FLEXIBLE
LIVING SPACES
Combine Rooms for In-Laws/Guest Suite
With the aging of America and boom-a-rang children,
a house plan that can combine bedroom and a private
bath makes a great suite. If the situation changes,
the rooms can be used for other needs. Even more
accommodating, some homeowners are utilizing
a pair of adjacent secondary bedrooms as an in-law
suite. Such arrangements offer considerable privacy,
with the in-law suite offering both a sleeping
area and its own living space as well.
4-Seasons Room
Bringing the outside in and views to the outside
are important to many people. Many of us work
in an office all day, so we like to incorporate
outside living into our lives at home. Whether
the area is screened in, enclosed with windows
or just an open patio, it is an important element
to daily living.
When asked “what is your favorite place
in your home?” a surprising number of people
answer their porch or deck. If you can identify
with this group, consider adding (operable) windows
all around your outdoor living space along with
supplemental baseboard heating, enabling you
to enjoy this space anytime!
Kid’s Playroom
Whether it is your own family, company with
children, or neighborhood kids, it is always
important that you find a place for a playroom.
It helps with everyone’s sanity to keep
the noise and toys away from adults.
Ironically, a kids playroom just might be one
of your most prized luxuries in your new home.
By having most of their toys, games, puzzles,
etc. in this one room, keeping the rest of the
house presentable an achievable reality!
Home Schooling Room
Increasingly popular, home schooling parents
have a particular challenge with today’s
more open home designs–the need for privacy
so their kids can concentrate on their studies
or tests. When planning this space, consider
storage, workspaces, lighting (especially natural
light) and computer hook-ups.
Ideally, a room in the home can be dedicated
to schooling. More often, it will double as a
school room and serve another purpose at other
times, so make sure the space is flexible. Pay
particular attention to floor coverings if school
or other activities are likely to include messy
projects, crafts, etc.
Craft/Gardening Areas
When it comes to unwinding from our hurried
lives or pursuing something we really enjoy,
many people like to relax with a special hobby
or craft. How many times do you have a project
spread out on the kitchen or dining room table?
An area out of public view would take the stress
out of constant picking up. Therefore, having
room in the home to pursue these and other hobbies
in and of itself can contribute to distressing,
especially if ‘works-in-progress’ can
be left undisturbed.
The primary considerations for such spaces
are related to the type of activity. Gardening,
for example, is ideally suited for an area with
a sink in it and being close to an outside door.
Sewing and needlework projects are enhanced by
high light levels. Woodworking fits well with
concrete floors for easy clean-up plus plenty
of electrical outlets for various power tools.
Whatever your favorite pursuit, what things
could you do with your home which would enhance
the experience? How about special task lighting?
This is sometimes a hard area to identify, simply
because we learn to cope with the shortcomings
inherent to our present situation. The answers
lie in things which frustrate you when engaged
in these activities.
Bedroom/Bath Arrangements for Blended Families
Blending families can be a difficult task but
picking a home plan that has been designed to
address bedroom/bath needs makes the task so
much easier.
Especially when combining boys and girls from
two families into one new family, thought needs
to be given regarding bedroom and bathroom accommodations.
Everyone needs a sense of privacy and a sense
of space which they can call their own. And when
it comes to sharing a bathroom, dual lavatories
are a big plus, as is a toilet/shower area separate
from the lavs.
Home Offices (His and Her)
Kevin and Tina both work at home. Sharing an
office is not working so they found a plan that
gives them his and her offices. They can work
in their own spaces but more than that; it makes
for a pleasant marriage.
People who succeed in working from home attest
to the importance of having a dedicated home
office space where they can focus on their work.
Today’s economy coupled with downsizing
and early retirement is giving birth to numerous
cottage industries. The type of work you do out
of your home will dictate your space needs. Pay
careful attention to storage and any special
wiring, as well as privacy.
Formal Dining
Candlelight, soft music, ample room for guests
and great conversation make dinner parties a
delight. The formal dining room also makes an
excellent backdrop for a great dining room suite.
Since entertaining inevitably involves food.
Look at how you home enhances the dining experience.
Be mindful of seating, which always becomes an
issue. Homes designed with an open floorplan,
especially ones in which the dining room flows
uninterrupted into a great room, offer numerous
entertaining options.
Room to Grow
An item no one wants to think about is outgrowing
their home. But the reality is that family situations
change and our needs and wants for space in the
home change too. The solution? Unfinished areas
of the home, especially on a second level or
over a garage or in a basement.
You may not need this space when you first
move into your home, but it will give you room
to add a bedroom, media room, playroom, etc.
Families can grow into these spaces and configure
them as the need arises, without having the initial
cost of finishing the space affecting their mortgage
qualifications or mortgage payment.
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