Room for recreation
Building your perfect rec space starts with a good plan
by DAN JONES
When you envision a space in your home made for the enjoyment of you and your loved ones, what does it look like?
It’s a question that Bryan Sebring, president and founder of Sebring Design Build, asks potential clients. His Chicago-based company offers a range of home remodelling and design services, including recreation rooms.
A rec room is a space used for games and other forms of entertainment. The quintessential rec room should be a blend of fun and function, Sebring says. But it goes deeper than that, he adds.
“The No. 1 thing I am looking for in a rec room is that it solves a problem, usually by age,” says Sebring, who is a Costco member. “From children, to middle school, to high school, to adult spaces—how can this room help?”
Plan it out
When it comes to setting up a rec room, use the space you have. That could be a basement, garage, attic, spare bedroom or loft.
Patricia Gray, an interior designer in Vancouver, says gathering feedback is key when it comes to execution. “Take a poll of your family’s interests before you start your planning,” the Costco member says. “Consider all members of the family. Make lists and have everyone contribute.”
Finding the right theme
Your rec room may have one specific theme or purpose, or it could serve multiple roles.
A space with a flat-screen television and a round table for card games or trivia creates possibilities for either a theatre or a gaming night. The room might include a surround sound system, a snacking area with a microwave, board games and puzzles. Blackout coverings for windows will ensure an ideal movie setting, Gray says.
Furnishing a space with a built-in bar with stools and a dartboard might make for the ultimate adult hangout. Additions like a golf putting mat or foosball or billiard table could take it to another level.
A room for children or teenagers might feature beanbag chairs, a video gaming station and a mini fridge for goodies. For families with younger kids, a contained play spot for toys means parents and siblings won’t have to dodge potential tripping objects scattered about the house. Dual television screens could help create an option for tech-minded teenagers who want to game on their own while other family members watch a movie.