Rec Room Rejuvenation-Make your rec room look great, and keep it that way.

From incorporating thematic elements to adding a couple small storage items, little changes can make a big difference in the way your rec room looks, feels and functions.

Create a Theme

Make your rec room reflect what it’s really about: fun. Does your family share a common interest? Use this common pastime as a theme that ties together your rec room décor.

• Maybe it’s a sport or a favorite sports team. Do you have a signed ball? Cards you can frame? Hang kids’ uniforms on the wall and set out trophies to create your own family hall of fame. You can also purchase team-branded trash bins as alternative toy storage.
• Is this where family fun night happens? Frame a jigsaw puzzle you finished together or everyone’s best ever Yahtzee score. Chinese Checkerboards also make for colorful and fun wall art.
• Is your rec room a perfect spot for family flicks? Hang movie posters. Use popcorn containers for storing smaller toys. Add director’s chairs with your names on them. And of course, display your DVD collection for all to see.

Personalized Décor

Each family member has different interests. While the main area is everybody’s space, try to define different stations for more personal use and give them a more personalized look. Here are some ideas:

• Position a comfy chair in a far corner to create your own reading nook and decorate with some stacks of your favorite reads.
• Give the little artist her own studio space, complete with a hanging gallery of work.
• Provide the young rock star with his own practice area where he can hang posters of his favorite musical artists.
• An easy way to divide one area of the room from another is with a fabric canopy. Try draping sheer fabric or curtain panels from the ceiling. You can even use an empty picture frame to provide structure to the top of the canopy or hang hooks or rods on the wall to pull back the curtain when it’s not needed.
• Trying to cover up metal pipes or shabby walls? By hanging colorful, textured drapes along a wall, you can instantly—and inexpensively—take your space from sterile to stylish. Simply mount curtain rods high on the wall, close to the ceiling, then hang your drapes. If using multiple panels, achieve a polished effect by attaching hook-and-loop tape along the sides of each drape, then fasten the panels together.

This way, you’ll have a personalized space all your own and kids can show off their hobbies in a more polished way to guests and friends.

Stylish Storage

Rec rooms tend to collect clutter. Avoid this with strategic decorations that look great and double as organizational elements.

• Board games are nostalgic icons of family fun. The boxes are often colorful and interesting. Show off your collection by using it as decoration. Stack your favorites on a bookshelf or under a side table to leave room for less attractive clutter in the closet.
• Do you ever fold throw blankets and arrange them nicely on the couch, only to find them strewn around an hour later? Store them nearby in a decorative basket. This is a clever way to make tidying up easier while adding finishing touches to your décor.
• There is an unlimited number of stylish, yet smart toy storage solutions, including a traditional toy box, large baskets or a row of bins. Adding some personalized touches with paint, like the child’s name or a fun design, makes it both functional and beautiful. Whether they’re for your kids or for guests’ children, remember to store toys low so that they are easily accessible.
• If you need extra space for storage, consider a pegboard with hooks you can find at your local hardware store. This is a great option for organizing craft supplies and the pegboard can be painted to match your rec room décor.

Not only will the rec room look stylish and fun, it will be easy to maintain. Sprawl out for a long movie, plop down for a quick board game, or even try your refreshed rec room as a new venue to entertain friends.