Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.
Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A., Berkshire Hathaway EWM Realty.Phone: (786) 512-2467
Email: [email protected]

How to bring your household together with these upgrades

by Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A. 10/15/2023

Spending time with those in your home is often a difficult task, especially if everyone else has their own schedules and to-do lists for their day. However, you can remodel a few choice areas to attract everyone else in the home to spend some good, old-fashioned quality time together. Here are a few key strategies to help bolster impromptu hangouts and social household gatherings.

1. Add a breakfast corner to your kitchen

Kitchens typically garner the most foot traffic of any room in the house. They are the spaces where most of the major cooking occurs and where snacks and beverages are usually stored. If the primary entryway is positioned in the kitchen, there's simply no way to avoid walking through it.

This facet creates a unique opportunity to bring people together. Integrating a breakfast and coffee counter will likely attract house members before they start their day. Rather than grab-and-go beverages, cereal or bagels, a counter with seating invites people to gather.

What generally happens next is a light conversation, which might not have otherwise occurred. Homeowners may want to consider modifying a center island, building a new one or a designated spot near a window.

2: Build a detached outdoor hangout area

While it may seem more common to have a deck, patio or veranda connected to the kitchen, it might be a bit counterintuitive for social interaction. Most house members might use the area to do work, homework, chat with friends via video calls, check social media or a plethora of other activities. A detached area, however, might change the dynamic, especially if it's a designated hangout spot for the house.

The following backyard upgrades are worth considering.

  • screened-in gazebo with heating and cooking space
  • hardscape with built-in outdoor kitchen and seating
  • brick patio with seating and fire pit

Enjoying a sunny afternoon drinking cold beverages and eating delicious grilled foods or sitting under the stars while roasting marshmallows often proves attractive.

3: Create your own getaway room

 A getaway room brings together ideas such as game night, camping trips and rec room space. This strategy involves selecting an underused space and remodeling it. These spaces may include a garage, basement or outbuilding. Depending on the types of things your household enjoys doing collectively, the upgrades are then selected to support them.

  • Some common remodeling ideas may include the following:
  • Converting an outbuilding into a cabin getaway complete with bunk-style beds.
  • Remodeling the basement into a home theater complete with reclining movie chairs.
  • Turn the garage into a game room with features like a kitchenette and bathroom.

The fundamental remodeling idea is to develop a space where your whole household can get away from everyday distractions. It may prove valuable to also designate "no-device" areas. While advanced technology has improved life in many ways, re-imagining the home as a communal space helps strengthen bonds between loved ones.

About the Author
Author

Adelaida “Ady” M. Artime, P.A.

In her role as a real estate and relocation specialist in South Florida and Northern Virginia, Ady Artime prides herself on providing the highest level of service, confidentiality and professionalism to her clients. Based on her own experience as a government liaison, Ady is in familiar territory working with high powered individuals. She possesses a discreet and confidential work ethic, and her keen eye, attention to detail, and experience with multi-million dollar properties have earned her a high-profile, loyal clientele that expect the best from their realtor.

Known for her expertise and strong background in interior design, she stands out from other real estate agents. When a satisfied client says that Ady knows real estate "inside and out", the statement is to be taken literally. Over the course of her career, she has received recognition as an award-winning interior designer. She has designed and implemented interiors for countless luxury projects throughout the United States, and Europe. Her extensive knowledge of all facets of design, including working with architects and construction teams, led to a natural progression into the real estate arena and gives her a definite edge over the competition in serving her clients.

As and agent in South Florida and North Virginia, Ady lends her real estate expertise and design savvy to buyers and sellers. Ady's mission is to develop a faithful, repeat clientele by providing them with superior service and value. She is passionate about her work and takes the time to understand each client's needs and goals to accurately assess the options she provides. From overseeing the staging of a listed property in order to fetch the highest possible price to analyzing a potential purchase from a design and architectural perspective.