Ok just saw what your wife chose. Very pretty, very restrained. If you take that teal and use it as your accent colour and give your room just a bit of an eclectic, cool vibe you will "win!"

I'm confused -- did the previous owners somehow take the fireplace with them? 0.o

Holy smokes also just saw the floorplan...

Okay. I am cancelling the nook but I really love my recliners and will keep it. I am thinking about ordering the first Rug plus this TV stand for my TV that's coming off the fireplace in the other room. what do you think? Also do you have any ideas for a good looking table?

This could be a very expensive contest. I hope that recliner is comfy for sleeping on it -- if your wife kicks you out of bed for failing it! :-)

C M- You have some good ideas. You've seen some recommendations. Can I be really frank?

The biggest mistakes a homeowner can make in home decor is to "push" to present for guests. I get it- you want your home to look great. But do you really just want a bunch of stuff to fill spaces- for appearances- or do you want a space that is truly personal to you? That takes time and thought.

Been there, done that. I fairly recently moved into a one-off truly custom home. Gorgeous. Very happy. A dear friend of mine had a professional conference near me, and stopped in to see me before heading a bit south. I was so happy to have her! But?

I slapped together a guest room that was crap that I could get quickly. I hated it all, and have since replaced it with the sort of quality decor that fits my home.

That was a relatively expensive lesson. For the $$, I could have taken my friend to a luxury hotel, for a couple of days, had in-room spa services, great dinners and wonderful sleep, followed by an awesome brunch or two in the morning. And she wouldn't have cared.

Take great care on the "hurry-up". Are they coming to see you, or your house? Food for thought,

I'm very confused about the setup - even with the pictures and the floorplan. Can't tell which ones are the old ones and which are the new? Is that your dining room table? Did you pull out carpet and install hardwood? Might be helpful to go back and edit the posts to label each picture with what you are calling it in correlation to what it is denoted on the floor plan.

As to your question about matching the other room, it's certainly not necessary to match but you definitely want to coordinate, like Lindsey said, with complimentary colors/style throughout.

I like the media stand. It's fun and funky but also traditional enough to coordinate with your wife's picks.

I think you are doing yourself a disservice trying to rush things. Get a few key pieces in place but don't bother repainting or doing new window treatments until you see how other elements come together.

If you're asking for help you need, you're not clueless -- you're practical.

Don't rush painting the room, especially if that will be a DIY chore for you -- haste can lead to both mistakes and serious accidents. Let that wait until after your guests leave.

Budget permitting, of course, individual swivel rocker recliners are probably better than a 2 seat sofa recliner piece for a pair of gamers -- elbow room.

Depending upon the ages of those using the room -- children, young teens -- don't discount the possibility of using bean bag chairs (come in different sizes, including for adults) IF you can find some with a sturdy fabric zippered cover over the filling that, preferably, is within another cover.

Do you need a portable table w/o front legs that can be pulled up to a sofa (with the base bar fitting underneath your sofa) for holding your drinks and a bowl of snacks/popcorn? A version of these is sold by Pier 1 Imports:

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Coffee-Sofa-End-Tables/featured/2030/subcat.html?featuredproduct=20254816&featuredoption=13564661&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=16433121-000-000&cnc=US&cid=271143&type=pla&tid=plapltest&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5pS0zM7P2wIVjouzCh2-YwgwEAQYAiABEgKzx_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CI-PptTOz9sCFdELgQodwSEHMw

Comfortable "desk" chairs -- wheels, arms attached to the mesh back, adjustable height (black color) -- can be used for homework/computer/typing as well as gaming and/or tv watching -- and can be had for <$100. (The one I have had for about five years came from Big Lots for <$50; it's comfortable and I still like it). Wheels make them practical for easily moving them where you need them (and for cleaning, too).

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Best-Choice-Products-Ergonomic-Computer-Home-Office-Chair-w-Mesh-Design-Black-w-Chrome-Legs/30492994

There are, of course, more upscale ones, too.

If you need a side table, do you also need a place to store items for which a filing cabinet could be used. A two drawer filing cabinet (w/or without a third shallow drawer) can do double duty. Many come w/locks. Wheels can make it higher and more portable.

If you need an ottoman, a storage ottoman with a flip top so it could be used as a coffee table makes sense.

A small drop leaf "breakfast" table can be a side table pushed against the wall out of the way or with the sides lifted up it cold be used for board games, card games, putting together jig saw puzzles, arts/crafts and/or for use as a table to hold a computer near our tv for close proximity to the HDMI cord and/or to do homework.

Making what you buy do double duty is just common sense.

If space is an issue, a floor lamp table combo can take up less space, provide light and be much easier to move for having it where you need it and for cleaning.

Don't rush the window treatment issue. Do replace the worn out blinds with new white or off white mini blinds -- they go with anything. Attach them INSIDE the window frame, leaving above the frame space available for curtain rod brackets.

Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

thank you for all the advice. I cannot seem to figure out how to go back and edit my original posts. The photos with the carpet and table is how the old owners had it decorated. My wife and I took out the carpet and repainted last year and trying to find the best solution.

What your wife chose for a different room for a different purpose should not heavily influence what you choose for a gaming/entertainment family room. … within the bounds of reason.

Probably shouldn't create a knights of the round table theme or something that drastic but if your entire household likes a specific sport or team, a hint of that in your family room shouldn't be out of order. . Pick items that you would find comfortable for the use intended. Keep any wall color choice fairly neutral … unless y'all discuss an alternative. Should the wife consider them an awful choice, curtains or drapes in bold team colors might be returnable -- wall paint … nope.

If you repainted last year, it likely doesn't need repainting again unless use of the room damaged the paint job.

If you're DIY inclined, in lieu of taking a lot of time looking for that perfect tv console, consider hanging a modern box shelf beneath the tv -- which you can make as long as you wish and paint black. It's basically a rectangular box … and you can always search for the perfect tv console for beneath it later.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=628&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=SokgW_ydDYe1zwKZiLSwDA&q=modern+box+shelf+on+wall+beneath+tv&oq=modern+box+shelf+on+wall+beneath+tv&gs_l=img.3...18267.21364.0.21595.19.19.0.0.0.0.134.1212.13j4.17.0....0...1c.1.64.img..2.1.124...0i30k1j0i8i30k1.0.YShw2uzJHbo

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1366&bih=628&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=SokgW_ydDYe1zwKZiLSwDA&q=modern+box+shelf+on+wall+beneath+tv&oq=modern+box+shelf+on+wall+beneath+tv&gs_l=img.3...18267.21364.0.21595.19.19.0.0.0.0.134.1212.13j4.17.0....0...1c.1.64.img..2.1.124...0i30k1j0i8i30k1.0.YShw2uzJHbo

Just flipped back through the comments and noticed your floor plan. If you could put the tv in the corner -- depending upon width, that might not be practical -- it could probably be viewed more easily by more people at the same time. Have you considered wall brackets w/movable arm -- just something else for you to consider (as if you didn't have enough).

Since you're inclined to recline (hardy har har) I would float the recliner in the room, in front of the open doorway (to the kitchen?) leaving a 4' walkway behind it. That way you can recline and still walk behind it so as not to disrupt gaming/movies. You'll have about 9' from the edge of the sofa to the tv which seems like a good distance. Anyone in the kitchen can view the tv that way, as well.

Then get a swivel armchair and put it on the left of the sofa, facing out the patio door. It can be swiveled to face the sofa for chatting, the tv for viewing, or the other side of the room for interacting with folks over there.

Speaking of the other side of the room, I'm not clear on where the door in on that side is. Do you mind giving the floorplan one more shot, with doorways and windows labeled this time?

If your wife will be using this room, too, you might consider getting her a ladies' sized (slightly smaller) swivel rocker recliner -- keep her in mind with your choices and you'll win her appreciation (even if you don't win whatever contest y'all might have going).

Like the tv console. How large a table do you need? Do you have a specific purpose for the table to be used most of the time? Square for card games? Round to seat more people? Is the room large enough for a 36" or 42" pedestal table?

I have a metal post round table for both dining table (42") and breakfast table (36") and another very old, very heavy (iron pedestal w/square fiberglass top made from a heat pump pad) for outdoor BBQs. Like them.

Found this table:

https://www.theclassyhome.com/Product/CST-105261/Coaster+Furniture+Lowry+Round+Dining+Table?g=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwMSAydnP2wIVClYMCh1uBgv4EAkYGSABEgIKTfD_BwE

For your wall art -- have you considered just adding floating shelves or box shelves sized to display family treasures you already have; alternately, non-traditional wall art.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/207405390/the-oak-tree-branch-shelf-24m-size?ref=listing-shop-header-1

I like Lindsey's suggested layout. Because your layout looks off, compared to the pics you've shared. Something may have been measured wrong?

This is a long room and those entering look right into it, straight back to the sliders, right?

Suezbell has also given you tons of food for thought.

You know what they say "Marry in haste, repent at leisure." .... That's not recline, it's repent... let's get you sorted so you can recline!

Hang in there CM! Thanks for the clarification. That helps! So is this room (the former dining room)

the one you consider your family room where you plan to set up the recliner? I see a door which would be on my left if I was standing here - does that go to a bedroom?

Do you have a dining table to put all those pretty tapestry chairs around or is that a room repurposed for your wife's office?

How little are your littles? It looks like there are lots of toys around... do those have a home somewhere else? Otherwise maybe make a little area (cordoned off by a storage unit drawn so beautifully here in red) for toys and kids stuff and just get a kids size table/chairs to put up against the wall backing up to the kitchen.

The way I'm reading it is the room with the tapestry chairs and fireplace is the living room, which is to the right as you enter. See the floorplan Clueless posted earlier. Kitchen, dining room, living room are all to the right of this room, bedrooms to the left

What I gather from the furniture layout posted is Clueless wants to put the reclining sofa where the piano was in the original. I.e., corner right of the photo here (where the kid coaster thingie is now -- I am totally blanking on what that is called as my kids are grown. Kid walker?). Nook table in the upper left near the sliders where the stroller is parked.

I'm confused because the photos make it seem like there's not space for it there but his furniture layout he shared suggests there is?

I kind of feel as though the space marked "dining" on the floorplan is the space they are using as the family room...

Hopefully he comes back and posts a correct floorplan. I'm afraid this is a dilemma I'm in danger of becoming emotionally invested in!

I made a new floorplan with dimensions. This way allows me to keep my big sofa, have a TV hung in corner and table within viewing distance. What do you guys think? The mail goal of the room is for TV and boardgames / puzzles with the kids.

I think I got the floorplan nailed down to these 2. thanks Lindsey .. now I just may need to lock down my color scheme and throw a few things on the wall

I decided to scrap the recliner and start from scratch. Any good sofa picks? I was thinking something in teal. This will avoid painting the room plus I could use other teal stuff we have.

YES!! Much better room without recliner! I like that teal sofa, make sure to read reviews re:comfort.

If you go teal for the sofa, go walnut or teak for the tv console. Plan closed storage either in the console or with a lidded box or two for remotes, controllers, etc.

A note on the diagonal layout: avoid diagonals unless the room is created for them.

How old are your kids? It would probably warm your wife's heart to see some of their adorable art turned into canvasses or even simply framed to hang above the table. I know the ones with hand prints or self portraits always get me! Hang a large framed family photo to the left of the tv. Nothing formal, a candid shot would be great for a fun family room.

Add a live tree (check for toxicity) in the left corner by the slider.

Add a coffee table with storage or at the very least a shelf underneath.

Add a durable and comfortable rug. Soft to sit on so no jute/seagrass.

If this is a family/entertainment room and you have a separate formal living room, I say keep a comfy, less "adult" looking couch. You want comfy seating for the whole family, so at least for four? Would you do a sectional? Or a loveseat and two chairs? No need for an entertainment room to be formal when you have the formal room right next door!

following

I love all the ideas and tips from everyone. Lindsey, I especially love the idea of a tree in the corner and some of the kids art. Part of me wants to just put a pool table in the room and call it a day but it needs to be multi purpose for everyone and I really want my wife to love it. We have a 6 year old son and almost 2 year old daughter. I would love a sectional or L shape sofa but it may be to big for the space. I was thinking of a regular 3 seater and swivel chair that was recommend above. Maybe some small bean bags for the kids that we can move around. Any ideas for art or wall decor that will match a teal sofa with my color set? I love this teal dresser with mirror and sofa combo I found online. The peacock is a neighborhood pet and hangs out around our backyard often. My family enjoys seeing it around so I was thinking of putting a photo of him or something like it around with the colors thanks again

Yes to a large print of the peacock, how beautiful!

What Sofa do you guys like better? I am leaning towards the first one with the walnut color legs. I like sofas that allow space to see if anything is underneath. Its easier to clean and search for items the kids may loose. If I find a small swivel chair what color do you guys think i should look for to compliment the sofa, floor and walls?

What are the dimensions and material of each?

The first one

is 88"W x 38"D x 32"H

• • Sinuous seat springs
• Reversible seat cushions
• Feather & down designer accent pillows
• Cover
  • Polyester
• Frame
  • Kiln-dried hardwood frame

31"H x 83"W x 35"D

• Solid wood legs
• High density foam wrapped in Polyester
• Loose seat cushions, backrests and armrests
• Track arms

CM, none of your floorplans show the fireplace. Can you please redraw an accurate floor plan that's dark enough to read showing exactly where the fireplace is?

Hi Katin. The fire place is in a different room. I posted the photo only to show what the opposite room looked like. I will try and go back and edit my previous posts to avoid confusion.

I liked the sofa with the walnut legs until I read the loose back and arm cushions description. Maybe my kids are just less tame than yours (there's a good chance of that...)

Is front entry into the FR? I liked what I thought was: upon entering home the sofa's back was against wall at left, and tv was across it [on a bit of wall].

Upon entering, the kids' area was to your Right ?

With that layout, could have 2 swivel chairs facing the view.

Personally I find a deeper seat more comfortable because I’m tall. The one you like seems to have better head support if you nod off - my husband does this frequently :)

Leather is easier to keep clean in a house with kids. Could you find a leather couch that is dyed teal?

Prefer the sofa with the higher back … but … is it more the more comfortable one?

https://www.pier1.com/mosaic-peacock-wall-panel/3257712.html?scid=scplp3257712&sc_intid=3257712&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=google_pla&s_cid=pla0000003&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIh-j4i7TS2wIVhcJkCh3drwmqEAkYAiABEgJLqvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

What a fun neighborhood mascot! This looked like a unique option that would work with your wall color. The review say the center are mirror and the piece is stunning in person. I love the couch with the wooden legs but your style seems to be more along the tufted and I think that is a good choice for a look that can be classy but not stuffy.

And what about the table like this... the short end against the wall so people can play a game opposite each other without impeding traffic flow so much.

This is a cute Ikea table that can expand if you need extra table space for a project or party. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30340809/

Only put one chair on each side of the table for everyday... When more people want to join it's easy to drag in dining chairs!

Color palettes are heck. The main thing is that your major pieces blend/go together. For you, that looks like it is going to be furniture. Are you buying all new stuff or are there some things you are going to use from other areas of the house? I would nail down my functions for the room, and then set up furniture that's going to accomplish those goals first, see that it all plays nicely, and then find a rug to "tie the room together." Curtains and art and tchotckes can then be added once you have the bones in place. That's how I've always decorated my rooms - got the furniture in there, nailed down the placement, and then you can paint or accessorize.

Thanks for the clarification. The teal sofa looks like a fun addition to the space but with kids, I'd look for something with a fixed back. The loose back cushions just get so easily messed up. This one from Modway has a fixed back.

https://www.lexmod.com/living/loveseats/engage-upholstered-loveseat-in-teal/

Sofa cushions in the family room get turned into forts. Throw pillows will be used in pillow fights. No matter how much you try, there WILL be fingerpaint on something at some point. Get something that is either sturdy enough to stand up to abuse, or cheap enough that you don't care if it gets abused. And no natural fibers. Washable microfiber can look nice too, especially in a pretty color like that teal.

So, I noticed that all of the possible space plans show the TV somewhere on the left wall. Is that a shared wall with a bedroom, and will that present a noise problem? Another option would be to take the layout that has the TV in the upper left corner with the sofa diagonally placed in front of it and flip it. TV in the lower right corner and sofa facing it. At least then the room presents with the sofa front instead of the back. Downside is that the TV couldn't be viewed from the kitchen.

Hi, what do you guys think is missing about this wall? I picked out the mirror myself and want to make it look nice. Do I need a bigger table or can I do anything to make it pop? thanks

The table should be wide-about 50% wider than the mirror. You want to hang the mirror so the bottom is about 5" from the top of the table.

Got it. Will look for a new possibly darker color table.