10 Ways to Use Flex Space In Your New Home

Today’s floor plans need to accommodate today’s lifestyle. Every household has their own needs and priorities. When choosing a new home or a floor plan, what is most important to you? How about flexibility? Look for a flex space — like a room or loft — that gives you more possibilities to tailor the home to you and your family. What is a flex space used for? Whatever you want! Here are some flex room ideas to inspire you:

Creative Ways to Use Your Home’s Flex Space

Home Office

An office has become one of the most common uses for a flex room. Working from the bedroom, living room, or kitchen island just does not lead to a productive workday. A dedicated home office gives you a quiet place (with a door!) where you can keep all of your equipment, materials, and work materials in one, undisturbed place.

Guest Room

Now that people are feeling more freedom to travel, you might be welcoming overnight guests. Set up your spare room to make them feel comfortable. In addition to closet space, Include a dresser so they can unpack.

Playroom

Move the noise and toys to your flex space! This option allows you to keep your living room more organized and quiet. Having a separate playroom makes it easier to entertain adults in your main living area’s open floor plan, too — like having the kids’ table at the family Thanksgiving dinner.

Learning Center

The sudden shift to distance learning and virtual classrooms created a challenge for many parents. Students need to be able to focus on their classwork, which requires that parents limit the distractions. Converting a flex room to a home classroom or learning center provides a study-ready place for everything from participating in online classes to doing homework and exploring creative learning. Equip the space with tables, storage space, and even a snack area. When a child can focus in an environment dedicated solely to learning, they put themselves in the right mindset.

Home Gym/Yoga Studio

Getting in a good workout was right up there with “going out to eat” on the list of things most-missed during the shelter-at-home period. Having an extra room where you can create a home gym is a nice feature.

Library

Is reading a relaxing experience you want more of? Use your flex space to afford you the luxury of basking in your collection of books and magazines. Include a comfortable sitting area with pillows and throws and give the room task lighting to prevent eye strain. Stash snacks and slippers, and make sure you have a dog bed if you’ll be sharing this library with your canine companion.

Bar/Lounge

Picture those cozy pubs with a bar off in the corner, low lights, and stools where you could sit for hours. Your new home’s flex room could easily become that intimate bar where you can retreat for your drink of choice. Treat your friends to a tasting party. Serve up your homebrew.  Adding a kegerator, wine chiller, and sink adds the finishing touch.

Game Room

How about putting your fun in one place? A game room uses your flex space for anything from video games to board games to playing pool, ping pong, foosball, virtual reality, arcade games, or whatever else your game night includes.

Hobby Studio

Without a dedicated place for hobby equipment and supplies, the home crafter must set up a workstation and then tuck everything away when the crafting is done for the day. Imagine how much easier it would be to have your own hobby studio! Keep your sewing machine set up, organize your supplies so you can get what you want without hunting through boxes and bins. Your easel and work remain undisturbed. Let the inspiration flow freely without the limits of a temporary workspace.

Movie Theater

It doesn’t take much to create a home theater in your flex space. Install room-darkening shades on the windows, set up a large-screen TV, add reclining seating, and click on your streaming apps. Set up a snack bar with a popcorn machine, mini-fridge, and a well-stocked supply of movie munchies.

Music Room

Another use for a flex room is to indulge your passion for music. Whether you play instruments or just enjoy listening to your favorite music, focus on enhancing the acoustics. A carpet or rug can absorb some of the sounds, but you might need to invest in soundproofing fixes, like acoustic ceiling tiles and additional insulation on the walls.

Happy Place

Do you need a place where you can retreat with only your thoughts to keep you company? A flex room could become your happy place. Use it for those zen-filled moments of meditation or yoga. Surround yourself with visual reminders of your joy. And live with the peace of mind that you can always run away from whatever is bothering you without leaving your home.

Whatever purpose you need it for, a flex room can enhance your home’s livability and your quality of life. Explore floor plans in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston and find the home — and flex room — that’s right for you. Consider these flex room ideas as you plan your new space.