Winter is definitely on its way! While you might not be able to hibernate bear style until spring, you can plan to stay in to spend quality time with family and to entertain friends. Now is the time to make your living room or family room (or both – one for the adults, the other for the kids) hibernation-friendly. It’s related to cocooning, but differs greatly in terms of interior design because you’re constructing a space to have fun in and to share with people, rather than a private space intended just for you. It may cost a few dollars for some select furniture pieces. But having a place in your home where you can stay in to entertain will save you money in the long run.
If you have a plasma or LCD television or any other kind of television, let’s start there. Choosing an entertainment center that will be the focal point of the room is a perfect “frame” for your TV. Selecting a wall unit rather than a TV stand creates the feeling of expanse, like watching a film in a movie theater.
It also gives you a place to store accompanying components such as your DVD player, stereo, speakers and CDs/DVDs. The more storage capacity, the better. Aside from making the experience more enjoyable, it’s easier to entertain friends or to hang out with the family when the living room or family room is clutter-free.
Why interrupt the movie or the game with having to get up and refill glasses and mix more drinks? Including a home bar in your living room or family room is another smart and stylish way to entertain at home. There is such a variety to choose from, you’re sure to find one that will fit. If you don’t have much room, choose the Berkline Family 5th Avenue Merlot Tiffany Folding Home Bar. It’s compact but includes all the important stuff like a stemware rack, spirits storage and wine bottle storage. On the other hand, if there’s floor space to spare in your family room for a standard sized home bar or full-sized hide-a-bar cabinet, go for it. Adding a pub table or bistro table with matching bar stools or counter stools is not going to hurt your reputation any as the most fun house on the block.
Home theater seating makes gathering with friends and family to watch a movie an event. Having chairs designed for sitting comfortably while watching the screen elevates family movie to a whole new level. Manufacturers offer consumers a lot of choice so that you can match your theater seating configuration to your décor, from leather or microsuede upholstery to all kinds of features including cup holders, reclining mechanisms and hidden storage.
Just because you don’t have a wood-burning fireplace, you don’t have to deny yourself the pleasure or comfort of one. Electric fireplaces are a great economical, secondary heat source and come in all sizes, including space-savers. If you really can’t spare the floor space, consider a wall-mounted fireplace. While gel fueled fireplaces don’t emit enough heat to be a heat source, they are pretty to look at. And just like regular fireplaces, they lend the room an inviting ambiance that’s perfect for entertaining at home.
Accessorize! Don’t underestimate the power of pillows! Adding bean bag chairs to your family room is an economical way of increasing the room’s seating capacity. It doesn’t take much to create a fun and comfortable place to stay at home and entertain while hibernating during the cold winter months.
