Is an Upstairs Rec Room Right for You?

Recreation room, game room, playroom – no matter what you call it, having a room in your home specifically set aside to gather and hang out is great if you love getting together with family and friends. While traditionally many homeowners invest in basement finishing to create a casual living space, often including things like a fireplace, bar area, pool or ping-pong table, and movie-viewing area, many homes lack a basement. There are a lot of benefits to doing a rec room on the main level of your home, or even the upper floor, whether you have a basement or not.

• Increased appraisal values. Because basement rec rooms are below grade, they don’t tend to appraise at the same value as the rest of the house. However, when the rec room is on the main level or upper floor, where it will have more exterior windows, it’s more likely to receive a higher appraisal value.
• Better aesthetics. Basements often have cinder block walls, bare concrete floors, exposed, low-hanging ductwork, and unattractive acoustical ceiling tiles. It can take a bit of effort to camouflage these components and make them more aesthetically pleasing. If you instead focus on an unused room on the main floor, such as a dining room, or take advantage of unused roof space, you will have more flexibility and be able to work with a broader range of materials.
• Fewer worries and better light. One big disadvantage of putting your rec room in the basement is there’s less natural light and always the small possibility that flooding could occur. However, if you build your rec room on the main level or upper floor, there will be much more natural light and a higher chance it will stay dry, which results in a more pleasant atmosphere.

Interested in a Rec Room Remodel?

Our clients who build rec rooms love the results! If you want to create this type of space in your home, call Callen today at 414-867-2207 or complete our online form.