The most pleasant holiday memories I have are Christmas morning, crowded (and I mean crowded) in the living room with my 2 daughters, son, their spouses and 7 grandchildren plus my very special husband - opening packages that held my prized purchases, amidst miles of wrapping paper, bows and boxes. Gifts were on the steps, on the end tables, under the tree - everyplace imaginable. Of course, there was also the tree taking up the last iota of space. I missed some of the oohs and aahs - unable to see all that went on. Oh, if we only had more space!!!
We decided the bedroom on the first floor had to go, enabling us to make one big family room out of 2 smaller spaces. Wow, what a difference! We all fit. We all can sit (well, many of us). Last Christmas was a delight in our new space. Everyone could see the excitement on the kid's faces as they opened the glorious red and green wrappings. We took turns (youngest 1st of course) and slowed the pace down. We spent considerable time picking out the perfect gifts for each family. No longer would we miss those excited looks as in previous years. This was working out just right. When mama's happy, everyone's happy!!
So how did we accomplish this amazing transformation? We removed one interior wall between the two rooms. We added recessed lighting in the ceiling, wall sconces to add beauty and ambiance. We figured out where our large television would go (in between 2 small awning windows that were higher on the wall). Then we ordered base cabinetry and bookshelves above to fill the entire wall; around the windows and tv. We reskimmed the ceiling to tie in the plaster where the wall was removed. We added new crown moldings, wide baseboards and painted. We removed the carpeting and refinished the existing hardwood floors (piecing in new planks where the wall was removed).
Family room spaces can frequently be extended by converting a seldom used dining room. Removing the wall adjoining your kitchen can create a spacious open and inviting family room/kitchen combo. We spend more awake time in those two rooms - its nice to be able to watch the family as dinner is being prepared.
Basement areas offer lots of wide open spaces too. The cost of remodeling these areas is typically much higher. Rough mechanicals (plumbing, heating, electrical) are more difficult to install and hide. The concrete floor needs covered, block walls need covered. You need to create a new ceiling. Sometimes the space is very big and partitions need created - to maintain storage, hide the furnace and just make the room more cozy and friendly. Now is the time to add at least a powder room if it is to become a well used family space. Consider a small refrigerator/sink and faucet corner to hold soda pop, etc. for extra convenience.
We have little concern that in our older years we might need that downstairs bedroom. It still has the nice big closet that once held our clothes; we still have a full bathroom within the room. At any time we can put a bed in there by replacing the couch and loveseat. We would still have a sitting area. Adding a door could create privacy - all easily transforming that space once again into a 1st floor bedroom should the need arise.
There are ways to gain much needed family room space. In addition, it generally is a good selling feature (if you do it right) for marketing your home later. But what is most rewarding is the immediate comfort of having more space for your loved ones. I know from experience the benefits and look forward to the upcoming holidays. Hope yours are enjoyable too.
Sue Clark, Clark Construction
Washington Source Magazine
Dec 2007