If you’re looking for vaulted family room addition ideas to add as a new addition to your house, this is a great place to begin your search. As you know, nowadays having an open space with a sophisticated look and still letting your living room be fun in many ways can be a bit troubling for families, but here’s the solution for that, and that is a vaulted family room.
I have worked with many families who wanted an airy feeling, a versatile design, lots of natural light, and a place where they could have parties, too. To serve these requirements, we added ideas like a picture window, exposed wooden beams, and indoor plants. Ideas like these can be a great help when building vaulted family rooms.
In this post, we will learn 17 amazing ideas that are suitable for everyone, whether you’re transforming your space into a more lively and open space or just looking to add that character and drama to your living space, a vaulted room is a perfect choice for you.
Let’s get started with our ideas.
17 Sophisticated Vaulted Family Room Addition Ideas for You
When I started with the projects in the beginning, I was completely overwhelmed by all the ideas that were out there. But after countless nights of work and transformations, I have collected some of the best and amazing vaulted family room ideas, like an open concept layout, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, wide plank flooring, and many more ideas that you will get to know in this section.
Maximise Natural Light with Windows
The absolute game-changer in the vaulted addition? Windows. Lots and lots of windows. We put in a wall of windows facing the backyard, and I swear it made the room feel twice as big.
The client was worried about the privacy at first, but we went for these amazing smart glass panels that can switch from clear to frosted with just a button press. They weren’t cheap, but worth every penny.
If you’re concerned about heat, check out Low-E glass options. We coated the windows with it, which keeps the room from turning into a greenhouse during summer while letting in all that beautiful light.
Enhance the Room with Exposed Beams
One of my clients wanted exposed beams for the living room. As they’d make the space feel too rustic. And if you love rustic boho style for your house. You should give it a try.
We went with simple Douglas fir beams in a whitewash finish. They draw your eye up and make the ceiling feel even higher than it is. Plus, we added these gorgeous metal brackets that give just a hint of industrial style without going overboard..
Incorporate Statement Lighting For The Ceiling
Lighting a vaulted space can be tricky. Those high ceilings mean standard fixtures might look tiny and sad up there. I love those modern chandeliers with multiple glass globes at different heights, as they fill the vertical space beautifully and cast the coolest shadows at night.
For task lighting, go with tucked-in wall sconces that swivel. Perfect for when someone wants to read while others are watching TV.
Add Built-In Storage to the Walls
Storage is non-negotiable for any kind of space, like built-in floor-to-ceiling cabinets along one wall. The bottom parts that would have those deep drawers for games and blankets, the middle section should be open shelving where you can display books and a few pretty things, and the top cabinets to store all the ugly stuff.
For the client, we painted the whole unit the same colour as the walls, which makes it feel like an integrated part of the architecture rather than furniture. If you go this route, spend the extra money on good cabinet hardware. It makes such a difference! We used these brass pulls from Schoolhouse that I’m still obsessed with.
Create Multi-Functional Spaces
When you’re adding a whole new room, it’s tempting to make it just one thing. But the best vaulted family rooms work for multiple activities.
One of my client want the space to be divided into multiple zones. So we created three zones: a TV watching area with comfy seating, a small game table spot near the windows, and a little reading nook in the corner with a cushy chair and good lamp. And it’s amazing to see how you can use the same room for different works at the same time.
Ensure Open-Concept Layout
When going for an open concept for a vaulted family room, just knock down the walls between the kitchen, dining area, and living room to create the open feeling for the room. The open flow makes entertaining so much easier. Like you can just keep an eye on the kids while cooking and watch TV too.
One tip if you’re going this route: make sure to keep the flooring consistent between the spaces. It helps everything feel cohesive and intentional rather than like an obvious add-on.
Include Flexible, Comfortable Seating
Seating becomes a big deal when the space is a family room. You can get a giant sectional, an L-shaped sectional that fits nicely against two walls, built-in window benches, and deep, plush sofas, too.
For extra seating when you have a crowd, use those awesome oversized floor cushions as they tuck under the console table when not in use. These types of seating do help you in a vaulted family room. As it’s a big space where you would be having guests and parties going on, making sure that the seating is comfortable and flexible at the same time, it does your work.
Incorporate a Floor-to-Ceiling Fireplace
A vaulted ceiling makes the perfect backdrop for a statement fireplace. We went with a simple linear gas model surrounded by floor-to-ceiling tile in a subtle herringbone pattern.
The mantel is a chunky piece of walnut that matches the kitchen island. Above it, the tile continues up, which emphasises the height of the room.
One thing I wish we’d done differently? Added an outlet inside the mantel for holiday lights. We used command hooks for stockings, but running the cord for garland lights is always a pain.
Add an Accent Wall to the Room
With such a big, open space, we needed something to create a focal point. We decided on an accent wall behind the TV.
After much debate (and several sample pots of paint), we went with a warm charcoal colour that contrasts with the otherwise light walls. It helps the TV blend in when it’s not in use and adds depth to the room.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you love. Repainting a vaulted wall in a room is not a fun weekend project!
Use Area Rugs to Define Zones
In such a large space, area rugs are super helpful for creating distinct areas without adding walls.
A 9×12 big rug under the main seating area, and a smaller round one in the reading nook. As they help absorb sound, too, which is important since the vaulted ceiling can make things echo.
I learned the hard way to buy washable rugs for family spaces. When choosing rug size, go bigger than you think you need. All furniture legs should fit comfortably on the rug for the main seating area.
Install Wall-Mounted TV Unit
We mounted the TV on the accent wall and built a floating media cabinet beneath it. This saved so much floor space compared to a traditional TV stand.
All the components hide inside the cabinet, with little holes drilled in the back for cords. We even added a power strip inside so everything plugs in neatly.
The wall mounting was a two-person job, and we had to buy special anchors due to the weight. If you’re not confident in your DIY skills, this is worth hiring out!
For families with young kids, a mounted TV is also safer than one sitting on furniture that could tip.
Add Picture Windows for more Character
Along the wall of regular windows, splurge on one large picture window with no mullions or dividers. It frames the view like a living piece of art.
Since it doesn’t open, get the highest quality glass you can afford with excellent insulation values. It’s practically invisible when clean, which admittedly isn’t often with little fingers around!
The window installer thought we were crazy for putting it so low (the bottom is just 18 inches from the floor), but it’s perfect for watching wildlife while sitting on the sofa. We’ve spotted deer, foxes, and countless birds right from our family room.
Integrate Smart Home Technology
When building a new addition, it’s the perfect time to add smart home features.
For the clients, we installed smart switches for all the lights, which connect to both their phones and voice assistants. Being able to dim the lights without getting up from the couch feels ridiculously luxurious.
The ceiling fan is also smart-enabled, which is super useful for adjusting the speed without hunting for the remote.
The most used smart feature, though? Definitely the programmable thermostat. The vaulted ceiling creates different temperature zones, so being able to adjust for comfort throughout the day and night has been fantastic.
Incorporate Indoor Plants
Plants love all the natural light in the vaulted family room. You can get a tall fiddle leaf fig in one corner, a low-maintenance Rubber Plant, or Kentia Palm and Areca Palm which are great for filling the vertical space.
For the high shelves, I would choose trailing pothos and philodendron that drape down dramatically. They add life to the upper portions of the room that would otherwise feel empty.
If you’re worried about keeping plants alive, start with easy ones like ZZ plants and snake plants. They’re pretty forgiving and still look great.
Use Accent Textiles
Textiles really help a big space feel cosy and pulled together. In a family room, you can layer lots of different textures to add warmth.
Like linen sheer curtains that puddle slightly on the floor, which softens all the hard surfaces. The main sofa with performance fabric (an absolute must with kids and dogs), so you can dress it up with varied throw pillows that you can swap out seasonally.
Don’t forget about acoustics in a vaulted space! All these soft materials help absorb sound and prevent the echo effect that can happen with high ceilings.
Install Wide Plank Flooring
For one of the clients, we went with 7-inch white oak planks in a matte finish. The wider boards work beautifully in a large space, and the light colour reflects all that wonderful natural light.
There was a discussion between engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl planks. We ultimately chose engineered hardwood for the look, but I have friends with LVP who love the waterproof aspect with kids and pets.
Whatever you choose, I’d recommend a matte or satin finish rather than glossy. It shows dust and footprints much less and feels more current.
Opt for a Cohesive Colour Palette
To make the addition feel connected to the rest of the house, keep the colour palette simple and consistent.
Colours like warm white (Simply White by Benjamin Moore) provide a clean backdrop for furniture and art. The accent wall is in Kendall Charcoal, also by Benjamin Moore.
For furniture, you can try neutrals in varied textures, then add colour through accessories that can easily change. So that you can swap those out when you get bored.
A cohesive palette is especially important in an open concept space, where you can see multiple rooms at once. It helps everything flow together harmoniously.
Conclusion
The vaulted family room addition ideas can completely transform the way you live and feel in your house. The light, airy space has become the heart of the house, where you gather to relax, play, and connect as a family.
If you’re considering a similar project, I hope these ideas help you create a space that works perfectly for your needs. The planning process can feel overwhelming, but seeing it all come together is absolutely worth it. A vaulted family room can be a big change if you’re a big fan of parties and having guests over.
What matters most is the space that makes the house feel like home, and represents your personality throughout the room. Hope you would love the blog and create a vaulted family room that truly reflects you.
