Designing a Functional and Stylish Great room

By Vicky Kujundzic Owner of Vicky's Homes

There’s a well-known design principle that says “form should follow function.” While we agree that functionality is essential, we believe homeowners should never have to compromise on style to achieve it. A well-designed great room can deliver both: thoughtful functionality and a show-stopping aesthetic that elevates the entire home.

One of the biggest challenges for families, especially those with young children is storage. Toys, games, books, and everyday clutter need a place to live without overwhelming the space. This is where intentional design makes all the difference. Custom built-ins, concealed cabinetry, and integrated storage solutions allow families to stay organized while keeping the room visually calm and cohesive. What works beautifully for a young family can also evolve seamlessly as children grow into young adults.

In many open-concept homes, the great room fireplace feature wall becomes the natural focal point. This element anchors the entire space and sets the tone for the surrounding kitchen and dining areas. One of the most popular choices we’re seeing is large-format porcelain slabs that span from floor to ceiling. These slabs offer a sleek, contemporary look with minimal grout lines, creating a clean and luxurious feel. For homeowners to consider this option, we always recommend asking about book-matching the seams. When done correctly, the veining mirrors itself, giving the illusion of a single, uninterrupted slab, an instant wow factor.  If you are on a tighter budget, you can go with porcelain tiles instead.

Families with younger children may want to balance this bold feature with practicality. Incorporating lower cabinetry on one or both sides of the fireplace is a smart solution. These cabinets can house toys, games, and media components while remaining easily accessible for kids. Soft-close doors, durable finishes, and thoughtful proportions ensure the space stays both kid-friendly and refined. From a design perspective, I’m a strong advocate for asymmetry. While perfectly symmetrical fireplace feature walls can feel formal and static, an asymmetrical layout introduces more visual interest and allows more creativity to shine. Mixing open shelving on one side with vertical slats on the other creates visual interest.

However, built-in storage is not the only way to achieve a great family-friendly room. One detail often underestimated is the importance of choosing the right furniture pieces. Strategic furniture selection can significantly reduce the need for additional cabinetry altogether. For example, opting for coffee tables with lift-up or removable lids allows families to discreetly store toys, games, and everyday items out of sight. This approach preserves the clean, uncluttered look of the space without compromising practicality.

By thoughtfully integrating storage into furniture, homeowners gain the freedom of having a more architecturally impressive feature wall design, while still accommodating real life.

Ultimately, a successful great room is one that reflects the lifestyle of the family living in it. With the right planning, materials, and custom details, it’s possible to create a space that functions effortlessly for everyday life while still making a bold design statement. At Vicky’s Homes, we believe your great room should work hard for your family and look incredible doing it.