Life, Styled
You have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
A Place For Guests
When the kids move out, you’ll have more space for friends who want to visit. Creating a little area for them to enjoy while they are there, such as a bathroom of their own and a small seating area, is perfect for helping them feel at home.
A Place For Hobbies
Now that the kids are gone, you may have discovered some extra time, time that can be used to pursue your interests. The extra space can be the perfect place to have a dedicated space just for that. Here are some ideas:
- An art studio
- Craft room
- Wine tasting room
- Writers corner
- Photography studio
- Sewing room
The possibilities are endless, and they will allow you to get those creative juices flowing. Who knows, you might even make a little extra doing it.
A Place For You
Even though the whole house could be considered your space, there is something special about creating a unique retreat in your home just for you. Some fun and even practical things you can think about adding would be:
- A larger bathroom: Ever wanted a shower and soaker tub? Now’s the time!
- Walk-in closets for both: That would be a big plus.
- A sitting area for those peaceful Saturday mornings or quiet evenings.
- Expand the square footage of the entire room and maybe make room for some new furniture.
Your master bedroom is your space, meant to be a place you can unwind after the day or simply relax before going to sleep.
A Place For The Parents
As the children leave, there may be a need to move your parents into your home. Giving them a space of their own gives them a feeling of independence, but close enough to have help when they need it, enabling everyone to have peace of mind. Some things to think about including in the design:
- A small kitchenette where they can prepare their breakfast, beverages, and snacks.
- Keep it on the ground level to avoid any potential falls
- Wider doorways to accommodate a walker or wheelchair
- Make the bathroom easy to use, such as a walk-in shower or tub.
Many homes have begun adding or including space for the in-laws, making it a great selling point.
Renovation For The Future
As you begin to make plans to renovate your space, consider your future needs. By doing this, you will lessen the need for further renovation down the road and save time and money. Here are a few things you might want to think about when planning your renovation.
- Slip-resistant flooring and minimal transitions
- Wider doorways for potential future needs
- Minimize the stairs
- Exchange doorknobs for handles.
- Reevaluate the kitchen, consider lowering some of the countertops, and adding extra drawers that are easier to access.
Talk to your designer to ask for their input on the matter. They may have some helpful tips based on their past projects.
Home Value Increased
Many of these renovations can add tremendous value to your home and make it easier to sell if you choose to move out at some point or wish to downsize. Families often look for unique and functional features to assist them with their daily routines. The more you can help them see themselves in your space, the easier the sale will be, and you may even begin a bidding war.
Walker WoodworkingYou moved into a house that allows you to have an extra bedroom, or maybe the kids have finally left, and you have a spare room, but now what? We would all agree that it is nice to have a spare bedroom, but should it be a guest bedroom, craft room, home gym, or something else entirely? Extra space is a good thing, but if it goes to waste, it has no value. Take the time to evaluate what you need and what could benefit you the most. A good plan yields excellent results and a space that will benefit you now and add value to your home later. Let’s explore some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
The master bathroom is considered a special retreat for the owners, a place of relaxation. Over the years, the design has changed from a garden tub and shower combo to walk-in showers and soaker tubs. Some wonder if both are needed or if one is more essential than the other. We want to explore the pros and cons of each and help you know which one is the best fit for you, or if you should have both.
Greenbrook Design Liver mush. Cleveland County is famous for its liver mush and the festival that has celebrated it for the past 30 years. Due to COVID-19, however, our community had to do some quick thinking to enjoy our yearly tradition still safely. This is how the first-ever virtual liver mush festival was born, and we at Greenbrook Design are honored to be one of the sponsors. Individuals were invited to share a video of themselves preparing their favorite way to enjoy liver mush for a chance to win cash and prizes valued at over $1,000.
The bare essentials. That is how some would describe a minimalist design style, one void of color and personality. A house designed with this style will only have the necessities needed to function, but that is not the case. While it is true that the minimalist style lacks the extra fluff and sparkle of other styles, it is still a beautiful choice for those who are looking to create a space with simplicity. Let’s unpack this style to see if it suits your home.
When you think of creating a unique space or finding extra storage, does your mind go to your stairs? Probably not, but there is so much that can be done with this unique space. Let’s explore what you can do with your staircase to get that little something extra you have been looking for.
Walker Woodworking