When you have kids the amount of extra space in the home starts to get smaller and smaller. As their toys, furniture, art supplies, games and other items start to load up the area in your home the less area and time you have for your past hobbies, work areas, guest rooms etc. Although there is nothing like having children to fill the quiet void in a home, there is something to be said when the kids grow up and grow out of your home to start a life of their own. This change can certainly be bittersweet, but is does give the "empty nesters" a chance to get creative in the new found space of their homes.
These room options can vary from relaxation rooms to man caves to home offices, but what you decide to do with this room is entirely up to you. Here are some home improvement tips and tricks to give your new found space a much needed face-lift and inspire your inner home designer.
Staying Put Versus Downsizing
Often when the kids move out the parents are looking ahead at retirement and planning for when they are no longer among the working community and bring in an income. For some families, moving to a smaller home to reduce mortgage payments and improve home efficiency makes the most sense. Although this can be an imperative move for some in order to get their finances where they need to be, it doesn't always have to happen this way.
Whether you decide to move into a different home or stay and remodel your already existing home will determine the kind of changes you decide to make. If you are planning to increase the resale value of your home within five to ten years in order to move to a different location, you will want to narrow your remodeling efforts and budget to redo the kitchen and bathrooms. These rooms are the largest return-on-investment and will make the biggest impressions on the home buyers.
Although you will more then likely want to update the kitchen and bathrooms if you decide to keep your current location as your forever home, which room you end up deciding to remodel first is all a matter of preference.
Don't Destroy Your Bedrooms
As soon as the last bird in the nest takes flight you might be amped up and raring to remodel those bedrooms into your dream man cave or art studio, but don't forget that these spaces on occasion may board your children, their friends, or your children's children. This might not be in the foreseen future, but it could happen sooner then thought. Make sure you have an area for your guests when they come back to stay. Whether you would like to add a sofa bed to the corner of the office or would like to make this space an actual guest room, make sure you consider a comfortable area for those visiting.
An idea of a master suite might seem unnecessary, but you might find this type of room as being very versatile rather then a dust collector. A room like this can have a number of uses including a family room or a hotel room at a great price for your guests. With these options your kids and grand kids will have a quiet area to themselves and it will allow you the ability to keep your privacy.
Although this master suit might seem as only a dream, it can be easily attainable. A basement or attic area might seem like the perfect place to add such an area, but it isn't always a valid option for every homeowner. This is where the vacant children's room comes in handy. As long as there is a bathroom that is connected or in the very close vicinity, it can be designated specifically to the guest room making it a private place just for the guests. If there are two or more rooms adjacent to this bedroom the plan can become even more luxurious.
Just Say “No” to Hoarding
Empty nest syndrome can be a real part of adjusting to recently acquired space that hasn't been available since the years before having kids. Remodeling those empty areas can help curb these feeling and it can also do wonders for the junk collector. Many people struggle with letting go of unnecessary items within their homes and end up holding on to unused and unloved pieces just because they belonged to their children. Although this nostalgia can bring up all kinds of "feels" in the empty nest department, it can also feel freeing and refreshing to those who choose to move on from these sorts of material items.
Remodeling a room can be a great place to start the process of purging stuff left behind. Although the idea of simplicity can seem exciting for the parent, it might be a different story to the children who have many memories connected to certain pieces. Allowing kids the option of saving certain childhood belongings can a be a great way to keep what is important and pack away, sell, donate, or toss the unimportant ones.
Personal Spaces and Man Caves
Most everyone has heard of a man cave a time or two, because it has been a concept aging back to when it was formally referred to as a den more of less. A place where a man or even a women if she felt so inclined to relax and have a bit of fun. This space is usually made up of a room or multiple connecting rooms that house activities such as pool, arcade games, poker tournaments, big screen TVs and much much more.
Although a kid's bedroom can be turned into this game day lounge, a garage or large shed can be a great option as well. This can allow the owner to let loose and not worry if the area's decor is matching the rest of the home's interior. A basement is another great area to remodel into a man cave, because it is on a whole other level then the rest of the home.
Attics on the other hand tend to be a bit smaller in size and usually work better as an extra bedroom for guests. They are great efficiently because they can stay warm from the naturally rising heat without having to crank up the thermostat.
There are endless ways to transform your barren rooms in your home. With just a little bit of creativity and willpower you can transform just about any room of your house into something unimagined. No matter where your goals and interests lie, becoming an "empty nester" can be a perfect excuse to execute every household plan.
To help pursue any remodeling dream be sure to give Tanguay Homes a call. We would love to help you plan your next custom home project. Give us a ring at: (802) 334-1384.
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