subject: Family Time = Movie Time [print this page] A favorite by many families is their own family room at home. It's like a melting pot of interests, hobbies, personality and likes of the family members. This is a room where the family can work together and put their ideas as one. Consequently, a family room is a venue for enjoying things that are shared as a family. The bedrooms are personal spaces, the kitchen might be mom's turf and the garage dad's territory. However, a family room is the entire household's own. The center of the home unit.
Since the room probably already has a television set in it and is probably where most of the family TV watching is done, why not make the room into a home version of a movie theater? With such a theme, the decorating ideas will come fast and furious. Since the "theater screen" will be the focus of everyone's attention, this feature should get a lot of thought and planning. Could you install a full wall-size screen with an overhead projection system hung from the ceiling? The control panel for the audio and video could be installed in a wall and accessed with remote control devices. If such an arrangement is not feasible, purchase the largest screen TV that you can afford that will fit the room spatially.
Go full force with theater seats if you can. This will make the cinema viewing feel more realistic. If not, purchase really comfortable chairs and a cozy couch with extra ottomans or beanbags.
What is one trademark of movie theaters? The movie posters, isn't it? We see the "Now Showing" and "Coming Soon" or "Next Attraction" ads. You can do the same by posting posters of the movies you like. You can each have a pick or more and display them throughout the room.
Decorate the rooms with colorful items to make it look more cheerful. Not because a movie theater is generally dark that you would turn your family room into a somber place. The entertainment center is already sufficient furnishing to fill the room. The big screen is more than enough to make it impressive. But you can inject colors in chairs as previously mentioned, and in wall decors. You can use real movie posters or drawn art by the kids, especially those movie-related. It can be Spiderman, your son's favorite superhero or the ever popular Sesame Street gang. Wall hanging can also be posters of favorite movie and television actors, or even your own family photos. After all, this is a family room. What better way to make it right to the point than by showing off your family's stuff?
If there is some space for a mini-refrigerator or cooler, you can store some beverages and snacks in there. No need to run out to the kitchen and back. There are also popcorn makers that you can buy so you'll have your own supply of fresh popcorn to munch on come movie time.
With food comes responsibility to clean up. Particularly with children around, getting the floor dirty is to be expected. Carpeting is not practical. Protect the flooring with area rugs. Use big sizes and place them strategically throughout the room. Coupled with throw pillows, the family room will look cozier. You can even lie down on the floor while watching TV.
Have some storage for the board games, reading materials, CDs and DVDs. Make the family room comfortable by getting it organized. Without things lazily strewn around, the room will look better and feel more relaxing. If there's anything to be lying around in heaps if you want to, are throw pillows for more comfort factor.
What an enjoyable family activity to bond over good movies. Without spending for movie night-outs on weekends, you'll have the same movie experience. Additionally, the children will have a blast playing their video games on the big screen.
