Creating a Cozy Gathering Room

May 21, 2026

We have extra open space in our home, so we turned that space into a family gathering and movie room. Fun fact: we found the original house plans in the mechanical room when we moved in. The original plans show that there was not going to be a second floor above the third garage. Then, the builder decided to add a room above that section of garage. Hence, a bonus room!

It’s nice to have a place where we can gather and talk about how everyone is doing and what their day was like. We use this room for family discussions, calendaring, planning activities and trips, setting goals, and talking about future hopes and dreams.

We all have our own experiences and joys and trials in life. Some days are great, and some are not. Some days don’t end well, or even start well. Not all school tests go well, not all first dates turn into second dates, not all friendships last, or even should. Yet, happily, some do. So, it’s nice to have a place where everyone can gather and talk about what has been going well and what hasn’t.

This gathering room is different from a home theatre room. It’s not in the basement, it’s not dark, it’s not remote. And yes, we do watch movies here as well. It’s a cozy, cheery, comfortable room where we can gather at any time, for any reason.

Whether you have a houseful, or it’s just the two of you, or you are on your own, having a dedicated space for quiet reflection, regrouping and reassessing, and planning out goals and a future path is helpful and beneficial for everyone and anyone.

A COZY GATHERING SPACE

We have changed this room around a few times while trying to come up with the best use of this space. I love how it has turned out.

This is what the room looked like when we purchased the house.

We took out the carpet and put in pine wood flooring.

We used Dark Walnut stain:

Minwax Dark Walnut Stain

Minwax Polyurethane

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We also painted the walls and put in new light fixtures.

The paint color we used is Benjamin Moore Bavarian Cream 2146-70.

And we replaced the windows on the south side and front of the house. We still need to replace the windows on the north side and back of the house. As you can see from the pictures. Windows are expensive! so we are replacing them in stages.

When we first began our remodel of the house, I put up velvet curtains around all the windows. They were warm and inviting and soft and elegant. And I liked them for quite a while. But, I have since discovered that I’m not a curtain person. I tend towards minimalism, and curtains felt like one more thing. They also took up space unnecessarily and made the room feel smaller. So, once I came to that realization, we took down the curtains and put up blinds.

Velvet Curtains in Earth Tones, Many Sizes

Window Sheers in Several Colors & Sizes

Curtain Rods with Fleur de Lis Finials, in Several Metal Tones & Lengths

Curtain Rods with Twisted Cage Finial, in Several Metal Tones & Several Lengths

Double Curtain Rods for Curtains & Sheers, Several Colors & Sizes

Large Curtain Rings in Several Metal Tones

Curtain Pins in Several Metal Tones

Cordless Blackout Window Blinds, in Several Colors

View similar lanterns here:

Moroccan Lantern with LED Lights, in Several Colors

Stainless Steel Lantern in Shiny Metallic Colors

Lanterns with LED Candles in Various Styles, Sets of 2

Wooden Farm Style Lanterns, Set of 2

Black Iron Lanterns in Several Styles, Sets, & Sizes

View similar candle holders here:

Wrought Iron Votive Candle Holder, Several Styles & Colors

5 Arm Candelabra, Antique Brass

Taper Candle Holder, in Copper & in Oxide

Elaborate Taper Candlestick Holders, in Gold & in Silver, Sets of 2

Wrought Iron Black Taper Candle Holders, Set of 3

View some of my favorite area rugs here:

Oriental Rug in Several Colors

Area Rug with Large Flower Design, in Ivory & in Black

Patterned Area Rugs in Bright Colors

These are my favorite throw blankets. They come in soft pastels and in bright jewel tones.

Fleece Throw Blankets in Various Colors & Sizes

And view these accent pillows here:

William Morris Pillow Covers, in Several Patterns & Sizes

Cream Accent Pillow Covers with Custom French Monogram

Velvet Accent Pillow Covers with Diamond Pattern

Satin Accent Pillow Covers with Damask Pattern, in Jewel Tones

Accent Pillow Inserts in Multiple Sizes

View similar decorative hangings here:

Metal Sun Moon Star Hanging Art, 11 inches

Metal Sun Moon Star Hanging Art, 24 inches

Stained Glass Window Hanging, Sunset & Nature

Stained Glass Window Hanging, Birds & Nature

Nate is replacing our light fixtures. I really like outdoor pendant lights, so that’s what we chose. They are really beautiful indoors. Give them a try!

You can see this was the beginning of our remodel. I had the sheers up, and the curtains were about to follow.

View some of my favorite pendant lights here:

3-Light Exterior Pendant Light, White

Oil-Rubbed Bronze Exterior Pendant Light with Seeded Glass

Exterior Pendant Light, Black with Seeded Glass, & with Rippled Glass

Quatrefoil Interior Pendant Light, in Farmhouse Wood Tones

View similar light fixtures here:

Brushed Nickel Globe Chandelier

Globe Chandeler in Several Metallic Tones

Black Chandelier, in Several Shapes

View some medallions here:

Ceiling Medallion for Light Fixtures, Several Colors, 12 inches

Ceiling Medallion for Light Fixtures, Several Colors, 15 inches

View some wall clocks here:

Double-Sided Bracket Wall Clock, Black

Double-Sided Bracket Wall Clock, Gold

View some cup holders and snack aids here:

Couch Cup Holder in Several Colors

Round Acacia Wood Trays, Set of 2

Hammered Copper Candy Bowl

View these similar love seats here:

Tufted Love Seat with Roll Arm Rests

Love Seat with 2 Tufted Accent Pillows, Various Colors

These stools come in so handy for extra seating and snack tables. And they are stackable. They are great!

Stackable Stools in Several Wood Tones

Fun tea candles:

LED Flameless Tea Candles in Several Colors

We love this room, and we use it often. Do you have a space in your home that you can make cozy, practical, and beautiful? Give this idea a try, and give yourself a place to gather, plan, and just think.

Crafting wishes,

Marilee

Take a look at this related post:

Reading Nooks for Relaxing Moments-find a place for one in your home