How to design a lounge for the whole family to enjoy

Most living rooms serve several different purposes – it’s the room where you relax, watch TV, host and gather your friends and family, while it often doubles as a work space or includes a dining area. And this list reads even longer if the lounge in question is a family living room which needs to cater to both kids and adults. But don’t be put off as our family living room ideas are here to help with blending the two worlds together.

Any good living room idea for spaces shared by adults and younger members of the family needs to take several elements into account all at once – practicality, comfort and an inviting atmosphere while also not forgetting about style. Just because you have children, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an aesthetically pleasing home. Or in this case a lovely living room.

From sofa styles to avoid in a family living room to toy storage ideas to incorporate into the lounge, that’s exactly what you’ll need to consider once putting together a family sitting room.

But equally, it’s important for everyone to be able to enjoy the space. ‘A family living room should ultimately be practical and functional for everyone to enjoy,’ says Ashleigh Ellis, director of upholstery and furniture at ScS. ‘It’s important everyone feels welcome and can gather to spend quality time together. The room should feel personal and special, fostering a sense of togetherness between those who live there.’

And that’s exactly what you should keep in mind when thinking of your family living room ideas.

1. Incorporate storage baskets for quick toy clean up

Woven storage baskets are one of the most chic ways of disguising any clutter. Or toys left scattered across the floor in this case. You can simply just collect your little ones’ play things and throw them in the basket (or baskets). This hidden toy storage idea will camouflage itself as part of the room decor.

‘Different types of storage are essential,’ says Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft. ‘Hidden storage is great for quickly tidying toys away. Having storage like baskets for smaller toys makes it easy to tidy up at the end of the day while still allowing kids easy access when they need it. So, incorporating various types of storage is key.’

2. Avoid having too many things on display

One of the most common family living room mistakes is fostering a lot of stuff within the space which leads to a cluttered look. In order to avoid that from occurring, we recommend keeping decor to a minimum – which is best for safety reasons with small children, too – and investing in effective storage that will hide all of the necessary items.

‘An excess of decor items, toys, or furniture can make the room feel cluttered and chaotic, so aim for a balance that keeps the space inviting and functional,’ Olga of Black & Milk says.

Kelly adds, ‘I would avoid having too many display items, especially with younger kids. While it’s lovely to have a well-designed coffee table with books and candles, this doesn’t work well with smaller children.’

Finally, Ashleigh provides an alternative solution, ‘Try to strike a balance between making the room feel cosy without overcrowding. Accidents are inevitable, especially with young children, so make sure fragile or sentimental objects are stored away or displayed in hard-to-reach places. For example, keep decorations and personal items confined to a bookcase or shelving unit then take a minimalist approach with any other surfaces.’

3. Add children’s furniture that goes with your decor

It’s important for every member of your family to feel like the living room is their space as much as it is yours. Which is why you’ll need to strike a balance between what’s for you and what’s for them in this room. But the easiest way to make the room look good while doing so is by opting for pieces that complement each other.

‘It’s important to show that your child has their space and belongings in the living room. While you want to minimise clutter, you also want to make it clear that it is their room to use as well. For example, a small table and chairs that can be tucked away if needed shows that it’s their space but can easily be put away. When choosing children’s furniture, select pieces that blend with your living room decor so they don’t stand out. Avoid anything garishly coloured that’s permanently on display. It’s your space as well, so try to maintain a balanced decor,’ Kelly says.

4. Stick to a cohesive colour scheme

Keeping to a cohesive living room colour scheme to make the space look thought out and considered is important in every lounge. And a family living room is no exception.

‘Opt for a cohesive colour scheme with just a few accent colours and patterns to avoid the room becoming overstimulating. The key to adding cosiness for me is using warm-toned colours – think sage green, oatmeal or a rich ocean blue, then mix in natural materials and lots of greenery,’ Ashleigh says.

5. Try the broken plan layout

Although open-plan living room ideas are still very popular, recently the trends are starting to turn towards the more versatile broken plan.

This layout is essentially halfway between closed floor plans and the open-plan style. The reason why it works so well for family living room ideas is because of its flexibility. The rooms can be separated by pocket, sliding or glass doors, so you keep them open when you’re having family time, but can close them away if the kids are playing or watching TV and you’re trying to have a conversation in the kitchen. It’s a win-win.

6. Be playful with decor

When decorating family living room ideas, use it as an excuse to have a bit of fun. Living room wall decor is a great place to start, as you can experiment on a budget and without too much commitment. After all, paint can always be painted over.

‘The best finish for family spaces is matt,’ advises Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown Paints. ‘This is because it can more often than not be wiped clean of any marks and stains and it’s tougher than sheen surfaces.’

‘Where possible, opt for a paint that’s been classified as “wipeable”. It’s perfect for pen marks and sticky fingers and it’s been designed and tested for the best stain and scrub resistance.’

7. Build in storage

‘A key thing to consider is ample storage,’ says Juliette Thomas, founder of Juliettes Interiors. ‘The living room is often the most used room for families, so it needs to remain a clutter-free and relaxing environment, whilst also being multifunctional.’

‘Bear in mind how best to use the space and where living room storage ideas can be incorporated. If you have alcoves, optimise them with built in cupboards of shelves to store away items like toys and games.’

8. Prioritise seating

‘It’s important to ensure that your home works for you, rather than you work for your home,’ says Dani Burroughs, head of product at Snug. ‘Comfort is King when it comes to seating. Whether you want a large corner sofa with deep hugging seats, or a compact 2-seater that fits like a glove into alcoves or smaller areas, it’s all about the space available and personal preference.’

‘Ideally you want enough seats for each member of the family to have a place to sit back and relax,’ continues Dani. ‘But if you’re working with small living room ideas a great alternative is a 1.5 seater snuggler that offers all of the comfort of a regular sofa.’

‘If you have then space, then a deep and cosy sofa, large enough for the whole family is ideal. Something just as luxurious to look at as it is to flop on is a real winner. We would recommend a plush corner or even a corner chaise for ultimate TV viewing comfort.’

Since seating is one of the most expensive purchases for a living room, it’s always worth checking out current home decor discount codes to see where you could make extra savings.

9. Think practically

‘When taking into account family living, nothing is bomb proof but it’s always wise to think ahead,’ says Martin Waller, founder of Andrew Martin. ‘If you don’t want to be rummaging under a sofa for a button-eyed animal, try looking for living room sofa ideas without legs.’

‘If your stomach fills with dread every time you hear a clatter in the living room, swap cream linen upholstery for a thicker, darker plain or a fabric with a colourful pattern.’

‘You might consider using throws or covering the arms with sleeves,’ suggests Emma Sims-Hilditch, founder of Sims-Hilditch. ‘These can be taken off and washed, keeping the sofa good as new.’

‘It is wise to avoid fabrics such as velvets and silks when planning the upholstery in a child’s or family room. These are fragile and are best saved for formal sitting rooms or entertaining spaces suited for adults.’

10. Make it multifunctional

Use a range of furniture to keep your family living room ideas as flexible as possible. When deciding how to design a living room, keep this in mind. Ottomans are a great example as they can work as coffee table or seating, depending upon what is required.

A couple of smaller chairs are a great addition, too. You can separate these when more privacy is desired, or situate them by the sofa when it’s a social gathering.

11. Go for fitted furniture

To make the most of modern living room ideas, if you can afford it, then bespoke is the way to go. You can use your space cannily, so every inch is utilised and you’re making sure your family living room ideas are serving the family as you desire.

‘The cost of fitted furniture is more than freestanding furniture,’ notes Jen Porter, senior design consultant from Neville Johnson. ‘However if you go for a premium fitted furniture specialist, your furniture will be durable and will retain its quality for a long time. This means it really is a fantastic investment, especially for families who need that extra durability.’

12. Zone areas for all the family

When deciding how to arrange living room furniture, keep everyone’s needs in mind. Design allocated zones for lounging, dining and working to keep the room organised.

Dedicate an area of the room, whether large or small, to ensure everyone has a place for their needs. Set up a workstation at a small table in the corner of the room away from the central hub of entertainment to avoid any distractions.

13. Welcome a sizeable sofa bed

It may be one of the more simple living room ideas, but consider adding in a sofa bed. It’s a great bonus so little ones can lay down for a nap but still be within sight.

They’ll stay in use through the years, too, as teenagers might need a place for friends to crash. Plus, they’re a godsend when extended family has come to visit.

14. Create a gallery wall

Family living room ideas shouldn’t have to take themselves too seriously, so use this as a chance to create a fun gallery wall.

Decorate the wall behind the sofa with a mixture of prints, photos and your children’s artwork. For ultimate flexibility you may want to include a picture wall so you can swap the home-made creations in and out with ease.

15. Stay on top of clutter with a storage wall

If storage space is at a premium or you want to avoid plastic boxes lined up in the living room, look to the wall to help clear the clutter with savvy storage solutions. As well as being practical, it’s a cool alternative to living room feature wall ideas.

Hang wall baskets for a quick end-of-day tidy-ups for toys, books, magazines, iPads and other stuff that tends to lay about. Tech can be stored out of reach in the higher baskets. Use sturdy, decorative metal hooks that can take plenty of weight.

16. Set up a flexible work space

A full family house may mean space is at a premium and a separate room for an office or homework station just isn’t an option. To create a slimline workspace within a living room, use adjoining floating shelves within an alcove or across an empty wall. Bear in mind the shelves may be leaned on, so secure with heavy duty floating brackets.

Using this minimalist trick in place of a desk or traditional home office furniture means it won’t intrude on the living room. Pick a comfortable and supportive chair that doesn’t look too ‘officey’ allowing it to blend into the decor of the room.

17. Utilise every nook for storage

Make the most of the floor areas with a built-to-fit seat in bay window ideas. Drawers under the seat add storage and are more practical than a lift-up lid.

The storage space is perfect for the speedy tidy up before guests arrive. Give each drawer a purpose to help keep it organised. Stash anything from toys and books to tech, chargers, consoles and games. The angled end section doubles up as a built-in side table.

18. Invest in adaptable modular furniture

‘If you’re looking for something versatile, think modular,’ advises Dani from Snug. ‘Look for a sofa that grows with you and your lifestyle as the needs of your living room seating ideas change. This will mean you never have to worry about your sofa being left or right aligned.’

‘Want to give you sofa a makeover? Try swapping out the arms and feet for other options to give you sofa a completely new look for that new home you just moved into. Young family that’s growing? Turn your 3-seater sofa into a corner sofa by simply adding new pieces.’

19. Add a hidden bed

A multifunctional piece like a bed in a box or a trundle bed this is ideal if you don’t have space for a guest bed in a spare room or bedroom – it’s a sleepover saviour!

These options are are great for smaller spaces, as you’re not as limited with only having to look for sofa beds when it comes to sofa ideas for small living rooms.

20. Create an area that’s made for play

If you don’t have a separate space, it’s wise to turn one corner of your living room into playroom ideas for the kids. Without one, toys could spread everywhere turning your entire living room into one big playroom – not ideal!

Family living rooms require plenty of storage, so make sure everyone in the family has an assigned cupboard, drawer or trunk to hide their things inside. Make sure there is plenty of it – at the end of the day, you’ll be glad of somewhere to banish the toys so that you can enjoy some much-needed adult time.

21. Display photographs

Personalise your living room with an arrangement of favourite family photographs. If you’re wondering how to break up a large wall in a living room, use this as the perfect spot to display family snapshots.

Choose frames that are identical in size and colour and arrange in a grid formation to make a visual impact.

22. Incorporate media units

Although we love to find ways for how to hide a TV, sometimes it’s easier to keep it on display. In these cases, create a media-friendly arrangement in your family living room ideas Choose low units that won’t overwhelm the room and keep the wall space above feeling open by putting up simple floating shelves.

‘TV units are a great way to hide away those game consoles and controllers that can clutter a snug/family/TV room,’ says Dani from Snug. ‘Choosing something in a natural finish will help keep the space cosy.’

23. Childproof furniture for young kids

While you don’t want to compromise on style, your furniture choices need to be thoughtful in family living rooms with very young children. An easy way to make furniture more child-friendly is to soften the edges on coffee tables.

Budget living room ideas this simple and effective check all the design boxes for a busy family home.

24. Choose durable furniture

Who says you can’t have a stylish and sleek family living room ideas? Just pay attention to the materials you’re using.

‘Consider durability when selecting materials,’ advises Emma Sims-Hilditch. ‘It is a good idea to select durable fabrics, particularly if you have children and pets. For living room upholstery we recommend choosing fabrics with a Martindale rub count of more than 18,000. This should ensure the longevity of your furniture for years to come.’