Den Room Ideas

The den represents a place where families participate in hobbies or go to unwind.

The den is the room where a family goes to unwind, work on hobbies or watch television. As such, its decorating elements should reflect the varied character of the room. These elements together help build the personality of the room or assist in making the space more comfortable and livable.

Focal Point

The decision about which room element to make into the focal point stands as one of the most important ones in decorating the den. The focal point establishes where the eye should start when taking in the decorative elements of the room. It forms the beginning mark for the visual flow that happens throughout the room. Decorative elements, like the fireplace, a built-in bookcase or a grand piano, represent some focal points that many interior decorators choose when putting together a room. For example, if your den has a fireplace, strengthen its focal point properties by painting the fireplace wall and the fireplace if you're comfortable doing so. Paint the fireplace a different color than the walls around it, such as a red/yellow paint contrast with the red paint on the fireplace and the yellow paint on the surrounding walls. Hang a gallery of black and white photos above the mantel, and adorn the mantel itself with white candles or sculptures.

Unusual Elements

Creating visual interest in a room keeps you from getting bored and helps create a certain visual contrast in the den. Interesting looking accessories and unusual decorative elements set the tone for this. Try adding decoupage images to the walls, such as pictures from illustrated magazines. Set up an old-fashioned dress dummy in the corner, and outfit it with an antique costume from another era. Scoot an octagon-shaped ottoman or an antique trunk in front of the couch for an alternative to the standard coffee table. Hang old advertising signs that you found at a local flea market on the wall in lieu of artwork. A large mirror hung on the wall not only adds decorative pizazz, but it also brings more light to the area by reflecting any light in the room --- a definite plus for a basement den, which might tend to be dark.

Spaces Issues

A den that is too small puts restrictions on the types of activities you can do in the den unless you take steps to address the shortage of space. Several solutions exist to this den dilemma. For example, extend the floor space by buying a loft bed for the den. The bed portion of the loft will provide extra sitting space, as well as a place for kids to have friends sleep over, and the portion underneath the bed can house furniture items, like a couch or a games or crafts area. Instead of expanding in an outward fashion, the loft allows you to move upward and take advantage of the space along the walls. Another solution is double-duty furniture. These items, like ottomans with storage compartments, a coat bench or a hide-a-bed couch, all allow you to do more with less.

Mix Patterns

Mixing patterns in the den offers you a way to bring vibrancy to the space as well as use color in a different kind of way to create a cohesive whole despite the mixing and matching of patterns. For example, if you've chosen the color blue as the decorating color for the room, look for items like throw pillows that feature that color blue. You can then mix the patterns on all the throw pillows on the couch as long as they feature blue. A paisley pattern can be matched with stripes or polka dots with blue as the unifying element. Other ways you can apply this principle are featuring curtains that have this color in them or a rug or a chair with the main color.

References

• "Trading Spaces: Make It Yours"; Brian Kramer, editor; 2004
• Apartment Therapy: How to Decoupage your Ceiling
• Creative Homemaking: Bunks and Lofts: Beds for Small Spaces; Tameka Norris
• The Budget Decorator: 5 Quick and Cheap Decorating Ideas for Family Living; Kathy Woodard
• Country Living: Small-Space Decorating Ideas
• Country Living: Creating a Guest Room; Elizabeth Roehrig

Resources

• Country Living: Decorating Ideas for a Living Room
• Country Living: Redecorating a Family Room; Lawrence Bilotti
• Southern Living: Real-Life Redo: Cozy Den