Family Room Decor Ideas and Moodboard
Our family room has always been the heart of our home, but lately, it’s started to feel a little a lot outdated; with a growing mix of pieces we’ve added at different times over the past six years or so. For years, we’ve wanted to strip it down to the bare walls and give it a full refresh. We have spent time browsing through decor ideas for a curated and modern family room, but we can never quite agree on what direction to take. I’ve realized now that it’s not just about choosing new furniture and accents; it’s about creating a space that feels intentional for how we live today.
The last time we gave this room some love, was in 2018 when I published our Family Room Makeover with HGTV Paint. And even though, we have a new couch, and coffee table, the family room still feels old, un-loved and neglected.
I have been browsing Pinterest for fresh modern and transitional decor ideas for our family room, and I always come out overwhelmed, and empty! My goal isn’t to chase Pinterest-perfect decorating ideas or trends that fade quickly. It’s about designing a modern family room that is still a cozy space that reflects this season of life—clutter-free, warm, and cat-friendly. Especially cat-friendly!
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Today, I am sharing our family room redecoration ideas. What’s working, what isn’t, and how I’m aiming to blend simple family room decor with modern comfort that still feels like us.
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Family Room vs. Living Room: How We Use Each Space
We’re a small family—just three of us and one rambunctious cat. Our days are filled with simple moments, often quiet ones, since our teenager spends about 99% of his time in his room! But when we do gather, it’s almost always in the family room.
Not everyone has the luxury of two living areas, and I don’t take that for granted. Our living room is the grander space with two-story ceilings—the one that welcomes guests and feels more formal. The family room, on the other hand, is where real life happens. It’s smaller, cozier, and sits right off the kitchen. It’s where we watch TV, eat pizza on the coffee table, and unwind together at the end of the day.
That’s why this redesign matters so much. It’s not just about furniture or style—it’s about making the room we use most feel as comfortable, intentional, and loved as the memories we’re creating in it.
Dive deeper into the difference between a family room and a living room, here.
What’s Working in Our Family Room
Before dreaming up new family room decor ideas, I wanted to pause and look at what’s already serving us well. These are the pieces that have stayed—not because they’re perfect, but because they fit how we live.
1. Coffee Table
We purchased our coffee table on Wayfair about a year ago. It is far from luxurious, but it’s the MVP of our family room. The lift-top design is perfect for working late nights beside my husband or enjoying easy dinners on movie nights. It’s lightweight, practical, and offers just the right amount of storage. Sometimes, simple is exactly what a family room needs. In our family, we all share one thing in common: we value function over fancy.
While I am certainly not looking to replace it soon. There are a few that caught my eye, and I have included them in my family room decor ideas mood board.
✨ What I’m Considering Next
I’m feeling drawn to modern coffee tables with hidden storage; something with a simple design, light wood finish, and just enough room for everyday essentials.
2. Side Table
Our side table is a bit of a mismatch. It has that farmhouse style that used to go perfectly with our old coffee table, but now it feels out of place. Still, it’s one of those pieces that earns its keep; it has good bones and is the perfect size and height for our reclining couch and chair. For now, it stays. Sometimes, practicality wins over aesthetics, and that’s perfectly okay for me.
3. Accents & Shelves
The floating shelves my husband built in 2018 (when we painted the family room) are my favorite feature in the room. They’re styled minimally, with just a few meaningful pieces. This is a small nod to the shift from cluttered décor to calm, curated simplicity I have been leaning towards the past couple of years.
4. Couch & Pillows
Our electric reclining leather sofa and chair are fairly new—about six years old—and they’ve truly stood the test of family life (and cat!). They’re not the most cat-friendly pieces (we already have a few scratches to prove it), but they’re comfortable, easy to clean, and incredibly low-maintenance.
To soften the look and make the space feel cozier with blankets which also double up as a soft landing pad for our rambunctious cat, as well as a pet bed strategically placed in the center of the couch. I layer the couch and chair with our favorite UGG pillows; velvety, zippered, and washable. I may rotate the covers later to add new patterns or tones, but since our family room is our landing pad, comfort will always be the priority.
✨ What I’m Considering Next
A neutral area rug is next on my list; something soft to anchor the furniture and add texture to a space that can sometimes feel a little cold. Since our home is tiled throughout, I definitely crave the warmth of a soft rug under my feet.
What’s Not Working (and Why)
Even the most functional spaces need evolution. These are the areas of our family room that are ready for change.
1. Lighting
Our floor lamp is the definition of “love-hate.” It’s a tall, traditional Tuscan-style piece that’s been with us for nineteen years—definitely more old-world than our current taste. Yet we can’t seem to part with it. It gives off the best light in the room and anchors the left corner. We’ll soon replace it with something sleeker and more modern, a piece that fits the updated direction of our family room; but for now, it’s a reminder that thoughtful design takes time.
✨ What I’m Considering Next
I’ve been looking for a modern floor lamp for the family room—something slim and minimalist with warm ambient lighting that complements our new decor direction.
I love the idea of a sleek black or brushed brass base to bring a subtle contrast and tie in with the modern touches we’re adding throughout the space.
2. Media Console
Our media console is another long-time resident—eighteen years and counting! It once had a bulky hutch that dominated the wall and added unnecessary visual clutter. More cubbies meant more knickknacks, and it just made the whole unit feel heavy.
When we finally removed the hutch last year, the room could breathe again. We purchased hardware to mount the TV on the wall (and never did) and kept the lower cabinet for now. Honestly, we haven’t missed the extra shelves one bit. It actually gave me perspective and even though I still want storage, I am staying away from glass doors. I’d like to conceal all the board games and everything elese that could land in this room.
We’d even started planning a custom built-in with a contractor, but when the project fell through (sadly the contractor suddenly passed away), it turned out to be for the best. It gave me time to think intentionally about what we truly need.
Now, I’m leaning toward this media console with a built-in electric fireplace—something sleek, functional, and warm all at once. I also love this fluted one, and the price is unbeatable!
I refined my list down to 7 favorite media console tables from Amazon. Check it out HERE.
3. Layout and Flow Of The Family Room
The cube table behind the couch (which once served as storage for the videogame room) is practical, but imperfect. It doesn’t align with the couch height (we used to have a couch with a much lower back before). Also, the recliner couch blocks the picture frames I keep on top (which was a good idea in the past, but now its time to declutter!)
This is a reminder that even small mismatches can interrupt the flow of a room. My goal is to create a space that feels both functional and visually open, even if it takes time to get there.
Decorating my family room isn’t just about style; it’s about balance. Modern design can feel cold without warmth, and cozy décor can feel cluttered without restraint. Finding that sweet spot between both is where my heart—and intention—are.
A Simple Family Room Reset: Start Small, Think Deep
If your own family room feels stuck, start with one small corner—a shelf, a side table, or even your coffee table—and give it new life. Keep what feels meaningful, remove what doesn’t, and add one element of warmth. Small edits often bring big clarity.
Because at the end of the day, home isn’t built from quick makeovers or perfect Pinterest boards. I believe a curated, functional and intentional home is shaped by choices made with intention.
I used to think a home’s beauty came from the things we filled it with. Now I see it comes from the space we create to live and breathe. Redecorating this family room is less about replacing furniture and more about learning to see the beauty in what already works; and making room for what’s next. Whether the new pieces and decor in our family room lean toward modern, traditional, or transitional, we’ll make the best of them as we keep creating lasting memories.
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris
Bringing Modern Warmth to the Family Room
As I work on updating our family room, my hope is to inspire you to see your own home with fresh eyes. Start with what’s working. Rethink what’s not. And don’t rush to fill every space; let it evolve as your life does.
If you love intentional decorating and practical home decor ideas for the family room, stay tuned for part two of this makeover—where I’ll share our mood board, color palette, and the new furniture picks that will bring this cozy modern vision to life.