If you are considering a family room addition it’s a good idea to think carefully about your family’s lifestyle and what you hope to accomplish by creating this new space before you simply add an extra room and start shopping for furniture.
Since many family rooms house the main television, start with this question: Are you adding a family room for more technology, or, to spend more time together as a family? By beginning with your family goal in mind, you can avoid turning the “family room” into what would be more accurately described as a “home theatre.”
If your purpose is the former, your interest in this blog will end here. However, if your goal is to triumph over the onslaught of personal technology and get your family’s attention, then continue on.
The Technology Challenge
And just in case you think that family “together time” won’t be a challenge, consider this:
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The number of iPhones, Laptops, Kindles, and a listing of electronic games too numerous to mention that are currently in use.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that board game sales have never been higher. http://theboardgamefamily.com/2012/03/digital-board-games-boost-sales-of-physical-games/. Growth trends in home schooling, visits to state parks and camping also indicate that we are attempting to increase our family interaction activities.
10 Ideas for Family Centered Family Rooms
With that in mind, here are a few ideas that can make your family room a place for family interaction, communication and play:
1) If a large TV or theatre system is part of the room, provide enclosed storage so you can create a different atmosphere during family times.
2) Consider a comfortable range of space for each person in your family as they grow. Give your contractor that information before deciding on room size.
3) A drop down table will give your family space to play board games or hold family meetings. Make sure to allow for room to open it up.
4) Refer to retreats or any effective group meetings you have been a part of and incorporate some of those elements into your family room.
5) Modular furniture that can be rearranged according to group size is a great way to insure that everyone is comfortable and has the flexibility to interact.
6) Invest in thick padding and carpeting for floor activities in place of hardwood or tile floors. Also be sure to include a fabric protector for spills!
7) Make sure you have handy storage space so that games and electronics don’t clutter the room.
8) Natural light creates a relaxing, stress free environment. If you don’t have the wall space, consider adding skylights instead.
9) A mini bar or kitchen nearby is a good idea to prevent distractions by people leaving for food or beverages.
10) Above all, choose a contractor that takes the time to thoughtfully design your family room with your purpose in mind.
If you'd like to discuss your new family room addition, please contact Vic Lisi at (315)622-4436
or (315) 727-6707.
Multigenerational Living Facts
If you thought that it was time to leave home, think again! More twenty-somethings are staying with Mom and Dad to save money, build credit, and pay off educational loans. In fact, three or more generations living together is not so uncommon these days. These households have grown to include some 50 million Americans (greater than 16%), an increase of 40% since 1990.
The combination of increasing life expectancies, baby boomers retiring, and pension funds all contribute to this growing trend. An arti
cle on www.grandparents.com states “62 percent of the more than 6 million multigenerational households in the United States were created by adult children moving in with their parents.” The article, ‘When Families Live Together: A Survival Guide,’ states that believe it or not, it’s a good thing. article
Multigenerational Living: A Good Thing
In a Washington Post article this past April, John L. Graham, professor emeritus at the University of California at Irvine, states that it can be a rewarding choice for baby boomers that offers the emotional intimacy that comes with frequent contact among family members and the opportunity to make a strong connection with their grandchildren and pass on their knowledge and experience.
That’s not to say it’s easy. In order to have a happy existence, families must work at good communication, setting healthy boundaries, and an overall consideration for each other that might not have existed previous to their new living arrangement.
Multigenerational Living and Remodeling
When it comes to home remodeling, multigenerational living can strongly influence design plans for those who are looking to renovate larger or older homes.
In kitchen design, European design has had multi function and multi generational design as a prerequisite for years due to the smaller living spaces and the tendency for families to stay close by and rely on family for support.
Home design plays a big part in the adjustment process. If families members don’t have the room or storage space to function and maintain their own private space, it can make multigenerational living that much more difficult.
Hire a Qualified Contractor
When it comes to choosing a contractor to remodel a home for multigenerational living, the National Association of Home Builders recommends choosing a contractor that is certified with the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, the result of the work of NAHB Remodelers in conjunction with the NAHB Research Center, 50+ Housing Council and AARP. (http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=8398).
Vic Lisi of JVA Construction Services has not only completed this certification process, but has nine other certificates of designation on his office wall, including Home Modifications for People with Sensory Impairment by IDEAS (Innovative Designs in Environments for an Aging Society), Home Modifications for People with Dementia, Home Modifications for People with Motor Impairment, and more. And this fall, 3 other members of the JVA Construction Team will have their CAPS certification completed.
For more information on remodeling for multigenerational living, call Vic Lisi at (315) 727-6707 or email him at jvaservice@aol.com.
The Timing is Right for Bathrooms
While many homeowners these days are focusing on remodeling jobs instead of searching for a newer home, they might be reticent to take on an expensive project – like redoing a kitchen. For such people, it might be a good to consider a less expensive job, like remodeling a bathroom.
According to the Remodeling 2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Report, (www.costvsvalue.com) 64.1% of the cost of a bathroom remodel can be recouped at resale, and that’s for a standard bathroom. With the amount of boomers out there, the timing couldn’t be better to have a home with a Walk-in-Tub, which offers greater safety features than the typical bathtub.
Why a Walk-in-Tub?
In the case of baby boomers that want to stay in their home as they age, or are taking care of elderly parents, the walk-in tub is a great safety choice.
And in the case of multigenerational homes, whether it’s for your elderly parents or your children, the walk-in-tub is a terrific solution.
The door opens on the side, so there is no step over or up on a slippery surface. For little ones bathing, the tub sides are higher by necessity, making it more difficult for them to stand up and fall over the edge. The door on the side means the adult bathing the child can walk the child right out of the tub, easing the strain on his/her back. Additionally, walk-in tubs have slip resistant floors and rails, therapeutic bathing, and custom hydrotherapy jetting. Overall, walk-in-tubs are a safer alternative to standard bathtubs and showers.
Benefits of a Walk-in-Tub:
Some of the most common benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Built-in seating, which may be permanent or in a fold-up and fold-down selection.
- Anti-slip flooring for greater stability and safety for all generations.
- Shower valves that offer anti-scalding temperature controls.
- Grab bars that may be placed throughout the shower enclosure and at different heights, depending on the need.
- Some walk-in-tub models offer power-operated seats or swivel chairs that help lift seniors or the handicapped into and out of the shower.
What To Look For:
When considering installing a walk-in-tub in a home environment, make sure that it is ADA (American Disabilities Act)- approved. The person using the tub may have stability problems, or balance and strength issues. These issues may require other bathroom remodeling considerations, ones that are best addressed by a contractor that is certified with the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation, the result of the work of NAHB Remodelers in conjunction with the NAHB Research Center, 50+ Housing Council and AARP. (http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=8398).
Vic Lisi of JVA Construction Services has not only completed this certification process, but has nine other certificates of designation on his office wall, including Home Modifications for People with Sensory Impairment by IDEAS (Innovative Designs in Environments for an Aging Society), Home Modifications for People with Dementia, Home Modifications for People with Motor Impairment, and more. And this fall, 3 other members of the JVA Construction Team will have their CAPS certification completed.
For more information on remodeling for multigenerational living, call Vic Lisi at (315) 727-6707.