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.
We use it every day but hardly pay any attention to it, yet it can impact the overall design of the home. We are, of course, referring to your flooring, and its importance should not be overlooked or underestimated. It is the largest design element in the home, which means it tends to serve as the foundation of the look and feel in the room. It has the ability to make or break your space and is subconsciously the first thing we notice in a room. Since it is used consistently, it must be durable and functional for the particular area, whether slip-resistant or waterproof. Flooring should also complement the overall design style you choose and be carefully considered before finalizing your choice. Here are some aspects to remember when making your selection.
The kitchen backsplash tends to be overlooked during the planning session for a renovation, but it has a big impact on the overall look of the design, and it should not be underestimated. To many, it may seem like such a small element, but it has the power to bring style, class, and protection to the heart of the home. When walking through a model home or flipping pages in an interior design magazine, the kitchen always has a backsplash that often draws our eye. Coming in multiple sizes, styles, and shades, the kitchen backsplash has come a long way from being a simple surface to creating a glamorous highlight that immediately draws the eye.
Walker WoodworkingThis deficiency has led to a readjustment of space, a call to renovate the home, and to provide a more functional design for everyone. There are also other reasons motivating homeowners to reevaluate their current living situation, such as greater flexibility at home, an open concept, personal space, and plenty of storage. While kitchens and bathrooms are still among the most renovated areas in the home, new emphasis is being placed on four additional sections in the home, which we want to highlight today.
Walker WoodworkingYou love your home, but there are some areas that are no longer working for you, if they ever did at all. You have made the big decision to renovate your kitchen, to give yourself the space you have always envisioned, but it feels overwhelming. How do you know which layout will work best for you? Which style best represents you, and what wood type will pair perfectly with certain colors? The kitchen can be a more difficult renovation because it involves multiple facets, such as plumbing and electrical. Adding in the appliances, lighting, and cabinets decisions can be enough to make your head spin. Planning is a critical part of a kitchen renovation, making it a key area of focus, which is why an experienced designer can help you accomplish your dreams on time and on budget.
James Martin Vanities has not disappointed us but provided many of our clients with a bathroom vanity that suited their unique needs, and the shorter lead times have allowed them to get the upgrades they needed within their timeframe. Our goal will always remain to provide our clients with the best possible products that fit their project, whether that is a custom, semi-custom, or predone option like the James Martin Vanity. We are here to assist you in finding the vanity that works for you, which is why we offer a variety of options. Are you ready for a change? Come visit our showroom where we have multiple vanities available for you to browse, and if you like one, you can take it home with you.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking