Flex rooms adjust with your ever evolving life

If you’ve looked at floor plans of late, you may have noticed an area designated as a flex room. Just as it sounds, a flex room is an open space that is completely flexible. Use it for a game room, an office, a playroom, a theater room … whatever you need. With people spending more time in their homes, it makes sense a multifunctional room has become a top design trend, according to the National Association of Realtors®. 

A flex room is more than just a den serving as a makeshift guest room — although that works, too. On a floor plan, it’s the area with no defining factors such as a kitchen would. Thus, as your circumstances change, you can simply switch out the furnishings and it’s ready for a new purpose. 

Home gym

If your gym membership is sitting idly in your wallet because you can’t get yourself out the door, designate the room specifically for your exercise equipment. A stationary bike, treadmill or weight bench is less intrusive if it doesn’t stand next to your couch. Following an online kickboxing class? Much easier when you don’t need to worry about crashing into a coffee table. 

Playroom

A fully stocked play kitchen, buckets of stuffed animals, Legos — how do you keep it all under control? Design your flex room to be a playroom. All the toys stay in there, keeping the plastic and fur explosion contained. Add some built-in bookshelves for the bedtime story collection and you won’t need to worry about toppling furniture. Instead of a standard door, install French or sliding doors so you can keep an eye on the kids while they’re at play. When your friends stop by, you can close the door to the theater of operations.

Home office

While sticking a desk in the corner of a bedroom works as a home office, it doesn’t exactly allow for a separation of work and sleep. Turn your flex room into a comfortable work-from-home station with a place for your computer, printer and paperwork. You can close the door for Zoom calls and when the workday is over.

Craft room

Know why you don’t like wrapping gifts? Because you have to dig out the paper, find the tape and scissors … and then clear off a counter for a cutting board. Know why you quit sewing? Because you had to dig out your machine, find the thread and scissors … and clear off a table to set it all up. Know why you gave up making homemade cards? Because … you can see where we’re going here. Learn to love all your crafting activities again by making your flex room a crafter’s paradise. Add a large workbench, shelving and hooks for all your supplies. 

Second living room

As your children grow older, they tend to want a bit of privacy when hanging out with friends. Turn your flex space into a second living room, where they can loudly play games and watch movies in the safety of your home. Choose comfortable couches and cushy floor pillows to accommodate a boisterous group. Meanwhile, you can still watch your latest binge show in the other family room. 

Game room

If you like to play pool, pingpong, or foosball — and don’t particularly like hanging out in the dusty garage when it’s 95 degrees — make your bonus room into a game room. Prefer board games, cards or puzzles? Set up a solid table and some comfy chairs. You’ll be ready to start playing as soon as you convince someone to join you.

Build-a-room

Really, the design possibilities for your flex room are endless. Use it as a nursery, then a bedroom, then a reading nook. Or a guest room, then a music room, then a media room. Choose whichever type of room that best fits your lifestyle, knowing you can update how you use the space as your family changes. 

Find a new place to live that will fit your situation on KSL Homes. Want something more custom? Learn about hiring a contractor on our Resources page.