A two-story family room is nothing to fear. All the open space can be daunting, but with a little work, you can turn that space into an inviting, comfortable room for your family.

Start by coloring your walls. When you use color, you create a more inviting and interesting atmosphere. Add your personal furniture and décor and you have the perfect expression of your style.

Next, budget for window treatments--you will not regret it. Window treatments do not just complete the look of your room; they act as a buffer to all the noise that comes along with your open floor plan. The treatment should encompass the full two stories and will really give balance to the room.

Choose your furniture to match the scale of the room. Small, spindly chairs will look out of place in the main seating area and petite items will get lost in the space. Use the open space to your advantage and do not push the furniture up against the walls--let your seating area float. Create a grouping of seats in the room and anchor it with an area rug. A couch and two matching chairs will go a lot further in furnishing a room than an asymmetrical couch and a love seat. Sectionals can also be a good choice.

If you have young children, buy furniture that can be serviceable for toy storage. Select ottomans that open or TV consoles with plenty of space. Toy storage can be functional while still keeping with the style of the room.

Add art to the room to help draw the eye in to a focal point. Enhance a fireplace by adding art to each side, giving dimension to the high walls and making the room more visually and aesthetically accessible.

Do not be overwhelmed by the open space of a two-story family room. Use that space to create a family room that suits your style and your family and you will truly come to love the room and all that space.