5 Ways to Redesign Your Family Room for Closer Connection

Thanks to technology we have more ways to instantly communicate than ever before, however creating your own conversation room is a great way to encourage more face-to-face communication with family and friends. - housetipster.com

As moms, we share a goal to create close connections with our families and to use our home to foster those relationships. We all want to create a home our kids will come visit after they make their way out into the world.

Well, you've probably heard about creating conversation spaces so that guests feel comfortable and gatherings flow more smoothly when you have people over. But imagine the power those spaces have to foster or derail the close connections you want to create with your own family.

3 Ways to Redesign Your Family Room to Create Closer Connections

Today, take a moment to think about the room in your home where everyone gathers after dinner, or for family movie night, or after church on Sunday. Often, it's the family room or living room, but choose whatever the room is for you.

Here are three ways to help your family create closer connections with you and with each other, in that room...

(1) Move your furniture away from the walls & create conversation spaces that are close enough for everyone to hear each other easily. Also, make sure they are angled in such a way that it's easy to see each other without having to turn to do so.

If it's uncomfortable to turn their heads and their bodies, they won't do it. Also, you may only have one chance to hear what they mumbled, and if you're close enough, you won't miss it.

And avoid creating a room wherein every seat is turned toward the TV and/or fireplace, but not toward each other. A big screen TV may bring them into the room, but may not bring them any closer together without a warm, conversational layout.

For longer or bigger rooms, create two conversational areas.

(2) Add blankets, quilts or throws that are easy to grab and snuggle under, and pillows that are soft and malleable, and comfortable to lean against.

Once they are tucked in, they are less likely to run away before you can talk them out of it. ;)

But also, they may stay with you longer, even after the movie is over and the popcorn has been eaten.

(3) Keep your games nearby, within easy reach, and possibly even within sight.

Walking past the game bin, shelf or box may make it more likely that your family will be inspired to play. Or, they may be more receptive to doing so when you suggest it, because they have been seeing them as they walked past or while hanging out in the room.

(4) Declutter the room, to create a more spacious feel & remove the winces.

When your eyes rest, if it rests on clutter, it may create subtle feelings of discomfort without your being aware of it.

My son has caught me wincing about areas of clutter when I didn't even realize it. Perhaps your family notices, too?

(5) Make it a room everyone loves by adding items, colors, photos, etc., that will help your family feel at home in the room.

If you're not sure what to add, ask them at dinner. Even a favorite toy or book can be kept there, in a basket or on a shelf.

Do any of these redesign ideas appeal to you, and if so, which one might you try first?

I'll be back tomorrow with another post! See you then.

Love, Jeanine

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Did you take the free decluttering challenge? Tomorrow,
I'll be sharing my results in the room I chose. Go sign up
if you haven't already & share a link to your results here,
when you read tomorrow's post or at the hashtag,
#tackleyourscariestspace
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~