We aren’t just living in our homes anymore. We are working, going to the gym, teaching a class, turning the silver screen into our tv screen, having playdates and happy hours all from one place. Never has the need for multifunctional homes been more apparent than it is right now.
Multifunction spaces aren’t new. It’s as simple as combining several activities in one area without compromising interior composition and styles. An open concept floor plan, custom built-ins, and space-saving furniture are just a few of the ways we’ve been incorporating this idea of multifunctionality into our lives. While there are many ways to make your home function on all levels, especially if you get a custom builder involved, here are some of the latest trends.
Integrated Home Offices
With many of our jobs moving to remote work, we’ve suddenly found ourselves working from living room couches or kitchen tables. Dedicating space to focus on your work will help you separate your work life from your home life. Not to mention, it helps you focus. This could be adding a built-in desk area to your living room where there was once a credenza or making the guest bedroom work a little more challenging by adding furniture like a Murphy bed. If the home office idea has two, three, or even four other uses, it’s a good use of space.
Indoor Play Areas for All Ages
Kids shouldn’t have all the fun. Adults need spaces to unwind or sweat out the day’s frustrations too. Instead of having a dedicated kids’ playroom, incorporate your home gym equipment with some of the kids’ larger toys. You can get in a spin class while they build a fort. Or maybe it’s a space where you can build one of the puzzles you bought during the pandemic, and the grandkids can build LEGOS®.
Bathtub in the Bedroom
Before you dismiss this right away, it can make your bedroom feel like a tranquil oasis if this is done correctly. But, yes. A bathtub in the bedroom. You might not have enough space to have a tub in your master bath, or maybe you don’t want to give up your walk-in-shower for a shower and tub combo. With smart design choices, there are several ways to visually distance the bed from the tub and make the space look logical and well laid out.
Untapped Outdoor Space
If there’s one thing we learned from this last year is that our homes are a lot smaller than we thought. This is why making your outdoors an extension of the indoors will add livable space without adding square footage. Adding a covered, screened-in patio gives you an additional hangout space, an outdoor oven, grill, or firepit brings the kitchen outside, and even adding some pavers with lounging seating and some plants can give you a whole new perspective on things.
Multifunctional homes seem like they are here to stay. Even if you don’t want to undertake a significant renovation, you can do simple things like rearranging furniture to make your home work harder. And when the time comes to custom build the multifunctional home of your dreams, we’re here to help you make it come true!
