8LF | THURSDAY , FEBRUARY 4 , 2021 | THE RECORD
ASPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE RECORD
Homescape
INTERIOR DESIGN ❚ HOME IMPROVEMENT
Reinvent the empty nest for life ’ s next chapter
Home offices , gyms are in high demand
By DONNA ROLANDO
SPECIAL TO HOMESCAPE
It all comes down to perspective . An
empty nest can hang heavy with bittersweet memories of rooms once centered on children and family . Or it can be reinvented to fulfill lifestyle dreams .
After all , the empty nest offers something most familieswish they had more of right now — extra space . Never in recent years have families been spending somuch time at home , forced by the pandemic in some cases tonot only shelter in place , but work and attend school there .
Turning bedrooms into offices has become anecessity for many , along with maximizing basement use with entertainment centers or gyms . “ If you don ’ t have ahome office , run don ’ t walk . Get yourself adesigner and get ahome office . Idon ’ t think the home office is going away ,” said Sandy Cabelis , owner of aPine Brook eponymous design firm .
“ Home gyms have been popular right now because ( commercial ) gyms have been closed . Recently , Iwas at alisting where the complete third floor was converted into agym ,” added Megan Fox , an agent in the Ho-Ho-Kus office of Christie ’ s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey .
START WITH A FRESH IDEA
But if space abounds , why stop there ? How about that master bath / spa on your wish list or perhaps a master suite with sitting area and walk-incloset ?
Gordon Keil , owner of Keil Design & Construction in Montclair , views the master suite and spa-like master bath as one of the most popular projects today .
“ My experience is people have been taking an extra bedroom and combining it with the master to make asuite out of it . They want the large walk-in closets ,” said Keil , a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry . And in the master bath , many homeowners desire spa-like features like a soaking tub .
“ Really you can utilize that new space and divide it up as needed . Improve the overall footprint of the master suite ,” said Cabelis , a member of the American Society of Interior Designers .
Indulge without the guilt because master suites and baths , “ always help sell a home ,” unless of course , the project takes away too much bedroom space , Fox explained .
If hobbies are more your passion , why not consider a space designed around your interest , be it a library , workshop , music or artist studio , or wine room ? Got a green thumb ? Perhaps a garden room near the kitchen will be the perfect place to grow herbs .
Can ’ t get enough of arts & crafts ? It ’ s time to take back the kitchen table and give it its own space . Or maybe your industriousness has turned into a home business . With a private entrance on a lower level , and if your local zoning laws agree , your extra space could bring in extra cash . Let a little imagination breathe new life into those empty nest rooms .
As new looks for basements , Keil has tackled wine cellars as well as man caves , both popular transformations . He noted that finishing this often-underutilized area is one of the “ cheapest ways to get alot of extra space in the house .”
True , empty nesters may feel they have too much space , but giving the basement a purpose will fill that uncomfortable void . And some uses are best suited for the basement : It can be an impossible challenge to lug heavy gym equipment up the stairs and then try to squeeze it through bedroom doorways , said Cabelis .
COUNT THOSE BEDROOMS
With newfound space comes responsibility . You may plan to resell this home someday and losing a lot of bedrooms could detract from its value , said Fox . If you have plentiful bedrooms , eliminating one or two is not as much of an issue , she explained . But the average family with a boy and girl may need at least three bedrooms , so envision potential buyers when remodeling .
“ I thinkyou want to be very cognizant to make sure your room can change back to what it originally was or a neutral setting ,” said Fox . “ For resale valueyou don ’ t want to take away too much from the traditional home .”
Some uses , like amovie theater , could mean an expensive investment that not every buyer will appreciate ; sellers should not expect to recover their costs , she said . Same for awine cellar or music room with soundproofing and acoustic features . It may not hurt resale , but the homeowner is not likely to recoup his investment .
Cover your bases by thinking of uses that can be converted back to a bedroom if necessary , perhaps a nursery / play area for the grandchildren or ahome office / guestroom . “ It ’ s still abedroom as long as you ’ re keeping the closet ,” said Cabelis .
LET LOCATION BE YOUR GUIDE
Before you give your imagination free rein , heed some advice from Cabelis , who says that location is akey factor in deciding the future use of any room .
Converting a bedroom is great for a music room or artist studio , but awine room or workshop fits better in the basement , and where else would one put that long-awaited , sometimes noisy man cave ?
For those with agreen thumb agarden room works best where there ’ s natural light and a tile floor for easy maintenance , probably near the kitchen , said Cabelis .
Can ’ t resist a good book ? Well , if the formal living room is just collecting dust in the empty nest , a library may give it new purpose , Cabelisadded .
A real hit with grandkids , a crafting room with a big worktable and lots of storage for wrapping paper is one of those things that can go almost anyplace , bedroom or basement , she said .
THINK MULTI-PURPOSE
For empty nesters with limited newfound space , Cabelis suggested combining uses , for example , a home office that doubles as a guestroom . Look for pieces that are multi-functional too , such as Murphy bed that tucks out of sight .
The designer prefers décor that ’ s soothing and relaxing but universal for greater appeal . For an office , think multi-level lighting with textured walls to absorb sound and aTVscreen that can double as a work screen for Zoom meetings .
The playroom can also get dual use if the design includes a day-bed with throw and roll pillows so “ you can sit on it like asofa ,” said Cabelis , adding , “ it ’ s all about space saving . Ithink the key is if you make these rooms multi-functional , you can ’ t lose ,” she said .
With so many prospects , an empty nest need not be depressing . Dreams long submerged in the realities of raising a family can finally take flight . Consider these guidelines and then get creative by transforming your home from an empty nest to a source of continued joy . Follow your interests and go easy on the bedrooms , and this new chapter of homeownership will be abright one .
PHOTOS COURTESY OF KEIL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Finishing this often-underutilized basement ( above ) is one of the cheapest ways to create extra space in the house . Aspa-like master bath ( below ) has alsobecome a popular project among empty-nesters looking to maximize home value with an eye toward selling .
THERE ’ S ONLY1
BATH FITTER
SAVE ON A NEW BATH OR SHOWER
For over 35 years and with more than 2 million satisfied customers , you can trust the experts at Bath Fitter for top quality , guaranteed bathroom remodels .
PREVENT THE
SPREAD OF
COVID-19 AND
SAVE $ 100 *
THE INNOVATIVE SOLUTION THAT KEEPS YOUR FAMILY AND HOME SAFE
iWave installs easily inside your air conditioning ductwork and is proven in laboratory tests to kill airborne pathogens , bacteria and germs including 99.4 % inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Corona Virus .
Self-cleaning design with no replacement parts to deal with .
* This Offer is valid on full installation of iWaveR # 212215 ( Reg . $ 800.00 ) With Coupon $ 700.00 installed . Special offer expires on 2 / 28 / 21 . See website for complete details .
Bloomfield Cooling , Heating & Electric Inc .
973-237-0505 www . BloomfieldCooling . com
NJ ELEC LIC # 11850B
HVAC-R LIC # 19HC00144800
UPDATED
ALL DAY
NOW THAT ’ S REFRESHING
THE NEWS IS ALWAYS CHANGING .
SO ARE WE .
VISIT US ONLINE 24 / 7
1DAY
INSTALLATION 1
1PIECE SEAMLESS WALL
FREE Consultations
ACT NOW AND GET
0 %
OR
1FACTORY
TRAINED INSTALLER
Our Team Follows Strict Safety Guidelines
201-518-2409
NYC : 2096275-DCA • SUFFOLK : HI-63427 • NASSAU : 164441 • WESTCHESTER : WC-32706-H20 ROCKLAND : H-08068-A6-00 • NJ : 13VH10999600
* Subject to credit approval . ** Offer valid with purchase of a complete Bath Fitter system . Offer does not apply to previous purchases and must be presented at time of estimate . At participating locations only , see store for details . Offer expires 3 / 15 / 2021 . 1-Typically done in as little as 1 day , 2-Lifetime warranty valid for as long as you own your home .
NR-GCI0573111-03
1LIFETIME
GUARANTEE 2
INTEREST *
FOR 30 MONTHS
Save $ 250 **