15 Tips To Create The Perfect Family Chill-out Space At Home
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Image | IKEA
The living room is the social hub and primary entertainment space of the home.
Catering to the needs of all family members without pulling your hair out is a task that requires honing your organisation skills and thinking outside of the box!
With the right management of furniture, storage, and accessories, everyone can enjoy the living room in harmony.
Here are some tips to help you create the perfect chill-out space for all the family!
1. DESIGNATE A PLAY AREA
Image | Dotmaison
There are numerous ways to organise the living room to serve the older members of the family, whether it’s desk space for home-working, watching TV, playing console games, or just general lounging.
However, organising a designated area for the little ones with living room storage solutions is just as important, if not more so.
For families with young children, the living room will most likely be the biggest and busiest indoor playing area for children, but with smart organising living room strategies and toy storage solutions, it doesn’t have to mean the messiest.
No one wants to come home from a hard day’s work, take a well-deserved seat on the sofa, only to realise (very quickly) that they’ve sat on a wooden tractor, ouch! Tidying up can prevent these painful surprises.
So having their own little space with storage for their toys means you get to relax whilst keeping an eye on them.
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2. CUSHIONS + THROWS
Image | John Lewis
There are not many accessories that can express cosy as effortlessly, casually and cheaply as cushions and throws can.
Sometimes we just want something warm and soft to wrap up in on the sofa, like throw pillows, and some cushions to snuggle and sink into, which can also offer extra back support.
From cylindrical or rectangular bolsters and knot-shaped cushions to traditional square cushions, mixing up different shapes can be fun and inject your space with creative decor ideas.
However, be mindful that decorative cushions that are sequined, tasselled, or velvet, for example, may face some challenges in the looks department after a while if you have a busy family living room with children and/or pets.
But these types of cushions are great for prettifying the sofa on special occasions.
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3. DISPLAY FAMILY PHOTOS
Image | John Lewis
We’re all living in an age where we keep most family pictures of our loved ones on our smartphones and computers, which are great options to store pictures especially if you have lots.
However, having some family photos displayed in the living room allows for some instant appreciation of those special moments we may likely forget about if those pictures are among thousands of others in a phone gallery.
Having photos in a family setting like the family room can open up some conversation and perhaps humorously go down memory lane.
For me, I love walking into my living room and seeing pictures of my son on display, which helps to always remember what’s really important and is a real mood-booster, fostering family activities.
In fact, studies by psychologists have shown that children who grew up in a home with pictures displayed, had greater confidence and a sense of belonging. compared to those who didn’t. I think this feeling of comfort extends to any loved one though, even a friend or partner.
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4. INCORPORATE LARGE SCATTER CUSHIONS OR BEANBAGS
These slouchy and versatile seating options, like comfortable chairs and floor cushions, are the perfect answer when creating a completely informal space.
Besides, not everyone wants to chill on the sofa and may want a completely detached seat of their own to sprawl out on.
Here are a few things to consider:
If you are looking for warmth, opt for beanbag covers that are chunky-knit, corduroy, cotton or velvet as opposed to leather or nylon which can feel quite cold to the touch.
Gaming bean bags are great for..well..gaming! They are ergonomically designed for optimum comfort with a fixed high back and seat.
You could also consider a pouffe which is similar to beanbags in that they are usually filled with polystyrene balls too, but pouffes are square-shaped and structurally firmer, so they can be used as a footrest as well as seating.
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5. OPT FOR WARM EARTHY HUES
Image | Dulux
Are you and your family members a bit more mellow?
If so, why not choose colours that are perfect for winding down? Colours in our environment can have a great impact on our emotions, a bit like how the weather can affect our mood.
Warm and earthy hues invoke feelings of serenity and calm. Moody greens represent renewal and harmony while toasty oranges & wood browns instantly warm the room and create both an intimate and relaxed atmosphere without looking dull.
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6. UTILISE WALL SPACE FOR STORAGE
Boost storage organisation with handy wall-mounted baskets.
They come in various sizes and colours so you can easily integrate them into your decor as effective storage solutions. They instantly create more floor space making them the go-to for practicality and tidiness in any room.
Use these storage containers to gather up miscellaneous items like spare batteries, magazines, games, and soft toys for the little ones - result!
You could even assign a piece of storage furniture as a basket to each family member, and save yourself a headache!
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7. CREATE A READING NOOK
Image | Alec Hemer
Being in the same common area as your family, especially if you have a big family, can be loud and chaotic at times.
If you or a family member are on the quieter side, you could designate a small space or spare corner in your home library for some peaceful and soothing activities like reading a book, magazine or taking a nap. It could even be the ideal spot for nursing a baby to sleep.
Overall, a reading nook with a strategically placed bookshelf will ensure the bookworm has their own preferred activity to indulge in yet doesn’t feel left out.
Here is a simple list of all the things you need to create a reading nook, including bookshelves:
Comfortable seating
Lamp or good natural light source
Side table
Storage for the books
Books!
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8. HAVE A GALLERY WALL
Image | Desenio
Staring at blank walls is uninspiring and with little chance of being able to gaze at extraordinary art pieces from the likes of Michelangelo or Claude Monet - why not bring the museum home with some amazing home decor, such as wall art posters or pictures instead?
They are such an easy way to creatively inject some colour and pattern into a room makeover, they essentially create an accent wall - becoming a focal point. You could even display artwork from members of the family.
There are tons of affordable prints out there that can easily be framed, you’ll find a great selection of ready-made gallery walls at Desenio, you can also head over to Etsy and shop great gallery sets directly from the designers.
It’s not hard to see why many people love gallery walls, in fact, they are popular in all rooms of a home.
Quick tip: Different but cohesive images in varying-sized frames look the most artistic!
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9. ADD TECHNOLOGY
Image | Samsung
Adding audiovisual equipment into a family living space may not seem like the best idea for engaging with each other, especially when young children and teenagers are about, there’s an ongoing battle of screen time in many households these days, even in my own home.
It pains me to say, but transforming your living room into an entertainment centre has many benefits (I’ll have to make sure my son doesn’t read this post!)
It’s lots of fun playing interactive video games together on a game console, communicating with family and friends that aren’t present through webcam apps like Zoom and Facebook Portal, and gathering around to watch a good movie on Netflix (you could even create your own family home cinema), asking Alexa for help, listening to music on Spotify (and looking out for the worst dancer in the room).
But of course, everything in moderation!
BUY TECH FOR THE FAMILY
10. ADD EXCITING COLOURS & PATTERNS
There’s no denying that bright colours revitalise a room.
If you need a vibrant space to lift your spirits, why not brighten up your living room?
Cleverly mixed greens, blues and yellows create a fresh botanical and lively living space for the whole family that brings a sense of fun.
If you’re not feeling bold enough to go bright with the walls or furniture, you could try incorporating accents of vivid colours with decor ideas in the room instead.
Cushions and throws, or even blankets, are great for doing this, and if you’re not feeling it after a while - they are easy to change.
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11. KEEP SEATING INTERACTIVE
Image | Romanek Design Studio
The cosiest place to sit down and have a chat with friends and family during family gatherings is in the living room, so by arranging the seating into a U-shape or ‘horseshoe’, everyone will be able to see, hear and interact with each other equally.
This seating format is great for larger rooms or when trying to focus the attention on a centrepiece in the middle of the seating area, like a coffee table or decorative centrepiece.
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12. USE FAMILY-FRIENDLY FLOORING
Image | Coniston Collection, in Blea, from £43.99- £84.99 per m sq, Carpetright
Flooring is not something we want to (or can afford to) change on a regular basis, so striking the right balance between practicality and aesthetics is crucial for home maintenance, with such a wide range of flooring options, picking one can be quite challenging.
There are some choices more popular than others that can stand the test of time, which include hardwood flooring, laminate flooring, and rug carpet.
The only downside to hardwood flooring is that it’s hard (obviously) so not the most comfortable underfoot, but you could just consider adding rugs for a softer touch.
However, hardwood flooring is probably the best option when looking for child-friendly and durable flooring. It is a non-toxic material, easy to clean, and non-porous, which means it inhibits bacterial growth, making it a top choice for hardwood flooring.
Good laminate flooring has several advantages that make it the perfect choice for a living room. It is an easy-to-clean material that is hypoallergenic, resistant to scratches and reduces sound, ensuring that laminate flooring should last between 15-25 years.
A high-pile rug carpet definitely makes a room cosier and warmer. Carpets with a low pile are more dense and flat, which makes them easier to clean and less likely to pick up as much dirt, debris, and hair compared to a high pile rug carpet.
The nylon carpet, known for its stain resistance and durability, tends to be the most popular choice for homes with active children and pets, offering both affordability and long-lasting quality.
A wool rug is also a great option, boasting a luxuriously soft feel and the ability to withstand heavy foot traffic. However, it requires regular cleaning to maintain its condition and is not the best at resisting stains.
Carpet should last about 10-15 years but properly cared for carpet can easily last 20+ years.
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13. ADD A CHALK WALL
Image | IKEA
This one probably would’ve benefited my mum when I was a child!
Before my mum redecorated my bedroom, I turned the walls into a canvas for my creativity, and, confident in my artistic skills, I even extended my artwork to the living room, which quickly became a messy room after that room was decorated too!
So, if you have young children who spend a lot of their time playing and 'decorating' the living room with kids’ toys, a chalkboard wall is a smart idea.
There are three great ways to incorporate a chalkboard wall.
1. Chalkboard Paint— Yes! There are innovative paints that can turn a wall into a writable canvas for chalk. This special paint can be applied to a variety of surfaces including wood, drywall, metal, concrete, and glass, making it an excellent addition to a toy organiser area. You can grab Rust-Oleum chalkboard paint from Homebase for just £15.25.
Quick Tip: Just make sure the surface you are going to apply this paint to is super smooth and completely even. You’ll also need at least two coats.
2. Magnetic Chalkboard — These can come in many different sizes and shapes. They can be hung on your wall using the small pre-drilled holes on both sides, which often come with screw covers. You can get magnetic chalkboards from Kalamitica with prices starting as low as £5.99.
3. Self-Adhesive Chalkboard Wall Decal Sticker — If the first two options don't appeal to you, consider decal stickers for toy organisation. They are easy to apply and remove without leaving damage and can be customised by cutting to create multiple chalkboards or combined for a larger one. Vinyl Impression you can get a 60 x 100cm chalkboard wall sticker for £20.
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14. CREATE A CREATIVE WORK ZONE
Image | IKEA
Many of us are working from home due to the pandemic, so you may already have a home office space set up in your home, which is not only great for being able to work efficiently, but can also function as an art desk or workspace for homework.
Desks in the home office don’t have to look clinical either; they can blend in beautifully with the other furniture in the room, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
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15. A BIT OF GREENERY
Use greenery to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.
Not only are indoor plants refreshing and affordable decor items for your home office, but they also bring a sense of renewal and help to de-stress, which is always beneficial in a family setting, right?
A “clean air study” carried out by NASA in 1989 revealed that indoor plants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in 24 hours, they also release oxygen, improve concentration, and enhance mood and productivity.
So the benefits of indoor plants go far beyond their visual beauty, and there are 10 indoor plants, in particular, that could do wonders for you, your family and your home.
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Let me know in the comments if there’s anything that you think makes the perfect chill-out space for your family.
