Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
SUBSCRIBE
Family Room

Making a Family Room Cozy and Relaxing

!

Making a Family Room Cozy, Relaxing … and Intentional

 

Today we’re spilling the tea on how we’re turning the Rumpus Room (aka Family Room) into a cozy, relaxing, kick-back-and-chill family room. Okay, so real talk, what is a “Rumpus Room” anyway? Basically, it’s the ultimate chill-out zone where you can let loose, have a blast, and soak up some major fam vibes. It’s like a warm hug for your soul, where relaxation and family time collide in the best way possible! We’re talking about the crème de la crème of family rooms. Here’s how we plan to accomplish this beautiful yet intentional space. Take a look at our rendering to give you a sense of how we see this turning out!

We always turn to Pinterest to gain inspo when gathering our ideas for a project … this pic is a perfect representation of the color palette we are loving for this space. Do you use Pinterest to get inspired as well? Follow us here to see all that we’re pinning!

 

Amber Interiors

 

1. Create a Cozy, Relaxing Spot to Watch TV

We’re tackling this task head on by creating the coziest spot ever to catch all your favorite shows and movies! And here’s the deal: we’re keeping the living room TV-free, so this rumpus room is going to be the holy grail for lounging and relaxing. First things first, we’re all about creating that “sink-in-and-never-leave” kinda vibe.

What’s the plan? A built-in sectional! Derrick is a DIY genius, and he’s going to work his magic here. He’s going to build a base for some custom cushions that will seamlessly integrate into that base, creating an epic sectional! We actually did the same thing with our banquette at Fall Creek, and let me just say, everyone is always fighting for those spots to sit at dinner. I’m envisioning a cozy soft fabric (the verdict is still out on which one), and the fluffiest and plumpest cushions, with lots of accent pillows for added plushness, of course.

Jean Stoffer Design

2. Build a Wet Bar

Our kitchen is on the smaller side, and we desperately need another spot to mix up cocktails, store barware and glasses, and keep our wine chilled to perfection. You know how it is when you’re trying to prepare a delicious meal but everyone insists on congregating in the kitchen? Yeah, not ideal for the chef either (aka Derrick). So, we’re solving this dilemma by creating a mini- oasis away from the kitchen chaos. Cue the wet bar! 

To keep things efficient, we’re opting for a nifty dual-zone mini-fridge that’ll house all our beverages and wine. It’s going to be beverage heaven my friends! We’re thinking of an arch design after being inspired by this photo (above) of a room designed by Jean Stoffer Design. Derrick might be rolling his eyes at the idea, but I personally think it adds a touch of whimsy and makes the space even more fun! We’ll see if we can make it happen ?

Now let’s talk aesthetics. We’re going for a bold and vibrant vibe with a punch of color. We’ve got our eyes set on this stunning tile by Fireclay for the backsplash. It’s like a rich, deep, rusty red, an almost brick-like hue that beautifully compliments the red rocks Central Oregon is famous for. Talk about blending the indoors with natural outdoor elements! And, here’s a fun twist: we’re planning to layer some funky wallpaper like this one by Morris & Co x McGee & Co on the inside of the arch. It’s all about adding that unexpected pop and infusing the space with our own unique style. 

 

Of course, we can’t forget about the details. We’ve stumbled upon these awesome brass shelf brackets on Etsy. They bring so much character and charm that we used them in our laundry room. Now they’re making their way to the wet bar! We’re planning on installing them with glass shelves to showcase our pretty glasses and barware. For all the fellow mixologists out there, get ready to see the wet bar of your dreams and let the good times flow!

3. Create Ambient Lighting

Let’s shed some light on the importance of ambient lighting for this rumpus room. Yes, this space is lacking overhead lighting. But fear not, we’ve got a plan to create that relaxing, inviting atmosphere — especially for those late-night reading and TV sessions. The absence of can lights will only make our evenings in this space even more intimate. And, the large wall-to-wall windows will provide more than enough light during the day time. 

First up, we are installing sconces over the built-in sectional. These babies will provide that perfect, warm glow for those quiet evenings curled up with a good book. The cool part is, we are going for sconces that can swivel. That way, we can angle the light just right for optimal reading comfort. It’s all about finding that sweet spot. 

We also have plans for this surface fixture over the wet bar. This fixture will provide some much needed illumination for the glass shelves and countertop, while adding a touch of style to the entire area.

So, what’s next?

The next steps: we’ll be taking our rumpus room to the next level of cozy and relaxing! We’re on the hunt for the perfect rug and coffee table, or even a large ottoman. Ideally, we’d find a rug that not only adds a touch of warmth and texture to the space, but also ties the whole room together with its stunning design. And, we’re torn between a classic coffee table and a large ottoman for that ultimate feet-up, chill-out experience. Let’s be real, ottomans are a dream come true when it comes to kicking back and relaxing. But, the tricky part is what to choose when you need a surface on which to set things down. Decisions, decisions! However, we’re determined to find the perfect solution that combines comfort and functionality.

Keep following along as we move through this fun project! We love to share our thought processes and inspiration with all of you.

 

Join the Conversation

get inspired
#clouzhouz
follow along
@clouz_houz
For a long time, I lived with a “one day” mindset.
One day, when the house is finished...
One day, when life slows down...
One day, when there’s something to celebrate.

But moving across the country, leaving behind everything familiar, and renovating a home while living in it has taught me something I never expected.

If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I’ll miss the life that’s unfolding right now. So now I set the table on an ordinary Tuesday. I buy the flowers. I light the candles. I pour the wine. Not because everything is perfect. Because it isn’t.

It’s because I’ve learned that every season of life is worth enjoying—even the messy, unfinished, uncertain ones.
Ironically, some of my favorite memories have been made in a home covered in dust, with projects half finished and paint samples still on the walls.

Maybe that’s the real purpose of a home. Not to impress people. But to remind us to slow down, gather together, and find beauty in the season we’re living in.
This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room.

I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything.

One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence.

You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier.

One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together.

That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.
This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room.

I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything.

One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence.

You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier.

One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together.

That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.
This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room.

I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything.

One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence.

You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier.

One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together.

That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.
This is probably the advice I recently give more than anything else: finish one room.

I know... everyone wants to tackle the kitchen, the bathrooms, the furniture, the lighting—all at once. I get it. But I’ve watched so many people get burnt out trying to make hundreds of decisions across five different spaces. At some point, you stop enjoying the process and start second-guessing everything.

One finished room changes that. Not because your house suddenly feels “done” (it doesn’t), but because it gives you confidence.

You start learning what you actually love to live with, and every room after that gets a little easier.

One thing that’s really important to us is taking a holistic approach. Even if we’re only designing one room today, we’re thinking about how it connects to the rest of your home-both now and years from now. Those bigger-picture decisions are what make a home feel collected instead of pieced together.

That’s also why we offer different ways to work together. Maybe you need help getting unstuck in one room. Maybe you’re ready for a complete design plan. Either way, we’re here to help you move forward with confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, we’d love to help. You can explore all of our design services through the link in our bio.