It’s time for a new “Then, Now, and Next” post, this time featuring our family rooms! Well sort of. In our next house this will translate into a theater room (the room that actually made us almost not get the house). It’s kind of this awkward, long and narrow room that’s not very large. It’s actually right off of where the playroom will be and when we looked at the house a second time it just clicked–THIS IS WHERE THE TV GOES! We’ll get into it more, but for now let’s look closer at our family room in the last house, this house, and peek at some before photos of the future theater room.

Then

Now

Next

Then

Just the other day I was talking about how I actually really miss our previous family room. It was truly a multi-purpose space (theater room, playroom, game room, music room) and somehow it worked! We divided it into moments but it all flowed together seamlessly. Overall it was more of a light, bright, and airy space (which is nice to see in a basement), but it’s a big contrast to our current dark and moody family room.

Sectional, Rug, Toy Storage, Pendant Light, Round Mirror

There are so many things in this basement that were kind of ground-breaking back in the day. The engineer prints, an indoor swing, a dark contrast wall, guitars on the wall, two light pendants above a table, toy storage that’s functional AND classy, hanging curtains in a basement… I could go on. This room looks and feels loungy, modern, traditional, and playful! Still love that space!!!

Now

You can find all of the sources here!

Differences and similarities? The images kind of speak for themselves don’t they?? Overall I think our family room now is much more elevated and intimate (another word for a lot smaller, too). We incorporated a lot more creams and beiges with the sofa and pillows to soften the green black walls that were perfect for disguising all of the speakers and sensors. Funny enough we had an Interior Define sectional in the previous family room, and this sectional is our Charly sofa line with Interior Define. We love a sectional and it’s key for casual lounging. I went even wider with the curtains to add more visual depth to the space. The contrast between the white curtains and dark wall actually reminds me of the contrast between the dark feature wall and the white walls.

Next

See what I mean by a little awkward? It’s really long and quite narrow–to the point where there would be little clearance for even a bed. Our plans for this room are still premature, but we do know for sure that this will be the only room in the house that will have wall-to-wall carpet to help with sound quality. Everywhere else in the house will have white oak flooring. We might close off the door leading to the bathroom and borrow some of that space for an upstairs laundry room. This will allow us to extend seating from wall to wall (I’m thinking of doing tiered so everyone gets a great view and we can maximize it in a small space). Style wise, this room will lend more on the modern colonial side which you can read more about here.

Be sure to check out our previous “Then and Now” posts of our primary bathrooms, living rooms, and the girls’ rooms.