When planning your home, advice from the experts is that you should always have a list of ‘must-haves’ vs ‘nice-to-haves’. There is often so much focus on the ‘must-haves’ (for very good reason), that we wanted to bring you some inspiration for dreaming about those spaces in the home that are most commonly found at the bottom of the priority list. Here are our top tips for you to consider!
Games/Rumpus Room
Everyone needs a grass covered billiard room
- Games rooms are always going to be noisy spaces, so consider insulated walls and carpet or rugs on the floor
- Have a range of lighting depending on what activity you’re using the room for
- This is your space to go bold and make some more daring choices, make sure you have fun with it so that it’s a space you want to spend lots of time
- Ensure there is enough space around each activity (eg. a billiard or table tennis table)
- Have seating for people who aren’t actively participating in the games
Cinema/Media Room
- Don’t have cords and wires visible – this requires forward planning early on, make sure you discuss your requirements with your builder upfront
- Dark colours reduce light reflection on the screen, and make the space feel more cosy
- Use soft materials that absorb sound
- Focus on ambient lighting rather than bright task lighting
Wine Cellar
- Find a location away from direct sunlight – it’s a good use of space under the stairs
- Make sure the room has a fairly consistent cool temperature (less than 15 degrees Celsius). You may need to consider extra insulation and a climate control system.
- Choose lighting that won’t emit too much heat, more ambient LED lights work best
- Consider whether your bottles should be vertical or horizontal. There are also a range of options when it comes to materials for the racks.
Sauna Room
- You need to decide on whether you want a prefab option, or if you are going to construct it from scratch? Wood-burning? Gas? Electrical?
- Red Cedar is the most commonly used material, mainly due to its durability and lovely scent, but other options include Aspen and Spruce
- Make sure your door opens outwards – it’s safer and gives you more space inside
- Keep the ceiling low – you don’t want all your heat rising
- Consider non-slip flooring
- Don’t ever put a lock on the door for safety reasons (and it’s not essential it’s air tight either)
A Climbing Wall / Room
- You have probably never considered one, but did you realise that you could install one in some clever unused spaces? Maybe you have a bit of space in your roof? Or your garage?
- What about an external wall down the side of your house?
- You will need to consider whether you will build it at an angle, or just straight up? Do you need some soft cushioning material at the base?
A Home Gym
- Only include the equipment you know you will use
- Mirrors are essential for a workout, but they also help make that space feel larger
- It should be well lit
- Choose a colour palette and artwork that will motivate you
- Bring in some greenery to lift your mood
- Use flooring that is easy to clean, and have mats to use when required
These spaces may not be high on your priorities when designing your new home, but if you are considering them, as always, proper well thought out planning is needed to ensure that the space is practical and livable.
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
1800 184 284
