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.
There are many elements that contribute to creating a welcoming home, including color, patterns, decorative pieces, and furniture. All of this comes together to paint an inviting space where guests leave feeling like family. Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start or what pieces work best together to create the perfect look. Let’s talk about five ways to create a welcoming atmosphere in your home.
Walker Woodworking Does your home need some renovations to bring it back up to speed for your specific lifestyle? Are you ready to transform certain areas into a more functional and purposeful space? Our experienced design team has assisted hundreds of clients in creating new areas that function exactly as they need. How can we help you prioritize your needs through design? Let us help you find the areas of priority in your home!
Greenbrook DesignAt the heart of any design work is the chance to tell a story—the story of those who live there. Our home is at the core of who we are. It is our grounding, the place we can truly let our hair down and be ourselves. It’s where memories are not just made, but remembered and passed down to the next generation. Homes are meant to be special—a symbol to all who enter of what truly matters to us. That’s why the design choices we make should be influenced by who we are, where we came from, and how our unique experiences shape us. Across the world, people’s design choices are deeply rooted in culture. But in today’s ever-connected world, we’re also seeing a beautiful blending of cultures—where traditional elements mix with modern influences, and regional styles merge to reflect global inspirations.
Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to brighten up our homes at any time of day. It has been great to eliminate shadows in areas where there are limited windows or even none at all, and allowed us to achieve more in a 24-hour period. Light fixtures have also developed from being just a practical tool into works of art, giving homeowners the chance to express themselves and add a touch of elegance to any room. Changing out a light fixture can completely alter or transform a room, and with so many sizes and styles, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. As we approach the close of another year, new home lighting trends for 2022 could provide helpful information for selecting your next light fixture that will perfectly illuminate your home.
Greenbrook DesignEvery area of the home has a purpose, a specific role to play in running a house smoothly, whether that is the living room where we relax or the bathroom where we get ready for the day. The kitchen is a place of preparation, the space where we go to cook for our family, but it is the dining room where it is served and enjoyed. This is the space within the home that gives families a designated area to gather around and dine together, as well as for activities like homework, bills, and fun things like family game night. It is a multifunctional space, which means it deserves some extra attention when selecting decor pieces. Let’s talk about the many elements you can use to give the dining room the love and beauty it deserves.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking