Life, Styled
Home is more than just a place to prepare for the next day, to sleep at night, and to eat your meals. It is a place where memories are made. It is where you can take a break from your routine and do something fun with your family. While everyone enjoys gathering in the kitchen, it is not the most ideal area of the home to play a board game or watch a movie. Many homeowners enjoy the idea of having a separate area where the kids can play, or they can host a Super Bowl party. Carving out a place in the home dedicated to just fun is a great way to enjoy family time without worrying about making a mess. Let’s talk about some ways to build your home for entertainment.
Family Game Room
From board games to air hockey, new memories are sure to come out of the family game night, and there is no better way to have fun. The problem is often finding the right place to play that doesn’t disrupt the home’s normal routine, or where everyone can get comfortable. Whether it is a spare room transformed into a fun zone or tucked away neatly in the basement, here are some things that are a must:
- Seating: Everyone deserves a good seat, so take time to think about how many people will occupy the room and what type of seating you want. Will you need a couple of big couches or individual seats? Browse Pinterest or even Houzz to get ideas, or speak with your designer. In addition to cabinet design, we also offer room layout design for an additional fee.
- Surfaces: Do you enjoy card games or board games? These require large, flat surfaces like a table, but don’t forget about height. This ties back to seating. If you have chairs, then a large table is best, but if you are seated on couches, a low coffee table would be better. Aging adults and small children may sit more comfortably at a standard table height, whereas teenagers may like a pub-height table.
- Storage: When game time is over, it is nice to have a place to store everything until the next round. Make sure there is a storage area, like a closet or built-ins, to ensure that everything has a place of its own.
- Sufficient lighting: Strain on the eyes is no fun, so be sure to incorporate enough light. Recessed lights, lamps, and accent lighting can provide this.
Game time is meant to be a fun time for everyone, and by making sure all the essential elements are there, it will be a memorable night for everyone with room for a rematch or two.
Wine Room
Work is hard, that is something we can all agree on, and most of us would also say that we enjoy coming home to relax. A wine room is a perfect place to forget about the stress of work and just unwind with your favorite beverage. Having a designated space means you can zone out beyond the kitchen perimeter. Some other benefits include:
- Gatherings: A wine room is a special place to hang out with friends and family. Add some extra seating, and you will always be ready for a party.
- Accessible: Everything you need is in one place. Glasses, cups, and even plates for snacks are all right there for you to use.
- Clean up: Consider what size sink you need in the design, as it is the perfect place to dump ice or clean up a spill.
- Countertop: A wine room doesn’t have to be small. You can extend out with a larger countertop and enjoy sitting with friends.
This can be a great place in the home to enjoy after work or with friends on the weekend. Super Bowl parties can get a boost by adding a TV screen, and you will be the talk of the neighborhood.
Home Theater
Who wants to enjoy their favorite movie on the big screen without having to actually leave the house? Having a home theater can do just that, not to mention how much better video games can be played. Some helpful design tips and added benefits are:
- No interruptions: We have all experienced the noisy moviegoers who insist on talking during the most critical part of the film, or the person who has to constantly go to the bathroom. A home theater means the people there are invited by you.
- Pick your seats: If you want to sit up front, you can; if you want the most comfortable seat in the house, you can. Design tip: Think about how you want the seating arranged before purchasing.
- More options: Hooking up your smart TV or gaming system means a whole new level of fun. Stream your favorite movies and shows from places like Netflix or play your favorite video games.
- Think through your space: One important task is to make sure you have the lighting you need, the furniture to store all your stuff, and the right layout.
This is meant to be a place that is fun for everyone, so don’t forget to ask for opinions and carefully consider everything you want to have included in this space.
Play Area
Inviting family and friends is always a good idea, but a better one is having a place where the kids can play without getting in the way of their parents. A play area is a perfect solution because it provides kids with a safe place to interact and have fun. It is also great for them to use on a daily basis, where their imagination can soar. Consider these things when designing a playroom.
- Safe storage: This is a big one because we love our children and want them to be safe, so securing any furniture to the wall is critical. Also, have built-ins and shelves that are on their level so they can have easy access to their items.
- Furnishings: A table with chairs is perfect for them because it allows them to play games or color in a designated area.
- Color: Pops of color can brighten the room and create a fun atmosphere for the kids.
- Reading nook: For the child who loves to read, maybe add a little reading corner with a chair just their size and a shelf full of their favorite books.
Children feel special when they have a place just for them, so if you’re unsure what they would like, consider adding a playroom.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the best features of any bedroom is the closet. This is the place where not just your clothes go, but a myriad of other objects as well. As it is considered one of the more functional areas in the room, this means it has certain obligations to meet, including sufficient space and storage capacity. Few things frustrate a homeowner as much as a dysfunctional closet that is a hazard every time the door is opened. Having one that is designed according to your needs, with ways to keep everything organized and in its proper place, is a dream come true. Of course, while closets need to be functional, they can also be stylish and ever personalized to your particular needs. Let’s talk about what goes into designing the perfect walk-in closet.
Finishing a basement or renovating it completely can also increase the value of your home. There is also the possibility of gaining additional income by renting out the basement. A basement is a blank canvas waiting to be transformed into a useful and functional space for you and your family.
Greenbrook DesignHome is our place of refuge, the place where we can recharge and refresh ourselves before heading out for another day at the office, whether that is driving to town or walking down the hall to our desk. Our home is also our safe zone, especially when it comes to our health. We implement things that help us maintain and protect ourselves against illness, such as easy-to-clean surfaces and materials that hinder the growth of bacteria. Multiple companies are dedicated to the health of their customers, which is why they continually develop products that not only limit the spread of disease but also promote overall wellness, whether physical or emotional. Both work together to help maintain our good health. Let’s discuss some great home products that can be utilized in your home to increase wellness for yourself and those you love.
Walker WoodworkingCoffee is a staple ingredient for the majority of people’s mornings. We love the freshly brewed scent as we begin our day and rely on the boost it gives us to get the last of the sand out of our eyes, plus a little bounce in our step. Since it has become such an integral part of the start of the day, it makes sense to create a dedicated area in the home for our beloved beverage. From a sideboard near the kitchen with all the essentials necessary to make the perfect cup or an entire section set aside for its use, there are multiple reasons why you should have a coffee station in your home. Let’s talk about how to design the perfect coffee bar area in your home, as well as some helpful tips for creating it.
Seating is a crucial element in the kitchen, as it serves as the primary hub for nearly all activities that occur in the home. Having a place to sit and talk while dinner is being made or to enjoy that morning cup of coffee makes the kitchen that much more inviting, as well as creating an environment just right for connecting with others. Ensuring there is ample room for everyone can be a challenge for both large and small kitchens, as you cannot simply add a chair or barstool wherever you want. Kitchen islands are a great place for incorporating extra seating options, but built-in seating, often referred to as banquettes, is a wonderful way to gain seats with style. Let’s discuss the benefits of incorporating built-in kitchen seating and explore ideas on how to integrate it into your design.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking