The Home Design 'Specialty Space' Trend That Is Taking Over New Homes

Remember the way the red room constantly changed its face in the "Haunting of Hill House?" It turned into a treehouse, dance studio, game area, and library to give the house's inhabitants a safe space of their own. The specialty space trend that's taking over new homes follows a similar theme, although there's nothing magical or sinister about it. To delve into the home design concept, House Digest spoke exclusively with Mary Peters, the founder and CEO of Sasquatch Contracting. She explained, "We're seeing a desire for designated spaces from our clients. They don't want open space as much as carved out nooks that serve a purpose and segregate activities."

Explaining the rationale behind the trend's popularity, Peters said, "I think COVID changed the way we live in our homes. Instead of thinking about future occupants and keeping floor plans open for general use, homeowners are rooting in and curating their homes to fit their interests." In other words, specialty spaces are perfect for homeowners who'd enjoy the comforts of a bespoke space and want to avoid an open floor plan. Plus, such areas come with other benefits, too. "I think it's important to emphasize that special spaces are functional spaces, and can help enhance your focus," said Peters. "The classic example here is a home office, but the same can be said for a puzzle room, a packaging room, or a meditation room." Moreover, she elaborated that everyone gets to enjoy their favorite activities without worrying about unnecessary disruptions. "Families and roommates can live more harmoniously with special spaces built-in," she said. But how can you apply it to your home?

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to specialty spaces. Seconding this, Peters mentioned in her exclusive chat with House Digest, "Nothing is 'typical' about specialty spaces, as they are designed based on a person's interests and needs." Think of them as an empty area waiting for you to breathe life into it with your preferred theme or activity. For instance, you could turn them into a tasting room for wines, whiskey, or cigars in case you host often. Similarly, morning rooms are ideal for people who enjoy basking in the sun's glow. "Typically located near a primary bedroom, morning rooms can be quite small, flooded with natural light, and secluded so you can enjoy your coffee or tea, read the news, and wake up," said Peters. A collection room will help you display your trinkets proudly whereas an internal herb garden will delight home chefs. Individuals running a business from their home will benefit from a packaging room.

Although each space will be tailored to the homeowner, Peters disclosed a few common themes: "Sound proofing is something that comes up for various reasons, be it video gaming, a practice room for musicians, or a podcast recording space, which we are seeing more demand for." However, is it worth it to invest your time, money, and energy in such spaces if you'll be moving soon? Peters iterated, "If a homeowner invests in a special space for themselves, and then moves, the new occupant may find charm in the unique space and be inspired to use it themselves, or renovate it to better fit into their own lifestyle and interests."

The first thing you need to do is determine the purpose of your specialty space, such as a custom walk-in closet. Then, locate the area or room for it. Drawing from her experience, Peters shared in her House Digest exclusive, "We renovated a closet to a dry bar, and it worked really well." Use unusual areas to your advantage to make the most of the available space (remember Harry Potter's room under the stairs?). "Think outside of the box and find potential in any extra space, like under-stair storage spaces that can become adorable reading nooks or a life-size dollhouse for a child," she said. Worried about a cramped specialty space? Invest in a stylish furniture item that instantly makes a room look larger. In case the available square footage is not an issue, go thrifting and pick a few beautiful pieces for your room.

Moreover, if you're thinking of giving your kids some instruments, be kind to your ears and soundproof your room. You also want to think about lighting: "If you are using artificial light, use daylight light bulbs for study rooms and offices, and use soft/warm whites for dining rooms and other shared spaces." Peters recommended getting spotlights to showcase your trinkets. Conversely, "Using strip lighting in baseboards adds a cool 'wow factor' to game rooms, recording rooms, and theatres." Another basic requirement of a specialty space is paint; our expert suggested painting this area in one color for added intimacy. The sheen matters, too. "Consider using high gloss paint to give the space a high-end feel," she concluded.