Your family room is one of the most used rooms in the house and if it's been a long time since you've decorated, chances are it's looking dated and boring. Your kids grow up, your family and their interests grow, and time moves on, so why not freshen up your family room so that it's more in tune with your life? Before you say “I can't afford to redecorate”, take a deep breath, relax and read on. There are many ways to perk up your tired family room with paint; it's affordable, easy and can give your home fresh contemporary appeal.
Make it Lively
A family room with bland boring color that is devoid of contrast or vibrant accents feels lackluster and lifeless. Pump up the excitement level by pumping up the color quotient! Trendy modern shades like silvery blue, apple green, mimosa yellow or raspberry infuse a space with contemporary appeal, making it feel fresh and new again. When choosing a color think about how it will work with your furniture and consider whether you want to make the room feel spacious or cozy. Lighter colors on the wall generally make a space feel larger, while deep rich tones make it feel cozy and intimate.
If bold colors on the walls are too much for you, consider painting just an accent wall in a bolder color. For example, you can use raspberry on the wall that features a fireplace or great windows and paint the other walls in a luscious creamy off-white. Or go with earthy tones that add contrast that might blend more easily with your furniture or carpet: Chocolate brown and espresso with taupe or moss green with stone and cedar brown, for example. Remember too, that you can opt to paint the trim to transform your family room, or paint the lower half of your walls in a different color.
Paint a Mural
A mural on the wall creates interest and underscores your style, whether you love traditional, whimsical or abstract design. Create a cohesive look for the room by repeating a pattern in furniture or accessories on the wall. Simply trace the pattern onto a transparency sheet and project it on the wall; then trace it and fill in with paint.
You can also create a thematic mural based on your family's interests or vacations. Beach or mountain settings, ski trips, football or tennis, or a mural that conveys your family heritage are other ideas. A fun idea is to paint a family tree on the wall with the names of family members and even a photo or mini-portrait at every branch; stencil in text, quotations and names if you like. Murals or images painted on the wall to underscore your decorative theme are another possibility; from Shaker baskets to sailboats, you're only limited by your imagination. A professional artist can create a mural for you if you'd rather not do it yourself.
Classic Style
Classic color combination like black and white or navy and white always look crisp and fresh. Use blue painter's tape to create traditionally inspired vertical stripes on the wall, or go modernly abstract with geometric shapes and polka dots. For a subtle look, choose a glossy paint for a focal wall in the same colors as surrounding walls. This captures attention without a lot of contrast. Reflective metallic and pearlescent paints add shimmer and sparkle that brings a cozy glow to the room when enhanced by sunlight or artificial light.
About the Author: While looking for an opportunity in decorating Angela Glancy found herself working with http://www.americanartisanart.com/ where she developed her own unique style for metal art wall sculptures and large metal wall art.
