking point.
Thanks Deb! I love lighting, so I’m sure I’ll come up with a few creative solutions. Stay tuned!
xo Michael