Make Your Den the Perfect Family Room

Ideally the den should be the place where the entire family can spend leisure time together. Sohere's what you can do to make sure that the den is a place that offers something for everyone inthe family so that it's a place where not only the adults but also the kids want to spend time.

Pick your room

Perhaps you have a room in your home that will do nicely as a den. Or you may have a basement or acellar area that you can use to create the perfect den? Or perhaps you have some extra garage spacethat you can fashion into a den area?

If not, consider whether you need a separate dining room or whether the area would be betterutilized as a den? If you have a large enough living room, a part of that could be sectioned off tomake a den as well.

The entertainment center

Invariably, it is the TV that seems to become the focal point for leisure activity. So it may be a goodidea to situate your entire entertainment center here - the TV, the DVD, the home theater, and evenyour music system. Keep in mind however if your den is in the basement you may not be able to hearmusic as you potter about your kitchen or do some gardening.

Since kids seem to spend so much time online, it may also be a good idea to have the familycomputer in the den, so that parents can be aware of their kids' online activities and the amount oftime they spend online.

The furniture

Recliners, arm chairs with their own ottomans, futons, bean bags and sectional sofas are all goodoptions for the den. You basically need furniture that is comfortable and user friendly - smart butinformal - to create that cozy, inviting look.

The décor

Try to keep things color coordinated to create a harmonious look to the entire room. However youcan add splashes of color by creating an accent wall in a vivid color or by using colorful cushions andthrows. You can also add interesting touches by adding plenty of family photos, mementos fromfamily holidays, trophies and awards won by the kids and other family members and so on. This willgive the room a more personal touch.

An exercise machine?

If you have the space, you could think of adding a treadmill, an elliptical trainer or an exercise cyclein the den. Workout while you watch TV - it could just give your fitness a boost!

Something for the kids

Unless you are averse to the whole concept of video games, this may be the room to add the gamingconsole. A small pool table or other game table may be a good addition too.

Relax the rules

This may not be the best place to enforce the "no feet on furniture" or "all eating on the dining roomtable" type of rules. Try to create a relaxed atmosphere, where everyone in the family feelscomfortable.

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