One of the features that first drew us to our home when we were in the market was the giant bonus room over the garage. Accessed by a second staircase off of the mud room, my husband and I dreamed of filling this 600-sq-ft space with a huge couch, mounds of blankets and pillows, dogs and kids. Although it was unfinished, we knew it had potential and with a little vision (and a lot of work!) would be the perfect multi-use space for our future family – and boy, were we right. “The Secret Couch Room” (lovingly named by my adorable 6-year old niece) is now one of the most used rooms in our home. Read on for our design goals and must-haves that helped us transform this drab and unfinished space.
Finding the Perfect Giant Couch
On a trip to Portland, we stopped by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams to get some inspiration and completely fell in love with something called a pit sectional. It was huge, comfy and perfect – but way out of our price range. Luckily, we were able to recreate the look for less (like, 50% less) with the Beckham Pit Sectional from Bassett Furniture. This sectional comes in a variety of configurations and performance fabric choices so we were able to customize it perfectly to fit our space. We settled on the charcoal performance basket weave fabric to keep it kid friendly, and added two detachable storage ottomans to keep the space flexible and functional.
Creating a Multi-use, Functional Space
In addition to storing toys, games and workout equipment, we knew that we wanted this space to feature a fireplace and house a big ole’ TV, acting first and foremost as our family theater room. We love movies! However I quickly realized that in order to make the most of the space and create the built-in of our dreams, we were going to have to cover up a window. Although there was a sound system previously wired in on the north-facing wall, we didn’t want to block the window that looked out to the back yard so we decided to reconfigure the space and make the focal point the south facing wall (and block the window facing into the neighbor’s house instead).
I mentioned that this room is located over the garage, so it isn’t quite as well insulated as the rest of the house. We went through a whole winter in our house before this project was completely conceptualized, and the freezing temps definitely reaffirmed the need for a fireplace. We upgraded to one with a fan that would heat up to 1000 square feet – it definitely does the job. Around the fireplace we used modern charcoal slate slabs, paneling that hides storage and a floating mantle that matches the beam running through the room.
Keeping the Decor Cozy (and Dark!)
My husband pretty much lets me do what I want when it comes to decor, but he did have one major request for this space: no white paneling! By designing a fireplace, built-in and wall mount that used various shades of grey, there is less visual distraction, letting the big screen take center stage. Instead I focused on added intrigue through the contrasting textures – matte paint and rustic wood. The wood panels were purchased on Wayfair, and mimic the hardwood flooring downstairs. Running the wood vertically keeps the space more modern. We added new light fixtures, a modern fan, and cozy blankets and throw pillows to round out and complete the space. A few strategically placed trays that hold candles and our snacks have us movie night ready!
This project was a huge undertaking with a lot of moving parts, contractors, inspectors, and skilled professionals. But with a little vision – a lot of patience – and keeping our design goals in mind, we were able to create the multi-use family room of our dreams.
