It’s a national trend. Americans are “nesting”: i.e., remodeling their homes with custom-built, luxury home entertainment spaces – and the lower level is the new frontier. One of our firm’s recent projects is a good illustration.

The owners, a retired businessman and his wife, wanted to convert their home’s lower level into a series of specialized rooms, or “activity zones”: a billiard room with a wet bar, a media center with a large flat screen TV, a fitness facility, a home office, and a designated reception area for entertaining.

The basement had a total of 2,400 square feet of space; the ceilings were 9 feet high.

What a delight thinking it all through.

Billiard Room and Wet Bar
The billiard table was given center stage with a dramatic hanging pool-table light fixture. The wet bar was outfitted with a sink, icemaker, refrigerator and a granite counter top. The back bar features glass shelves mounted on espresso wall paneling, as well as two backlit translucent EcoResin panels (www.3-form.com) embedded with bamboo grass.

Guests may be served on a 15-foot custom bar made of dark espresso wood, topped by a cantilevered glass surface. Hand-blown glass pendants shine from above. One may also observe the billiard game and enjoy a cocktail while perched on a swank bar stool.

Along one wall, a ledge provides a convenient resting place for drinks. Soft mood lighting creates an evocative downtown atmosphere. The bar area’s stone floor tile is attractive, while the neutral carpeting – with its subtle circle pattern – adds a touch of unobtrusive whimsy.

Media Center
The media center – just off the billiard room area – is furnished with a large leather sectional, perfect for small gatherings or quiet naps. There’s a low stone coffee table for drinks and popcorn.

The center’s aesthetic focus is a wall of wood paneling, which houses a recessed flat screen TV and custom-designed sound system.  The “brains” of the room – a rack of high-end media equipment – is concealed in a closet in the adjacent fitness facility.

Next to the media center, an alcove with a stone fireplace provides a cozy retreat for reading. The alcove is accentuated by stone paving and floor-to-ceiling drapery. 

Fitness Room
There’s a state-of-the-art workout facility just inside the frosted-glass door. The flooring is “Plynyl,” a soft covering made for health clubs. Meanwhile, a mirrored wall visually expands a space given over to treadmills and weight machines. Built-in lockers with cubbies provide storage; a nearby exit leads to an expansive swimming pool with a patio. The centrally located guest bathroom includes a large shower with a frameless glass enclosure; the walls are clad in natural stone tile.

Home Office
Since life is not all play, a new home office was needed on the lower level.  With its built-in bookcases, conference table, custom workstations and large storage closet, the office rivals any well-appointed commercial space. It even offers lounge seating.

Reception Area
The home’s staircase curves gently as it descends to the lower level, ending at the new oval reception room. Large stone tiles set in a diagonal pattern follow the oval shape, which is repeated in the custom oval drywall ceiling design. A wall niche with artwork and a decorative hanging light fixture are among the design elements that enhance the oval shape. 

An all-purpose work-and-play area. The owners say they can be found here at least half the time in any given day.