The new home you’ve chosen has a fabulous floor plan and plenty of space, including an extra room or two. Turning one of your extra rooms into a specialty room is one of the awesome things about a custom home. Finally, you will have a place specially designed for your Pilates studio, billiards room, meditation space or home theatre. More than merely a spot for hobbies, these rooms are about dedicated spaces solely to enhance your life.

Before you decide what to do with your new home’s specialty room, there are some things to consider:

What do you love to do?

This first question, of course, is essential. You’ll likely have more than one answer, so then you must ask if it makes sense to have an entire space devoted to this passion. If you’re an avid tennis player, equestrian or golfer, maybe not. Instead, consider incorporating an element of your hobby into the décor, or work with your builder to create a closet specifically designed to store your gear. Then support your outdoor activity with a home gym instead, like the one above at The Tides.

Location, location, location

Where on the floor plan is your specialty room situated? If you dream of a pet suite for your furry friend, as in the below Avignon model, then a second-floor space beside the master bedroom may not be ideal. Your four-legged family member requires outdoor access, a lovely stone floor, and his or her own spa! Similarly, a wine cellar, such as the one pictured below at The Tides, belongs in a downstairs space.

Create solutions

Is there a living space quandary that can be solved by a dedicated room? Perhaps your kids’ toys can be kept out of the living room by turning the adjacent specialty room into a playroom. Maybe your side project is rapidly turning into a small business and, while at first it fit into a bag, it’s now taking over the dining room table. In that case, the space off your great room would be ideal for a home office, such as the one below at The Estates at Del Sur. It would enable you to be present with your family while simultaneously nurturing your budding empire.

What options does your builder provide?

Discuss what kinds of specialty room layouts your new homebuilder can incorporate. Home theatres, like that at The Tides, and game rooms, such as the one at Avignon pictured below, are popular spaces, and your builder may already offer an option for them. However, your enthusiasm for film photography and desire for a dark room may be one that requires a custom build out. In those cases, one thing to consider is how a custom build out will affect your budget and the timeline to complete your new home. Though, when building a dream home tailored to your lifestyle, we say to go with what you love!

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