Finding the space
A basement can be the perfect place to create a workshop, craft area or movie room equipped with recliners and a big-screen television. By redecorating in warm colors or installing customized wall paneling, you can transform an unfinished space into a relaxing library or a hideaway for the music lover in your family.
Dividing and conquering
If you don’t have a spare room, today’s modern furnishings and cabinetry options allow you to create individual spaces within your living or family room. Customized consoles, entertainment centers or workstations -- finished in colors and materials to match any décor -- tuck electronics out of sight when not in use, opening up the room for other activities. These stylish units often also include sliding doors to hide clutter in a hurry if visitors stop by.
Remember, flat-screen televisions and skinny computer monitors save space and can be concealed within well-appointed cabinets, bookcases or sliding wall panels. Elegant coffee tables and ottomans often include storage cubbies to stow books or personal items.
You can divide your living room by placing an easy chair or small sofa in a nook or corner, perhaps ensconced behind a sheer curtain or an architectural column. Or install wall-lined bench seating with cushions and storage bins below.
A spare bedroom can also be subdivided with folding screens to make space for more than one family member. This allows the space to easily be restored to adapt to evolving family needs or to suit future prospective home buyers.
Creating kid zones
To provide personal space for siblings sharing a bedroom, use modular desks or add a kid-size loft where a child can have some privacy. Whimsical armoires, fabric canopies, bunk beds or raised beds with storage lockers can also be customized to young tastes.
The trick in creating a personal space for a child is to offer a degree of privacy without completely removing them from the common environment of the house. A few well-placed decorative screens can give a youngster necessary space without cutting them off from the rest of the household.
Outfitting a grown-up escape
To create a relaxing “kid-free zone” for adults, outfit your master bedroom with a daybed sofa or chaise lounge and all the technological trappings you crave. Or turn your en suite bathroom into a private oasis with a soaker tub or whirlpool bath, soft lighting, upscale counters, mirrors and fixtures to simulate the spa experience.
These easy renovations can provide personal space for every member of your family while adding both visual appeal and resale value to your home.
Published on February 22, 2007
