A flex room is a space that can adapt to your family’s needs. Shea homeowners often choose to transform their bonus rooms into a home gym, entertainment room, or a hobby room.
Before adding a wall to a flex room, make sure the building manager and condo or co-op board approve it. This is important because some states have restrictions on using pressurized walls to separate a flex space.
Bedroom
If you’re looking for an apartment that has one bedroom but can be converted into two by adding a temporary wall, then look for a flex room. This is a living space that can be transformed into two rooms with the use of a fully pressurized wall that looks just like any other wall but doesn’t cause any damage to the existing structure.
If your family loves to host movie marathons and Star Wars parties, make a media room out of your flex space with a widescreen TV, sound system, comfortable seating and plenty of extra storage for games and books. This is a great way to keep your main living area clutter-free and focused on entertaining.
A cozy reading nook or library is another fun way to use your flex space. Add comfortable chairs and lighting to create an inviting place to curl up with a good book. A dedicated reading space is a wonderful way to spend more time with your kids or to create an ideal spot for yourself to unwind after a long day.
Some flex spaces can be designed for a home office or craft room. If this is the case for your flex space, consider adding desks, cabinets and shelving that can be repurposed when you’re ready to switch out decor for something more seasonal.
Other flex spaces are perfect for creating a yoga studio or exercise room. If sun salutations and downward dog poses are more your speed, build out your flex space with a yoga mat or exercise equipment such as a Peloton bike. Keeping workout equipment in this dedicated space allows you to do your cardio without consuming your entire living area.
Lastly, a flex space can also be used to showcase your favorite hobby or interest. Whether you’re a painter or quilter, a dedicated space to practice your passion can be just what you need to keep your skills sharp and create beautiful works of art. If you’re going with a theme for your space, consider adding a pop of color or patterned wallpaper to give the room more character and help it stand out against other uses.
Reading Room
With so many options for digital entertainment, a reading room is an opportunity to enjoy some time with the pages of a book. You can make this room as simple or as luxurious as you want by selecting a comfortable chair, a cozy blanket and some books. If you are a fan of audiobooks, consider investing in a good quality stereo and speakers so you can listen to your favorite novels or memoirs.
A flex space can serve as a home office, craft room, children’s playroom or even a home gym depending on your lifestyle and hobbies. The beauty of a flex space is that it can adapt over time to fit your changing needs. It’s important to include plenty of storage in your design plan for a flex room to manage clutter and organize your equipment. This may include a large closet for clothing or shelving for toys, office supplies, and other items.
If your flex space has a window, dividing the room with curtains can add privacy and a soft accent. Choose a lightweight fabric such as silk, cotton or lace to allow maximum sunlight into the room. If privacy is not a concern, consider heavier fabrics such as suede or velvet.
For those who still love to read but have struggled to keep up with the growing popularity of ebooks, a dedicated reading room is an opportunity to rekindle your passion for books. It’s also a great place to host family and friends for a book club or to catch up on your latest read.
Another popular use for a flex room is a home gym or fitness studio. If you’ve got a Peloton bike or free weights, a flex room is the perfect place to house your equipment and keep it out of sight from guests.
A flex room can also be used as an entertainment room with a flat screen TV and surround sound system. If you don’t want to crowd your great room, consider converting a flex room into a media room and making it a hub for gaming, movie marathons or family game night.
Dressing Room
If you love to shop and collect dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry, a dressing room is a great addition to your home. This type of flex space can also serve as a place to work on outfits for special occasions or even just daily wear. To create a dressing room, it’s helpful to separate the space with a wall to provide privacy and a sense of enclosure. A temporary wall can do the trick, but if you want something more stylish and permanent, opt for a drywall solution. This will be a bit more expensive but will make the space feel like it is an actual separate room.
Another option is to use a shelving unit or bookcase to separate the space. For a more decorative look, choose items that coordinate with your decor and can double as a display space. Hanging curtains can also be a great way to create a divider and offer privacy. Make sure the curtains are longer than the width of the window to create a billowing effect and buffer noise from the rest of the home.
A flex room can also be used as an entertainment space. If you enjoy entertaining friends or have out-of-town guests, this is a great use of a flex space. This type of flex space can include a pool table, movie room, or even just an area for guests to relax and unwind.
You can also turn a flex space into a dedicated hobby area. Whether you’re an artist, a fitness enthusiast, or an antique collector, a dedicated space for your passion is always welcome. A flex space allows you to dedicate an entire room to your hobbies without having to sacrifice other spaces in the house.
If you’re in the market for a new home, consider looking for a floorplan that includes a flex space. This is a great opportunity to add function and versatility to your home without having to spend extra money on renovations. To find a new home that features a flex room, speak with an expert real estate agent who can help you identify the right floorplan and spot potential flex spaces.
Fitness Area
A flex room can provide a space for a home gym or fitness studio. Grouping free weights, spin bike and treadmill equipment together in a dedicated area can make it easier for residents to reach their exercise goals by eliminating the temptation to talk themselves out of going to the gym. This feature is especially valuable for those with limited square footage or who prefer a private workout environment away from the noise of the main living areas.
Flex spaces can also be equipped with a media or entertainment room that serves as an entertaining hub for family and friends. Including a media wall, flat-screen TV, seating and lighting with plenty of seating can provide the perfect spot for a home theater experience.
Some homeowners choose to use their flex rooms as children’s playrooms to keep the main living areas of their home free from clutter and chaos. If the flex room is large enough, it can also be turned into a hobby room to accommodate craft and sewing activities or other fun projects.
Upstairs flex spaces tend to become guest rooms and crafting rooms more often than those downstairs, but both types can also be used as home offices. With the ability to serve many different functions, these spaces are becoming a popular choice for multifamily apartment homes.
The most important element in a flex room is versatility. The space needs to be able to adapt over time to accommodate changing lifestyles. That’s why incorporating features that allow residents to change the room’s functionality is so beneficial.
For example, adding a retractable sofa in a flex space can easily transform it into a sleeper sofa for visiting guests. In addition, incorporating storage that can be opened or closed is important for managing messes and containing the equipment needed for various purposes.
With a little creativity and forethought, a flex room can be transformed into whatever is most important to its resident. The key is to figure out what a resident’s needs are now and in the future and design a space that will meet those needs as they evolve. If you’re interested in finding a flex apartment with the potential to change its function, explore our available floorplans and contact us today!