Family Room
From play dates and sleepovers to poker nights and Super Bowl parties, the modern family room supports a variety of functions including entertainment, entertaining, library and electronic research, and as haven from exterior stresses.
The evolution of the functional family room is tied to technology. When designing the family room in a new home or remodel project, evaluate technology use early in the planning.
Think system: entertainment, sound, game, computer, lighting, or even security systems.
- Computer systems can link television, DVD viewing, and broadcast recording, as well as deliver radio, television and CD sound.
- Viewing screens and projector televisions can be recessed until use, allowing other focus areas to enhance the decor during other family room functions.
- Controlled light systems offer presets for routine activities such as board game or movie nights while allowing the versatility to use lights in specific ways as need arises.
- Include motorized window treatments as potential members of the lighting system.
- Utilize a remote to open, close or adjust shades or blinds.
- Window treatments are the most effective way to keep light from interfering with television or computer screen viewing.
Advancing technology plays such a large role in family room use that new home designs have shifted from space to accommodate large entertainment centers to media closets that compactly organize the growing number of system components.
To expand the family room concept further:
- Utilize living space in an updated laundry room by including worktops for messy or ongoing projects that will not be visible to visitors. Teamed with the laundry area, family members give attention to projects while completing necessary chores.
- A home theatre space peacefully coexists with a fitness and workout area by utilizing creative storage and multipurpose seating.