5 Unconventional Ideas for Renovating the Empty Nest

For “empty nesters,” this may be the first time to think about you. It may seem hard to believe. After all these years, the kids are finally on their own, the college tuition bills are paid and the house is quiet at last. Now, with an extra bedroom available, you can renovate or add a room to your house that you never knew you needed. Some choose to incorporate custom garages, theater rooms, or gourmet, professional level kitchens. Today’s established home owners seek a residence that offers not only comfort and utility, but also one that offers spaces for their hobbies and other unique interests and tastes. This is the mark of a truly indulgent home; one that has all of the features required by its owner. Here are some home renovation ideas for empty nesters, to make use of new-found space and potentially increase your home’s resale value.

The Extreme Fitness Studio

It might be cliché to automatically turn one of the extra rooms into a home gym, but it can be a practical move. Modern people usually don’t have time to go to gym after work and traffic hell is an obstacle for many living in a high density city like Vancouver. Start with mirrored walls, cooling Dyson™ fans and wall training systems to rival all such as Isa™. Raise the bar and install a smoothie bar, iPod docking stations, climate control, world class theatre sound and an infrared sauna. Just because you’re working up a sweat doesn’t mean you have to suffer. Stay in the game by equipping your on-screen action with Shaw’s new BlueSky™ voice prompt TV.

The Cognoscente Wine Cellar

Adding a wine cellar is one of the best ways to showcase your treasured bottles of wine. Who wouldn’t want to visit your own personal wine room after a long day at work? Especially if you like to stock up on cases of your favorite vintage when it goes on sale. Never whine about a sale! Consider installing moisture-resistant tile or hardwood flooring for easy cleanup of the inevitable spilled Merlot. Add a sink, mini washer and mini-fridge for entertaining and gourmet convenience. We love DXV™ and Franke™ for their enlivening designs. Talk to us about low temperature LED lighting designs such as floor lighting or back-lighting to give your cellar a wow-factor. If you are open to excavation and concrete pouring, building a wine cellar in the basement is ideal for the wine enthusiast who seeks nothing but the best storage system for the most modest wine selections. Double your pleasure with a gentleman’s quarterly for aficionado cigar lovers.

The Volume-ous Library

One room that is coming back into vogue in the digital age is the elaborate home library. This designated part of the home can be a practical showcase, not only for a passionate bibliophile’s meticulous collections of volumes, but also can be decorated with choice art, sculpture rugs and historical artifacts. Some illustrious designs are offered through many independent furniture makers via the Etsy Marketplace such as couches and chairs, perfect for curling up next to a fireplace or windowed reading nook for an inspirational view. Every piece of millwork in a high end home library, from moldings and millwork, to a traditional rolling library ladder offers an opportunity to ensconce the space with only the very best.

The Picture Perfect Photo Studio

If the developing of your own black-and-white film is visual alchemy for you, building a home darkroom photolab and studio is quite possible. In this age of digital domination, people are clamoring to get back to the roots of photography. A room with plumbing, ventilation and no windows such as a basement room is great for this. Considering this criteria, attics and garages are less attractive candidates. Adding a dark room photolab to your home can take your hobby to new vista’s. If you work from home as a freelance photographer, adding a dreamed of white-room studio and your very own dark lab can bring your dreamed of reality into focus.

The Rockstar’s Recording Studio

Why let pro studios bleed your bank account when you can fashion a sturdy financial tourniquet by building your own recording studio at home? You will have plenty to consider, starting with the digital equipment you'll need for recording, editing, cutting and mixing music and you'll want to check local zoning ordinances to make sure you comply with any anti-noise provisions. A professional recording studio usually has an isolation booth, control room, storage room and equipment room. You may want to research the benefits of insulated, concrete poured wall forms (ICF). Beyond that, you'll have soundproofing and acoustical concerns and should consider consulting an acoustician who’s input could be invaluable to your architect and builder. The saying, “you get what you pay for” is true for a lot of things, including when it comes to your maximum budget whether your needs are hobby level enthusiast or big league pro.Expanding your empty nest into a complete home addition? Our in-house design and build team has you covered!