The family room beckons us to sit down, to read, to play, to let down and to relax. Creating a family-friendly room that is versatile and comfortable, no matter what people are doing, insures a rich indoor playground. A room that can easily change hats to suit a toddler, a teenager, or a parent allows for each person's individual expression. Look at your room in your new home and imagine your family at ease and engaged. Storage for various activities and functions is a must, to ensure a flow of versatility within its dimensions.

Look at your family room with an objective eye:

Family rooms in new homes often have an open space for a large t.v. Some have fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, built-in bookcases; some are cozy, and others are quite spacious. Open your mind to creative possibilities, utilizing your own instinctive ideas. You want to select color, texture, furniture, and fabric that inspire you! Reach for your binder of magazine clippings and photographs and take the time to create a plan for this room that will enrich you and your family on a daily basis. Utilizing a professional's skills and expertise can expedite your creative process! By interviewing you and collaborating, your dreams can become reality.

A space that houses family and friends in a relaxed style:

Remembering the utilitarian nature of this casual setting, design your space to be approachable and comfortable, no matter how you furnish it. You want it to be imbued with a relaxed aliveness. Ask yourself what color(s) make you feel the most relaxed and at home. Look to see if other rooms' walls flow into your family room. Creating a flow with wall color can enhance your feelings of ease. Often designers will recommend choosing a wall color that is warm, which can set a rich, elegant mood for entertaining and relaxing. Your walls are the backdrop for the furnishings and accessories that you use to embellish your room with your unique style! If you are uncertain of how a color will feel to you once the entire room is painted try this simple solution: Paint a 5'x5' square on a wall at eye level. Enter your room without looking at the square. Turn around 360° and then face the square. Notice how the color impacts you now. If you are hesitant to paint with a warm or bold hue, start with warm neutrals that can be accented with brighter, warmer, and bolder colors. In a couple of years you may be ready to make a stronger statement with your wall color! Colors that others suggest won't suit your home if they don't make your heart sing!

Select furnishings that you can arrange to enhance your room's assets:

What is the focal point of your room? Is it the fireplace? Is it a picture window that effortlessly brings nature into your home? If you do have an open large screened t.v., create another clear focal point so that the t.v. does not dominate your surroundings. When you are choosing new furniture, be sure to sit in it at the store before buying. Especially in this relaxed room, you want to have human friendly pieces of furniture that individuals can melt into and literally flop on if so desired. When buying a coffee table and end tables, rounded corners assist ease of movement while preventing bruises. Durable fabrics that are inviting are a must. Enhance your space with additional lighting for specific activities, such as reading. Window coverings can be matchstick shades, roman shades, shutters, curtains, drapes, etc., depending upon the flair of your décor. If direct, warm sun is an issue, use window treatments that will protect your furniture and keep you cool in the summer months and warmer in winter months.

Looking through Feng Shui eyes, arranging your furniture:

To encourage relaxation and good social interaction, arrange your primary place to sit, often a sofa, so that it has a view of the door. Arrange other seating so that wherever people sit they at least have a peripheral view of the entrance into the room. This will tend to put everyone at ease, besides being attractive. If it's impossible to arrange your seating in this manner, hang a large mirror to reflect the door or entrance for those who are seated. Soften corners with live plants, sculpture or fabric. To enhance the flow of energy, have plenty of space for people to walk.

Everything has its place:

With all the various activities that occur in a family room, chaos can take over. What's needed? Adequate and accessible storage is the answer, so that each person can easily put away his stuff in that room. If it's easy to access and to store each person's stuff, order will more likely prevail. If there isn't enough built in storage use chests, trunks, or drawers assigned to each person to stash his stuff.

Make your room sparkle with favorite family photographs, plants, and vibrant art:

The essence of who you are is reflected in your home. Ask yourself, "What represents me and my family now and as we fulfill on our family's enjoyment?" Accessorize your walls with beautiful reminders of all that inspires and nurtures you to be yourselves!

Books to Read:

• The Western Guide to Prosperity
• The Western Guide to Feng Shui
• The Western Guide to Feng Shui, Room By Room
• All by Terah Kathryn Collins
• Feng Shui for the Soul, by Denise Linn
• The Healing House, by Barbara Bannon Harwood
• Feng Shui Chic, By Sharon Stasney