It seems one thing always leads to another and another. What should have been a simple upgrade in our Family Room has turned into trying to decide if we want to make even more changes. Our family room recently got new chairs, then we replaced the brown wood blinds with beautiful 2 1/2 Wood Blinds and it made a huge difference. Then hubby bought a new 50″ Smart Tv so now we have the dilemma of how to make that work. Our old tv console is way too small for the new tv, so we need to replace that. Next question is do we simply replace the console, or do we do some kind of wall treatment and do we hang the tv on the wall? Lots of questions. So I am thinking about several different Family Room Update Ideas.
First, let’s start with several different consoles that I really like. Still trying to decide on a size, color, and style.
I really like the style of this one. Great color and texture on the wood and the style is called Farmhouse Industrial. Perfect. This one is really wide so I would have to eliminate one chair. Not sure that is a good thing. This one is by far the most expensive, so I will definitely have to convince myself this one is worth it. (I was hoping to do this whole update for around $500.)
I like this one in a very similar style with the iron base and the price is great too. This one is the perfect size and I really do like the storage.
I like the gray color on this one and the rustic wood.
I like the reclaimed wood color and the iron details of this one too.
The color and iron detail look like they would go with the end table by one of the recliners and the wood on the recliners too. However this one is really wide, so a chair would have to go.
This one is a good size and I like the color of the wood too.
I really like the style of this one too and the reclaimed wood is a great color for my room. I think this one has just enough of a contemporary style to work well in my room.
I just saw this one. It is a few inches smaller than some of the above. Every inch counts in a small room. I like the contemporary style too.
Another consideration is whether to add some kind of Board and Batten to the wall. Here are two options that I like.
This one is really simple and would make my 8′ ceilings seem taller.
This one is fun too. Not sure I would want to dust that many boards all the time.
Ok, tell me what you guys think. You’ve seen this room many times, but here is a refresh of what we are working with. New Tv.
This was with our smaller tv.
The other side of the room.
Ok you guys, help me out. I need some advice Please. You guys always have fresh eyes and great suggestions. Below are quite a few that I saw that would work.
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Marty! I love your ideas! Can’t wait to see how you transform this space!
Happy Sunday, laura
Thanks Laura, this is really a trial and error situation. This room has been so hard. I think I am trying to put way too much into a small room. Marty
I like the one with the blue wall. Also think a blue accent wall in a similar shade as that photo would work with your chairs nicely. Will love whatever you do – you get a lot of decorating bang for your buck!
Computers always make colors look so different. The one you mentioned is actually a gray wall and my chairs are also gray-sort of a gun metal gray – no blue. I do like that console and maybe doing some kind of gray on my wall would help balance things. The chairs on one side are much heavier than the furniture on the other side. Thanks tons for your insight. Marty
The cabinets are all cool. I think the first is my favorite.
The board and batten will look cool. The first is my favorite mainly because the lower detail in the second will get lost behind all the furniture.
Have fun!
Thanks so much, I love that first console too but it is really long, maybe too long for my room. I do like the first batten and board also, I don’t think all the blocks will really help my wall. Thanks for your ideas. Marty
I like the grey one that is similar to the one you have. I wouldn’t add the iron because of the proximity to your coffee table and definitely don’t eliminate a chair, I think you’ll be sorry. The snowball effect is REAL and one we all struggle with, for sure. I can’t tell you how many moves and changes I’ve made in my home and I have the pictures to prove it! A little nuts, actually but how does one avoid it? Good luck, I can’t wait for your end result, whatever you chose, it will be great.
Thanks so much for your thoughts I agree, losing a chair is really a hard decision. This is a small room but since it is off the kitchen, everyone seems to congregate in here no matter what I do. Great advice about the iron, I hadn’t thought about that. Thanks, Marty
Hi Marty,
I love board and batten. I know whatever you do in this space it will be great. Working with small area’s and trying to get enough seating is always a challenge. Love all your inspiration ideas. Cannot wait to see what you do.
Hugs,
Kris
Board and beaten all the way!!! First one tho. I like several of the tv cabinets so no help. Good luck!
Thanks tons, I appreciate you insight. Marty
I am not a tv person so I like the original tv and table but……..I understand his much guys love their big TVs. I would suggest definitely mounting the tv but only if you can run the wires in the walls. Wires hanging from tvs never look good. All your table choices are lovely and can’t wait to see your final choice!
I am with you. Our original TV was just fine for me. Now I need to figure this thing out since hubby really, really wanted the larger TV. We had a 32″ before, so this one isn’t all that much bigger at 50″, but it really does look bigger to me.
Love board and batten but I’m with you on the second version, too much dusting.
Looking forward to seeing which console you pick.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Cindy
Thanks, I agree, we live with the doors open all the time, so dust is an issue and I am not wanting to have to dust the walls too. Marty
Hi,
I like the 1st console in between your chairs.
Jane
that first console is stunning. I really like it too. Marty
Marty – have you thought about possibly going with black? To work with the two black chairs opposite the space?
If I were to pick a fav it is the smaller contemporary one with the metal and 3 drawer bin things – it’s more open and airy too
and will give the illusion of the room being larger. It’s by far my fav. I am not a huge fan of mid-century modern (didn’t like it in the 60s either,) and would lean more towards the almost industrial but not quite of it.
Anyway, have fun with your new tv. Now if they could only get those smart tvs to do the dusting for us, then they’re really smart, haha. Hugs.
How fun, I like that cabinet too and yes, I really do wish that tv would dust for me. Marty
I like the 58 inch barn door in the gray wash finish. I think the first wall treatment is nice. In my mind the two would help offset the heavy chairs on other side of the room. I agree that hanging tv only if you can hide wires. Have fun whatever you decide.
Kathy
Thanks, that gray barn door cabinet really is pretty. I agree, I will definitley hide the wires if we hang the tv. I really don’t like them visible, it just ruins the look. Marty
Perhaps put the old TV cabinet between the recliners. Cabinet 3 would be great and balance the width of the TV, but paint the hardware an antique gold. Mount the TV on the wall, which will open up the space and be at the right height for viewing in and out of the recliner. Hopefully you can keep one of the chairs! Good luck!
Thanks, I like #3 too. The gray is such a pretty color. Marty
Keep it simple. Use what you have been using and rearrange the pictures. Live with it awhile.
Agree, I need to just think this through and not be in a hurry of any kind. Marty
Personally, for your room I prefer what you already have. You might consider having a carpenter build a wooden piece to be u-shaped to fit over the cabinet and finish it to match or contrast your cabinet – could even make it a little wider than your present cabinet for room to open the doors. Hope this makes sense to you! Also, while I love board and batten, I, too, despise dusting. Have you considered bead board run vertically? We did this in a farm kitchen, then primed it and quickly wiped it down, and applied a clear matte finish. Always loved this and hope to do it again in our present home somewhere.
Thank you, I love that cabinet too. Maybe having a new top put on it might work. I have to give that some thought. Great suggestion. Marty
My husband of fifty years has put up with all of my arranging and rearranging. When he bought a large screen tv he said to me, “Can’t we please have some comfort as well as function in this room?” It made me stop and think. He has moved furniture around our home forever and a day. So this time, I decided to invest in HIS input and make the room comfortable for him as well as stylish for me. You asked for suggestions. Ask your hubby for a suggestion. Sometimes, after so many years of marriage, they either accommodate our tastes or know us so well that they choose what we actually wanted in the first place. A simple upgrade is often the better option than a complete remodel. You always make your home look beautiful as well as comfortable. I love the fact that you don’t do complete overhauls just for the sake of photo shoots. Your approach of making wise and timely decorating choices is what I admire most about you.
Thank you so much for such a gracious compliment. I really do like for my home to be comfortable and stylish. I agree, I don’t like just a great photo shoot. We do live here. Hubby picked out the new recliners that we bought and even though they are a little big, he loves them and I have to admit they are comfortable. I’m glad he got his larger TV too, so now all I have to do is figure out a nice chest to go under it. I know the right thing will pop up and then we will both be happy. Thanks again for your help and support. Marty
Keep in mind that coffee table is glass and gold. Are you willing to change the coffee table and maybe lose a chair ? What I like for the big wall TV’s is the shuttered cabinet mounted on the wall where you can close the doors and hide it. You already have the white wooden blinds.
Whatever you chose will be beautiful. You certainly have an eye for decorating. Personally I like the 7th photo. beautiful simple lines. Beautiful wood. I don’t think I would do anything to the walls. Just my opinion.
Thanks Karie. Marty
Marty, Love what you have in mind for this room! The vertical board and baten looks like a nice choice and any one of those beautiful consoles would work.
Thanks Cristina, just have to decide on the console. Marty
I like the idea of a longer console. The last three pictured are fabulous!
Marty – I personally like the simple classic lines of consoles #6 and #7. I think simplicity is an asset and will really pop in your room. I wouldn’t do anything to the walls – just me. I think it could get awfully visually busy, but that might just be my taste. I am sure you will do something killer there and we can’t wait to see. Onward!
We must be on the same wavelength. I love both of those and I agree, I have nixed any kind of wall treatment. I think that would be way too much. As I said, this is a really small room. Marty
Family Room Update Ideas article is very useful and well researched.
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