I’m sharing an example of an Interior Design Room Scheme today, in this case an eclectic media room designed for the whole family.
Room Schemes give you a full room design, with all the tools you need to execute that design yourself. You’ll get a full list of links to products or instructions on where to buy, and you still benefit from access to trade discounts. But you manage the installation yourself, which can save a good chunk of money. It’s a perfect solution if your budget is on the tighter side, but you have the ability/inclination to put some man hours in yourself. For pricing and further details, read more here.
Although I’m now working solely in the UK, this family media room design was for a US client. The family had a large room with a slightly challenging layout, which they wanted to turn into casual space for lounging and watching TV. They wanted a transitional aesthetic, blending old and new styles. We ended up mixing midcentury-inspired pieces with a nod to industrial style and a splash of modern glam.
Coral Rug – House of Jade // Diptych – West Elm // Table – Target
Watercolor Print – Minted // Bean Bag – PB Teen
Paint – Ben Moore Hale Navy // Blinds – RH Baby & Child // Blue Pillow – Etsy
Coral Pillow – West Elm // Sectional – West Elm // Bar Cart – CB2
Bookcase – Overstock // Plant Basket – Target // Table Lamp – One Kings Lane
Ottoman – West Elm // Blue Rug – West Elm // Chair – One Kings Lane
Table – Target // Floor Lamp – Target
FAMILY MEDIA ROOM | DESIGN PLAN
LAYOUT
This is a big room, so I separated into two distinct spaces, both grounded with area rugs. At one end, cozy seating centers on the fireplace. To avoid multiple focal points, I recommended mounting the TV above the fireplace, with tall bookshelves flanking it.
The opposite end of the family media room functions as a study/game-playing area, with a desk tucked away to the left of the door, and the clients’ existing pub table positioned in front of the windows.
PAINT
The room benefits from plenty of natural light, so it was a great opportunity to go moody on the walls. Darker colours can make a big visual impact, and can also soften reflections when watching TV. Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is bold but not over-powering.
I suggested painting the bottom two-thirds of the space in navy, leaving the tops and the cathedral ceilings crisp white. It’s a simple trick that visually heightens the ceilings, while retaining the bright, airy feel of the room. Think something along these lines…
SECTIONAL SOFA
Seating is the main investment in this space, and sectional sofas are perfect for lounging to watch TV. With any Emmerson & Fifteenth Room Scheme, you’ll always get a few alternative options, so we can curate a space you love, piece by piece.
In this family media room design, I recommended a sofa in a neutral, kid-friendly performance fabric, so it’s wipe-able and will stay looking new for years. I provided a couple of alternative options – one more budget friendly, one sofa without the chaise, but still good for lounging.
CHAIRS
We talked about flanking the sectional with an occasional chair, coupled with a snuggly bean bag. The coral chair on the mood board ties in well visually with the colour scheme of warm pinks and navy blues, but we also discussed some very different options, from more traditional to more modern.
RUGS
Rugs soften noise, add warmth and define spaces. We opted for a warm coral 5’ x 7’ rug with a small-scale pattern in the study/game area, big enough to ground the chairs and table. In the living/media area of this family room design, we went for a larger pattern to add some visual interest in a bold navy colour.
CUSHIONS
Coordinating throw cushions can really help a space feel cohesive.
OTTOMAN
A firm ottoman can play double-duty as a footstool and a coffee table, and I always try to bring some raw materials into any space. This leather one echoes the wood tones throughout the space.
A large tray on top can corral drinks and nibbles. I’d spend some time looking for a unique vintage piece like this one spotted on Etsy. eBay is also a great place to look for bits like this.
BOOKCASES
Two tall bookcases flanking the fireplace provide a place for media equipment, as well books, family photos and decorative objects. Their height plays into another handy design tip – they visually draw the eye up, which again accentuates the vaulted ceiling in the family room.
SIDE TABLES
The’re nothing to say you have to buy a piece of furniture and use it for it’s intended purpose. In this case, the long, narrow shape of a bar cart would make a perfect side table for the sectional, and a basket on the bottom shelf could hold blankets for cozy movie nights.
A sturdy drinks table could also play double duty as extra seating when the family are hosting guests.
WINDOW TREATMENTS
Simple linen blinds will showcase beautiful windows without competing with their architectural details. Adding a blackout lining makes them perfect for movie nights.
LIGHTING
I can’t underestimate the importance of good task lighting in any room design scheme. A floor lamp near the chair would create a cozy reading spot, and the industrial style of the pulley light echoes the existing pub table in the game/study area.
With the table lamp, we bring in a bit of modern glam. Side by side, these don’t necessarily work together, but paired with the other elements in the overall room scheme, they create interest and contrast.
Of course, two task lights would not be enough for a room this size, but we aim to add in wall sconces and potentially more task lighting later.
ARTWORK
Large-scale, impactful art work is key to tying the scheme together. I’d choose a ‘chic metal’ or ‘whitewashed herringbone’ frame on this striking abstract print, which combines the colors in the scheme.
This diptych echoes the other metallic elements in the room, and speaks to the watercolours in the large abstract print.
We also looked at a few other options, including a gorge rattan mirror.
PLANT
Plants add dimension to any space, and a large-scale, structural dose of greenery would fit perfectly in the game area. A basket in a natural material can serve a pot (using a plastic liner), and another organic element to the space is never a bad thing.
BUDGET | $6000
Depending on selections, the total for this design plan is somewhere between $5000 and $7500.
I always recommend investing in the higher end items that you love, but pairing them with more affordable options.
Sectional / Sofa – $860 – $2200
Chair – $350 – $775
Bean bag – $130
Rug (navy) – $625
Rug (coral) – $270 – $450
Cushions – $140
Ottoman – $560
Bookcases – $360 – $730
Bar cart – $300
Drum table – $70
Roman blinds – $400
Floor lamp – $130
Table lamp – $170
Art (diptych) – $370
Art (watercolor) – $375
Plant pot – $20
TOTAL – $5130 – $7445
If you’d like more info on Emmerson & Fifteenth’s interior design services, check out this page or get in touch.
