Family room improvement ideas?

2 years ago

Any ideas on how to improve the style of my family room? I’d of course rather spend the least possible, but could probably spare a few thousand or more depending on how great the outcome could be.

I think the core of the problem is with the fireplace, as it’s pretty dated at this point (am the new homeowner for ~2 years). Not really sure how to change it though or who to get estimates from on changing it up? The previous homeowner said he refaced it himself after the builder did a bad job of the original brick. So I assume the tile is mortared to the brick.

Not sure what to do on either side of the fireplace? The current shelves were super cheap and admittedly don’t look great.

The carpet is in good shape and we don’t hate it, but we’d eventually like to replace it with hardwood.

The wood trim goes throughout the house so I’d prefer to keep it around, but I suppose if it needed to be replaced for a project in this room, it wouldn’t be too big of a deal.

Anyway, I’d appreciate some ideas ranging from cheap wins to fireplace remodel. Happy to answer any questions.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

Lance
Original Author

2 years ago

All, thank you for your comments. Here are some more pics. The console table was a recent addition, as well as the frames on it (they still have stock pictures).

To Kendrah:

It is normally 2 people + 1 cat.
The room is mostly used for watching TV/movies w/ the occasional nap. Every now and then we might host a group of 8-12.
We're very happy with our couch and we think the chair was a nice find. Everything else we're not super attached to.
We have a living room that is mostly empty right now, but most of the things on the shelves could probably go there.
The fireplace was originally wood burning but was converted to gas at some point. I am interested in converting it back to wood-only because per what I was told, code says gas fireplace flues cannot be fully closed and this causes a significant amount of air to flow in and out of the house making it very very very cold in the winter (at one point I had a reading of 28F on the hearth!). I'm not sure what kind of work or cost would be involved with this.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

Rho Dodendron
2 years ago
Change up the fireplace? Remove the hung-too-high T.V. and make the fabulously tiled fireplace be a focal point of the room.
salonva
2 years ago
I really like the tiled fireplace. Maybe from what you're saying about the previous owner diy job it doesn't look good in person, but in the photo I really like it.

I can't see enough of your room but the chair and fireplace that I can see work nicely and are attractive. I would say the 2 bookcases don't work for me. I'm on the fence re the TV. I don't love TV above fireplace but sometimes it's the right place so I have no issue with that. Of course if there is alternative place available and you're looking for that it could be a fine option. Can you share more photos of the room?
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Kendrah
2 years ago
Can you post pics of the entire room please? How many people congregate in here regularly? Do you do anything in addition to watching TV in here? Do you watch TV elsewhere? Do you like your current furniture?

Are those bookshelves the only place in your home where you can store what is on them / in them? Or can you put those books and objects elsewhere?

Does the fireplace work and do you ever use it? Is it electric?
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
2 years ago
May we have a hand drawn sketch of the room with measurements of each wall, door, window, opening and fireplace, oh and your couch length? That would help a lot. Than we can offer some suggestions that will fit the room. Also, agree with Kendrah, we need the answers to her questions as well. Thanks.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
Some option
mmmm12COzone5
2 years ago
Do you have any inspiration pictures?

I have no need of a fireplace. I hate the smell of wood burning and don't want the combustion or upkeep of gas. So we had our gas line disconnected in the basement and sealed. We hired a chimney sweep to seal the top of the fireplace. Then we hired a general contractor to take out the mantle and tile. They built a wood frame to contain an electric fireplace (about $300 from Home Depot), had a dedicated electric line run up from the basement for the fireplace and ran electric for the TV to be mounted above it. Drywalled and tiled our old hearth. Cost was about $5K but if you subcontracted all the trades yourself you could probably do it alot cheaper.

I love the electric and the ability to mount a big screen TV over it.