Whether you’re imminently tackling a home remodel or just planning ahead for the future, now is the perfect time to dream about what could be. Beyond the kitchen, living areas, and bathrooms there are many spots in your home that could be customized to make your home even better. We call these spots specialty rooms.
What is a Specialty Room?
A specialty room is just that – a room designed for a specific, clear purpose. Think of a kitchen or a bathroom as sort of a “standard” specialty room – these are spaces with clearly defined functions and purposes.
A specialty room can be seen as both a practical and a luxury addition to a home – they often take the place of a multipurpose room or a bedroom, but in exchange allow you to keep your home more organized. In some of the examples below, they’re a great way to utilize an unusual-sized space that would otherwise be too small to use as a bedroom.
One of the best areas in your home to add a specialty room is in the basement. This is typically an area reserved for additional living space, which fits in nicely with many specialty rooms.
Now that you know what a specialty room is, let’s dive into some real-world examples to add to your inspo board.
12 Types of Specialty Rooms to Consider for Your Basement
Mental and Physical Stimulation
1. Home office / school space
This is undoubtedly the most popular type of specialty room, and for a good reason. A home office makes it easy to work from home without distractions. While you can also have a bedroom, kitchen or living room function as a double-duty workspace, having a dedicated home office area makes it easier to mentally check in and out of work each day. It also can be used for school – whether it’s a spot to do homework or as a full-scale homeschooling space.
2. Fitness room
Bringing the gym home makes it easier to hit your fitness goals. A dedicated fitness space is easier to spread out and clean up. It also allows you to purchase equipment like a treadmill or exercise bike without having to worry about how much room it’s taking up or how to get it out of the way for guests.
3. Golf simulator
We are seeing a big increase in at-home golf simulators here in Minnesota. These allow you to get out on the green even when the weather doesn’t cooperate. You might be surprised at how easy it is to accommodate a golf simulator in most homes!
Related Content: How High of a Ceiling Do You Need for an At-Home Golf Simulator?
4. Craft/hobby room
It’s your home – make it all about you. A dedicated craft or hobby room is perfect for the enthusiast who always has to squeeze out a space. This can be helpful as well to reduce clutter. You can go for a general hobby room with ample space for a multitude of crafts, or something even more specific.
Examples include, but aren’t limited to:
- Fiber crafting – sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery
- Model train constructing, assembling, and displaying
- Painting and/or sculpting
- Potting/gardening
- Cricut crafting
- LEGO constructing, assembling, and displaying
- Gift wrapping and/or packaging (for small businesses)
- Reading and writing
5. Meditation or prayer room
A specialty room is a great spot to carve out a space for reflection and relaxation. Create a space that can serve as a meditation or prayer room (or both.) This is a great way to have a quiet place for contemplation and spiritual connection without blocking off access to a multi-purpose room from other family members.
Fun for the Whole Family
6. Media room/home theater
This is another popular specialty room that takes your movie nights to a whole new level. A dedicated media room can be as elaborate as a home theater for the whole family or as laid-back as a space for the kids to play video games while the adults can use the main TV. These rooms are extremely customizable and can grow alongside your family.
7. Game room
A game room is a fantastic use of a specialty room. This can include large gaming sets like pool, table tennis, or table hockey as well as a space for playing board games. These activities can all be cumbersome when they’re laid out in a larger living space, so giving them a dedicated room is a great way to be able to game, without having a large piece of furniture taking up room when not in use.
8. Nursery/ playroom
A nursery room is a great addition to a home with a little one. And as the kids age, converting the nursery room into a playroom is an excellent specialty room to consider. A dedicated playroom helps give toys a home to reduce clutter while also adding more room for kids to spread out and play.
Good for Small Spaces
9. Mudroom
A mudroom is a fantastic practical addition to your home. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever did without. It’s also a great choice for those awkwardly-sized spaces. Mudrooms can be customized to fit just about any square footage or home layout. These work well in basements with their own entry into the home, to keep things tidy.
10. Working pantry
If you love to host and cook, a working pantry could be the perfect specialty room for you. These are dedicated spaces that offer both food storage and surfaces for meal prep. They’re also sometimes called sculleries, but we prefer the term “working pantry” as it better describes how the space is used in a modern home. The additional surface area can also serve as a desk for work or schoolwork, making it a “working area” beyond just meal prep. This can work in a basement, but it can also work as an add-on to the kitchen.
11. Breakfast nook
A breakfast nook is a great way to add a specialty space to your home for the family to gather. These also work well in areas that aren’t quite large enough to be their own separate room. It’s a great way to have a more casual dining area to use every day instead of a dining room. These work well in either basements or next to the kitchen.
12. Wine room
Finally, if you love to entertain, you might consider a wine room for your home. These can fit nicely into smaller spaces as well, while still providing a closed-off area to ensure the best climate for wine storage. A dedicated wine room also frees up space in your kitchen and pantry that can be used for other food storage.
A specialty room can really elevate your home by providing practical space for your interests, innovative storage solutions, and endless opportunities for customization.
Interested in adding a specialty room to your home? Our team of design-build experts are here to help. Call for a design consultation today at 952-746-7817 or contact us online for a project estimate.
Free Home Remodeling Guide:
Interior Designer, Architect, or Contractor: What’s the Difference and Why it Matters
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Someone to bring your plans to life, handle necessary permits, and ensure everything’s up to code.
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What types of building projects require an architect?
Learn more about the role of a general contractor and what you can expect.
Titus Contracting is a full-service remodeling company offering commercial and residential construction. We have an office in Burnsville, Minnesota and work throughout the Twin Cities.
