How to Create a Living Room the Whole Family Can Enjoy

1. Choose the right rug.

Not only will the right rug make the space feel cohesive, but if your living room has timber, tiled, or laminated flooring, it will also help reduce household noise, provide extra insulation on those colder nights, and generally create a cozy, family-friendly feel.

Square or rectangle rugs can help to define zones within larger living spaces. However, be careful when selecting your rug size. Square rugs can look unbalanced if they don't fit the room well.

2. Create an entertainment zone.

Nothing gets the family together quite like a movie night, so ensure your living room can also double as home theater, complete with a comfortable couch you can sink into, a wide-screen TV you can see from every seat, and a proper entertainment setup.

Rather than aimlessly flicking through channels, or switching HDMI cables while trying to find exactly what you want to watch, consider utilizing a streaming box, which can transform your regular TV into an entertainment hub.

Another guaranteed winner? Board games. Store a selection of classics, such as Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, underneath the coffee table or bookshelf so they're within easy reach for impromptu family fun nights.

3. Choose a suitable couch.

Whether you're curling up with a great book, sprawling out after a long day at the office, or hosting an overnight guest, the couch is perhaps the most important furniture piece in the living room. Thankfully, with so many different options now available, there's a dream style for every home.

When selecting the right one for your place, go back to basics and consider functionality: Who will be using your couch? If you have little ones, consider styles with textured fabrics as these will last longer, hiding small stains and spills. Leather is another durable option for high-living areas and while it comes at a higher price point, its luxe finish promises to last for decades without looking dated.

The right couch can make a big impact on the aesthetic of the room. Those with legs make a space feel modern, while low arms will create the illusion the room is larger than it is. It's all about finding the couch that best complements your home and furniture, and suits the scale of your living area. Versatile modular sofas cater to specific room layouts and can solve the issue of an awkwardly shaped space.

Lastly, comfort is key. You can always find a great deal online, but make sure you test out your sofa before you spend. The comfier the couch, the more the family will enjoy spending time on it.

4. Invest in clever storage solutions. 

Family living spaces can easily become cluttered. Like most rooms in the home, the living room has become a multifunctional space, playing second study and occasional bedroom when relatives come to visit. Toys, books, blankets, stationery — having enough storage is essential.

Built-in wall units are especially ideal for narrow rooms and are less invasive than bookshelves. By selecting clear-glass doors or no doors, you'll be more likely to keep the storage tidy, instead of it turning into a hidden dumping ground.

You can also considering buying matching metal or colored storage boxes to keep the mess limited within their confines. Give each family member their own box and there'll be no excuse for left out clutter.

When choosing furniture, find pieces that double as extra storage. Look for hollow ottomans and coffee tables with deep drawers, and try floating shelving. There are many new and innovative designs online that are made specifically for saving space, so hunt around for the perfect solution.

This article originally appeared on our sister site, Homes to Love.