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Fresh Design Ideas

Feeling Comfortable and at Home

Creating a home that you truly feel 'at home' in is easily achieved once you determine how that home will accommodate the needs and interests of you and your family. As you do this, you must consider two basic factors: how the room will be used; and what the mood of the room will be.

How Will The Room Be Used?
· Determine if the room will be public or private. Will you be using it for entertaining or strictly for family and close friends? Public rooms are generally more structured and less casual.
· Resolve who will be using the room. Will it be primarily for adults, or children or both? Areas used only by adults can accommodate more formal and precious furnishings.
· Select only furniture/furnishings that work with the selected use and users of the room. Eliminate unnecessary furnishings. Spaces used mainly for entertaining will need seating groups for both large scale and intimate conversation and plenty of convenient small tables for food and beverages. If, however, it is more likely that the family will congregate here, all activities that will take place in this space need to be addressed. This could include reading, game playing, TV watching, music, or conversation.
· Group the room's furniture based on the function of the room. Spaces used for entertaining work well with several seating groups as well as walking around space. A TV room will need adequate comfortable seating with a good view of the television. A room designated for family conversation should have comfortable seating grouped close enough for all to participate.

Before

What Mood Do You Want For The Room?
· Make sure the mood is appropriate to the room's use. Space used primarily for entertaining usually requires a more formal feel than one used by close family members.
· Establish a mood that is compatible with your lifestyle. Do you live in a quiet, relaxed way, or do you live an energized and active life?
· Determine your personal tastes and preferences. Do you like country and casual, traditional and formal, sleek and sophisticated, open and airy?
· Select a color palette that you love and that makes you feel good. Cool colors are more serene, warm colors are cozier.

Considering these issues will help you think through how you actually live, not how you wish you lived, and what you really like, not what is currently popular. By thinking clearly about yourself and your family, reflecting on your lifestyle and your likes and dislikes, you will realize what you really want and what will make you feel comfortable and at home. Once you have done this, creating the room will be a breeze.

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