Adding a study to your home can be a great investment of time and money. Not only will it increase the value of your home, but it will also create a wonderful and welcoming family gathering place that you will enjoy for many years.
There are many ways to add a den to your home. One way to add a den is to reclaim attic space. The use of attic space offers a number of exciting possibilities ranging from a cozy secluded haven to a loft overlooking the kitchen or great room. A second way to add a den is to consider the basement. Unused space in your home’s basement can also be turned into a very nice den. A third way, which offers limitless possibilities, is to build a cozy den addition to your home.
A living room will probably be relatively small (compared to a family room or great room). You’ll want it to be cozy and comfortable for your family to use to watch TV or movies, read, enjoy music, or just gather for evening conversations. Creating a feeling of warmth and comfort is generally the goal of den design.
The first questions you’ll need to answer in deciding where to add your studio and how big the room should be are:
* Will you be converting an existing room?
* Will you renovate your attic?
* Will you finish a space in your basement?
* Will your den be an addition to your current home?
* If the den will be an addition, where will it join the existing structure?
* What will be the size of the room?
The next set of questions to answer concerns access and connection to the rest of the house.
* How will you have access to your new lair? Will you be able to use an existing staircase (to the attic or basement)? Will you need to add and build a new staircase?
* How will you connect your new den addition to the existing structure? Will you need to create an entryway or hallway from the existing structure to the new living area? Will he remove a wall from his house to connect with the new den?
A very popular approach to living room additions is to remove an exterior wall from the kitchen, allowing the new room to connect to the end of the kitchen. This approach can create a very warm, comfortable and welcoming living space for your family. If you choose this option, you will need to decide whether to remove the entire section of wall or create an arched doorway or opening into the den. The use of a smaller entrance to the study will have a minimal effect on the appearance of the kitchen. Building a den addition that is completely open to the kitchen will affect the appearance of both the den and the kitchen. However, this very popular approach to the den addition will require careful planning and design.
There was a time when a den was simply a small room that might have built-in bookshelves and was probably paneled with wood (usually knotty pine). Families, builders, and contractors have gotten a lot more creative in recent years, designing spaces that are much more interesting and functional. Here are some room design ideas you might want to consider when planning your den.
1. If you are remodeling an attic space, consider creating an open stairway from the floor below and leaving the area that connects to the rest of the house open. Either a half wall or a wooden or wrought iron railing can prevent accidents and create a feeling of greater spaciousness in both rooms.
2. If you’re remodeling a basement space, consider ways you can create the same open effect in the way you provide access to your basement studio.
3. If you’re adding to your home, consider something more creative than a simple driveway to tie the den into the existing structure. You might consider placing a see-through fireplace between the kitchen and den with an open space on each side for access. You can connect your den to other rooms in the same way.
4. If you’re adding a family room that connects to your kitchen, consider using a “breakfast bar” to outline the space. Or just allow the kitchen and study to flow together.
5. You can create the feeling of warmth in a den through color choices for paint, wallpaper, and furniture. Flooring materials can also create very exciting effects. Instead of paneling, you might consider adding the warmth of wood with hardwood floors and open beams in the living room.
If your new den will be an addition to the house, you will need to think carefully about the slope of the land, the appropriate type of foundation, and the external appearance of the new addition. External materials will certainly need to match or blend with the existing home exterior. The new roof line must be in line with the existing roof line and the shingles must match. However, you can consider some options that will make your home more energy efficient, such as installing solar power panels or a skylight. A fireplace could provide alternative heating as well as create a warm feeling in the room. With so many fireplace styles available, you’re sure to be able to find and include a fireplace that will accentuate your den and other connecting rooms.
Whether you choose to remodel the existing space or add to your home, you’ll need to take care of heating and cooling in the new living area, as well as electricity. This, as well as the need to build a foundation and exterior walls, can help you decide if this is a DIY project or if you need to call in professionals for all or part of the job. Many localities require electrical and heating/air work to be performed by licensed professionals. If you are building a fireplace, proper ventilation will be critical. You may want to have a professional do this type of work, leaving the paneling or drywall and decorating for you to do.
Whether you choose a simple plan or a very creative and exciting room design, you can create a wonderful living space for your family by adding a living room to your existing home. The project will be a lot of fun to plan and build, and you will have a renovation that will enhance your lifestyle and increase the value of your home.
