8 Renovations That Will Make Your Home the Ultimate Hangout Spot

If you're like most people, you spend most of your time at home. Even if you prefer to be active outside the home, your house is likely your safe haven from the outside world. It is a space to call yours, so why not make it the most functional for your lifestyle? If you want your house to be the envy of the block, here are just a handful of renovations to make your home the ultimate hangout spot.

1. Pool

Whether you prefer lounging or swimming, a pool can appeal to just about anyone. Pools serve as versatile options for physical activity and a way to cool off in warmer temperatures. They also present a wonderful opportunity for family bonding, and can take a lot of the work out of entertaining when it comes to parties. They come in a variety of styles and can be customized to your design preferences. For example, you can choose a large, rectangular pool fit for optimum swimming practice, or you can choose a style that blends with nature in your backyard. To get started, you can simply search for "pool builders near me."

2. Home Theater

If you or your family loves going to the movies, building a home theater could be the perfect project. Home movie nights can easily be interrupted by noise and outside interruptions, but everyone is more likely to pay attention in a theater environment, and some films were just made for the big screen. You can install comfortable reclining chairs that come with all sorts of features like charging ports or heated seats. If you really want to go the extra mile, throw in a snack bar for convenience and watch everyone get excited for family movie nights.

3. Secret Room

If you've ever salivated over the hidden room behind the bookshelves appearing in a number of movies and television shows, it may be time to include one in your own home. You can go the classic route with a bookshelf, but you can also get more creative. There might be the perfect space for a reading nook under your stairs or hiding behind a closet. You can disguise the door with the same paneling or other materials used throughout the house, or you can pick an unconventional disguise. How about a slide leading to the basement, or a tunnel through an unused fireplace? The room could serve as just about anything, from a playroom to a home office, but the eyes of your guests will fill with wonder regardless.

4. Home Bar

An easy way to make your house the most attractive place to party is to provide alcohol and atmosphere. Take your bar cart up a notch by installing an entire bar complete with comfortable seating and chilled drinks. For some people, it may be more cost effective to add another kitchen area to the home, since the ability to chill, blend, and serve drinks requires quite a few appliances, especially if you don't want to hike to the main kitchen to clean up all the dishes after. Add some mood lighting and snacks, and you've got the complete package. While the man cave may feel like the standard, you can customize the space to fit you. Add a wine fridge instead of a beer cooler, and coordinate the location of your garden if you like to experiment with simple syrups or infused cocktails. If you don't like the idea of televisions in this space, you can add storage for games or other non-electronic activities.

5. Library

In an age of overwhelming technology, you may not have many physical books lying around, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider a home library. This is especially a good idea if you have children, so that they have a space to explore and discover new books. You may not always be able to make a trip to the local library or bookstore, but a wide selection means they never have to be bored. A library also supplies a controlled area for quiet and contemplation, making it a great space to combine with others, like a home office or study.

6. Game Room

A game room is a classic renovation project, and it is also easily one of the most customizable. You can choose the classic pool table and air hockey, but you can also spring for vintage pinball or video game machines. Why not have an area for board games or tabletop roleplaying games? Some gaming tables even come with screens installed, making it even easier to play your favorites. You can dedicate an entire corner to Dungeons and Dragons, complete with wall sconces, maps, and shelves for miniatures. Whatever your tastes, you can bring out the flavors to curate an entirely unique space.

7. Home Office

People are working from home more than ever, so it can help both your mental health and productivity levels to design a functional space. Make sure you have a comfortable chair and up-to-date technology. It may also be a good idea to put the home office away from busy areas of the home. This makes attics and basements ideal contenders, but that guest bedroom can work just as well. Add a coffee bar or even an espresso machine to keep you going, and stocking up on water and snacks can help make sure you have everything you need until your lunch break.

8. Craft Room

If you thrive off of creativity, why not dedicate an entire room to your hobbies? This is a great way to keep all of your tools and materials in one place, and it also gives you the opportunity to get creative with storage options. Collect sources of inspiration and a great light source and you're all but guaranteed to stay occupied for hours.

If your home needs some updating, you've got a lot of great options. Consider how you spend most of your time, or how you'd like to spend your time, and invest accordingly to create something truly unique and functional with your lifestyle.