As you enter the empty nest stage in your life, it’s common to think about what your home will be like without your children. While this is a bittersweet time, a good way to transition is to start fresh and finally build the custom home you’ve always dreamed of.
Now is the time to put your desires and priorities first after years of doing what was best for your kids. In order to approach your design planning strategically to get the biggest bang for your buck, we have compiled seven tips to get you started on the right foot.
Create Space for Guests
Although you’re newly-minted empty nesters, your kids will still want to return home to visit. Eventually, they might have kids of their own, so don’t forget to provide an ample amount of space for your loved ones to stay comfortably… this will encourage more visits.
This space doesn’t have to be solely dedicated to housing guests. You can get creative with combining this space with another space. For example, if a home office is a huge priority for you, then you can add a daybed or pull out couch that can serve as a seating space by day and a bed by night. Including a bathroom, complete with a shower off of this room or across the hall provides your guests with everything they’ll need.
Bring the Outdoors In
If you love the outdoors, but don’t appreciate the wind rustling your morning paper, or pesky bugs buzzing in your ears, then a sunroom or a four season room would be a fantastic addition to your home. Spaces like these serve as ideal spots to enjoy the sounds and smells of the outdoors, while still being under your own roof. Floor to ceiling windows create a bright and inviting room for reading, relaxing, or gathering with friends and family.
Give Yourself a True Master Suite
After years of hard work, you deserve a space that you can retreat to and experience the utmost comfort. Why not give yourself a true master suite, complete with a walk-in closet, master bathroom, and even enough room for a sitting area?
A floor plan with an alcove near a window creates a perfect place to curl up and read either during the day, or even in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep, but don’t want to disrupt your spouse.
A master bathroom with two separate sinks allow you and your spouse to get ready (or unready) without bumping elbows. Plan for ultimate relaxation by mapping out enough space for a soaking tub too.
Workout at Home
If you’re designing your dream home, why leave it to head to the gym? Bring the gym to your house by including a dedicated space to workout. Some important things to consider include flooring options, proper ventilation, and the size of the room. If your workout room will include weight sets and heavy machinery, you’ll want to consider flooring that is durable and can handle the wear and tear of your equipment. Additionally, having the option to open windows for proper ventilation is key to feeling comfortable in your home gym.
Lastly, plan out the amount of equipment you foresee yourself having so your gym can comfortably hold everything while still allowing for enough room to move around.
Functional Space for Hobbies
No matter what hobbies you and your spouse are into, having a functional space that supports your creativity is great. A dedicated space also allows those hobbies to be contained to one room instead of cluttering up other areas of your home.
Speaking of clutter, adding custom, built-in storage to a hobby room makes it easier to store all your supplies, so you can focus on what you came in there to do instead of being bogged down by unnecessary messes.
Be the Hostess with the Mostest
Use this time in your life to plan and host parties with your friends. Adding a wet bar to your home is a great way to amp up your social life. The options for customizing a wet bar for your home are extensive. In terms of location, wet bars can be an extension of your kitchen or dining room, or even be placed in your basement. Components of the wet bar that are key to serving with ease are as follows:
- Small Sink: This doesn’t have to be anything large. Just enough to help prepare drinks and wash out glasses.
- Miniature Refrigerator: This is ideal for bottles and drink mixes that are best chilled. Having everything right there when you need it at the perfect temperature makes your job that much easier.
- Storage: Built-in wine racks, cabinets with shelves, and drawers pull everything together, and keep all your supplies neatly tucked away.
Consider Mobility
If this will be your forever home, it’s important to consider how this home will serve you as you continue to move into your senior years. Will having a bi-level home with stairs become difficult to manage? Will too much space be difficult to maintain?
The good thing about bi-level floor plans, is that you can put the master suite on the first floor and let your guests climb the stairs! Alternatively, single story house plans can provide plenty of space without the hassle of climbing stairs.
Make Your Empty Nester’s Dream Home a Reality
Are you ready to officially enter this stage of your life with the home you always dreamed of? Hamilton Homes can help to make your dreams a reality. With cutting-edge designs up our sleeves, we can assist with your ideas, no matter the complexity. Give us a call at 317-570-1331 to schedule a free consultation.
