Table of Contents
Introduction 12
Rooms That Multitask Party Central 16
A big, ugly rec room becomes a cool, contemporary party playroom for the whole family and their friends.
Fun, Functional, and Kid-Fabulous! 24
This hardworking basement can take anything two rambunctious little boys can dish out.
Chalet Inspiration 32
A stuck-in-the-sixties basement gets a ski lodge makeover.
Arts and Crafts Revisited 40
Taking this well-lived-in living room back to its roots creates a comfortable space for the entire family (including the animals).
Slam Dunk! 46
Luxurious color and stylish furniture make this “everything room” a winner.
Concealed and Camouflaged 52
Hiding the 1970s décor under paint, plaster, and wood brings this family room into the twenty-first century.
From Chaos to Clutter-Free 62
Zoning, storage, and art-inspired color give this super-busy family a hardworking space that’s organized, stylish, and fun.
Dressed Up and Family-Friendly 72
Shifting attention from a too-grand fireplace allows this basement family room to relax.
Crafters’ Heaven 84
Designed with sewing and crafting in mind, this unfinished space becomes a haven for the whole family.
A Night at the Movies 94
A home theater and space for hip-hop provide this underutilized basement with new purpose for three sisters and their mom.
Designed for a Drummer 102
A top-to-bottom reno gives this young family a place to rock out, chill out, or just play.
Space for Scrapbooking 114
A total redo of this 1950s “wreck room” offers a dedicated scrapbooker room to create.
Sew Lovely! 122
A dedicated sewing center is the highlight of this warm and wonderful basement.
Room for Music and More 132
The family’s favorite room gets a gorgeous, multifunctional makeover.
Modern Makeover 140
Classic mid-century modern style revives a sad retro family room.
Gathering Spaces Family Room Facelift 148
Paint and lighting change this room from dark and dated to warm and welcoming.
Asian Roots 154
A showplace Japanese garden sets the theme for a family room makeover that marries minimalism and comfort in simply perfect style.
Updated Neighborhood Pub 164
A small, dark basement becomes a cozy, inviting place for entertaining family and friends.
Just What the Doctor (and Nurse) Ordered 174
The cure for cold, dark, and creepy? Light, warm, and cozy!
Championship Season 182
A couple’s sports memorabilia guides the radical makeover of this purple playroom.
The Ultimate Guys’ Space 188
Theater seating and a big-screen TV transform an underutilized basement into a super-cool hangout for a single dad and his sons.
Casual Cottage Style 196
This great room says bye-bye plastic bins and dark brick, hello abundant storage and fresh cottage look.
Log-Cabin Living 204
Making the best of what was great and fixing what wasn’t transforms this great room from rural shabby to rustic chic.
Style Plus Substance 210
Yes, you can have a baby-friendly living room that’s high style and urban cool!
Index 220