14 Mar Custom Home Design Trend: The Rise of Multi-Functional Rooms
One very popular new trend in custom home design is the rise of multi-functional rooms. The practical trend took shape over the past few years due to homeowners changing needs. Be it a home where you wish to age in place or entertain out-of-town guests or a home with multi-functional rooms that meet the demands of a growing family this particular and practical custom home design trend is here to stay, in our opinion.
Why Are Multi-Functional Rooms So Popular?
For homeowners in the Quad Cities area, the rise of multi-functional rooms was driven by certain aspects amplified during the pandemic. Remote work required a home office, digital learning demanded a quiet environment, and everyone needed their own space to simply “be”.
As more and more Quad Cities homeowners discovered what was important in a home, custom home designs became much more multifunctional, and rooms were designed to play different roles. Custom home design trends now lean toward spaces that serve many purposes, either at the same time or depending on the future needs of the homeowner. Here, we look at the many ways your custom home design can incorporate multi-functional rooms.
How to Incorporate the Rise of Multi-Functional Rooms in Your Custom Home
Even the gifted design professionals at Seiffert Home Design sometimes face challenges in developing multi-functional rooms with purpose. However, combining your unique aesthetic with useful functionality that changes at a moment’s notice is something we enjoy. Here are some of the ways we rise to incorporate this custom design trend in your home.
Think in “Zones”
Zoning is the key to successful multi-functional spaces. This means dividing a larger section into smaller areas that reflect different activities. When you strategically zone different areas, the flow is cohesive. And the design of your space doesn’t appear disjointed. Your zones could be divided as follows:
- Family living space
- Cooking/Dining
- Sleeping
- Play/Recreation/Workout Areas
- Office/Homework Area
- Storage
Open Floor Plans
The open floorplan concept isn’t new, but a functional open floor plan does require some thought. As with the above-mentioned zones, your open floor plan area should have a specific flow of common usage and aesthetics. For example, you can designate your living area by arranging your furniture in a way that leaves no room for doubt. In your custom home design, you may designate a dining area by installing a bay window in that zone or a family room by incorporating doors to the outdoor living space, screen porch, patio, or deck.
Other open spaces in zones of your home, such as a kids’ room, can also serve as an exercise area as well as a homework space. A loft area can be a sitting room for intimate visits or reading quietly.
Multi-Functional Rooms for Dining
Your dining room can also serve as one of your home’s multi-functional rooms. Utilize that space as a home office by adding a desk in the corner of the room. You can find a decorative addition to your dining room that doesn’t look obvious.
If your dining room is large enough or opens into the living area you may add a sitting area for quiet conversation, reflection, or reading.
Install built-in storage in your dining room to serve as a place to keep special-use kitchen and dining items like serving ware or holiday dishes. Add an appliance storage cabinet or removable island for additional kitchen workspace.
Your Formal Living Room Can Serve Many Functions
Not all homes today include formal living rooms as part of their custom home design. If you prefer a separate, more formal living space as well as a family gathering space, consider all the ways living rooms can serve as multi-functional rooms.
- Guest Room (with pull-out sleeper sofa)
- Bar area for adult entertaining
- Library
A Guest Room With Options
A guest room offers the most as far as multi-functional rooms. Here are just a few of the ways your guest room can serve other purposes.
- Home Office
- Yoga Room
- Meditation Room
- Practice Space for Music
- Bedroom for Overnight Guests
You can keep your space for guests as well as other functions by using a Murphy bed to save on space or a sofa bed. A fold-down desk that’s attached to your wall converts a guest room into a home office in a jiffy. Install ambient lighting to keep the room peaceful, built-in speakers for music or meditation sounds, a nook for yoga mats and hand weights, etc., and a comfortable corner with a chair for some cozy time of your own.
The Value of Multi-Functional Rooms
Multi-functional rooms offer so much versatility. We believe this trend is going to stick around and add to the value of your custom home. For more information on today’s favorite functional home trends, please contact Seiffert Home Design, and let’s get started building your dream home.