skip to main content

Building a Home

Bonus Room ideas?

13 years ago

Our new house will not have a basement due to water 7 ft. below the ground surface where our house is to sit. We are literally at 7500 ft. elevation and we are sitting on a natural spring. The engineer wrote that we cannot dig further than 4 ft. below. So, the house is redesigned to have a bonus room over the garage, which would be equivalent to a rec room. Does anyone have any photos of their bonus rooms with a wet bar and fireplace included? I can't seem to visualize the layout. Thanks!

Comments (5)

crescent50
13 years ago
We are also planning a bonus room rec room above our 3 car garage that will include a 1/2 bath & a wet bar. No fireplace but the tv lift cabinet that we are planning for the couch area is available in a fireplace version.

Here is a rough draft of our space using a room planner furniture site.

A link to a fireplace tv lift:
http://www.importadvantage.com/Remington

Good Luck with your planning- I'll look forward to seeing pictures.
coloradomomof5
Original Author
13 years ago
crescent50, Thanks for the idea w/pic. I like the amount of windows too. I was thinking of tucking the wet bar into the same corner. I am beginning to see it. :)
Related Discussions
bonus room / family room games
Q
Comments (8)
Well, we don't watch TV or movies to any extent. We watch football & the news. So, we went another direction in our home. We've got a large bookcase with hundreds of books (some quite rare), a chess set, wood scrabble board, cards, a small stereo system, & my piano. There's a flat-panel 15" TV. I have the custom-made wingback chair of my dreams & DH has a leather chair & ottoman. The wood pieces are all early American antique with a lot of 17th & 18th century wine glasses & decanters sitting around (DH's collection). We also don't have children home any longer so the room is no longer "child-friendly". The grandkids love to sit on Grandpa's lap in that room & play "what's it?" pointing to the various collectibles. But, it's the only room in the house where they can't roam freely. lol In years past, when the kids were still home, we've had ping-pong, tournament-size pool table, much larger stereos, larger TVs, darts, Whirlitzer juke box (really fun!), and a small dance floor. Have always had the books, chess, and one piano or another.
...See More
basement bonus room ideas (office and playroom)
Q
Comments (2)
Since it is going to be a play area I would go for the vinyl. Although carpet is warmer, play dough and paint is easer to clean off of vinyl. You can always add a area rug for floor play.
...See More
bonus room new build
Q
Comments (46)
For the buildout, what you list sounds like the big items in a nutshell (given framing allowed for a habitable space), but was under the impression the $15K is to build out a blank attic (so don't understand comment of drywall/flooring was already going in). I think if you pick out what I said before, that it could cost you $5K for your husband to DIY it (say it's even $2800 of materials for all that), then $15K for the builder's charge is not out of line. But yes it sucks the premium you pay for what it seems you get out of it. For a 3rd party, there are some very qualified persons that exists on the residential side (a thread here had a couple 3rd parties for his build in Florida, but that was a very detailed project and the homeowner was construction knowledgeable and hovered in the industry), but it seems like some of the things you need are a sounding board and opinion and translation on things, rather than a forensic analysis of the build or contract process. An architect doing C/A for someone's spec house is not a good fit. A typical home-sale escrow inspector would not be a good fit. But you may find a home inspector that markets to new construction, that might have the right combo of experience for your needs. I googled and found a couple in the NW suburbs, so maybe hone in on what exactly you would want from them and ask when you interview them. And FWIW the contingency is just money set aside that was included in initial financing; it is not tied to only change orders (which technically anything different from the contract documents should be a change order), it can be utilized for anything. Whatever is not used, is not included in the final closing numbers.
...See More
Need ideas for redoing the bonus room
Q
Comments (5)
I would get the 9x12 rug rather than 8x10. Swivel recliners or chairs for sure. they don't need to match. I would remove all the little things. no need for the ladder shelf unit, how about a tall green plant, would be a nice transition to the outdoor area. I would also do top down/bottom up blinds for the windows to control light while watching TV (the glare) the consoles are good. do you need the storage? rather than mount the TV on the wall? I would paint the whole wall that the TV will be againt a SW Naval, to obscure the TV and create a calming when viewing the TV. (also an interesting color for a room that gets a lot of natural light.) a shibori pattern for chair upholstery? Keep it simple, let the few pieces and the new rug shine.
...See More
thisishishouse
13 years ago
Not sure if it's what you're thinking of, but here's some pix of a bonus room above a 3-car garage (~ 21 x 35 I think)from an MLS listing we really like.
gopintos
13 years ago
Those are lovely. Our FROG (finished room over garage) is a Study for now, with a reading nook in the double window dormer. It also has a door on it, as I will probably make it into a guest bedroom at some point in the future, or a playroom for the grandkids might better serve us.

The geothermal for that floor is housed in what looks like a closet. I guess part of the FROG is the bathroom, but the door to the bathroom is accessible from the hall which is not over the garage. So the steam shower area is over the garage part.

But I guess what I am getting at, is that if there is a hall bath close, your family could just use that and save your bonus room space.

One thing that might help you, is just find inspirational rooms that you love. They don't have to be bonus rooms necessarily. Just find what you are wanting, and then apply it to your bonus room.
coloradomomof5
Original Author
13 years ago
oooh! -love those photos. I like how the multiple windows really lets in the light. The east side of our house will be towards the woods, so great windows to the west will be a factor. The vaulted ceiling has an impact as well. Thanks for the ideas.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: Gaining Space and Options With a Flex Room

By Becky Harris

See how a new entryway bonus room increases dining and entertaining possibilities, and improves this California home’s flow

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Unlock Your Bonus Room’s Potential

Your unused room just might become your new favorite space

0

DINING ROOMS Better Ways to Use Your Dining Room

Ready to rethink a formal dining room? Here are some great ideas for turning your home’s least-used room into a fun multitasking area

WALL TREATMENTS Room of the Day: Original Mural Brings Joy to a Formal Dining Room

By Becky Harris

French inspiration gives traditional style a twist in this Victorian-era home

DECORATING GUIDES Budget Decorator: 15 No-Cost Ways to Invigorate Your Space

By Laura Gaskill

Changing your home's look with what you have can be as invigorating as buying something new — with feeling resourceful as a bonus

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Expert Tips for Creating a Basement Bedroom

By Shawn Gauthier

Put overnight guests up in comfort or enjoy the bonus bedroom yourself with this professional advice for converting your basement

LAUNDRY ROOMS The Cure for Houzz Envy: Laundry Room Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make fluffing and folding more enjoyable by borrowing these ideas from beautifully designed laundry rooms

KIDS’ SPACES 12 Home Stages That Put on a Great Show

By Amber Hopman

Get ideas for encouraging your family's performance skills from these kid-size and grown-up home stages and theaters

ARCHITECTURE Get a Perfectly Built Home the First Time Around

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Yes, you can have a new build you’ll love right off the bat. Consider learning about yourself a bonus

DECORATING GUIDES How to Use Mirrors for More Light and Style

By Laura Gaskill

A well-placed mirror gives a room sparkle, surprise and a bright, open feeling. Here are 15 clever ideas to try in your own house

Sponsored

More Discussions

Older home with Lower second story ceiling

29

Polished Nickel Framed Shower Enclosure

7

Bathroom Reno guidance for first time home owner??

14

pocket door questions

7

What type of siding should I use on our house?

6