Hallelujah! The sun has finally returned to the East Coast! After what felt like an eternity of rain, its glorious reappearance called for a celebration – specifically, a photo shoot of our newly completed bonus room. While “finished” might be a perpetually fluid term in our home (we’re always finding new ways to tweak and perfect), we’re absolutely thrilled with how this multi-functional family space has come together. We’ve successfully blended vibrant fun with essential function, creating a generous, inviting sanctuary – complete with a giant, irresistible sofa that truly serves as a blissful vortex. Once you settle in, escaping its comfort becomes an impossible mission. But I digress from the main reveal…
For those just joining our home renovation journey and wondering about the origins of this fantastic space, allow us to briefly bring you up to speed. This vibrant bonus room began its life as an unfinished storage area located right above our garage. The transformation was significant, involving meticulous steps to turn a dusty, neglected corner of our home into a dynamic family hub. We previously documented how we completed the initial structural work on this room over the garage, then detailed the process of designing and installing custom built-ins and floating shelves to maximize storage and aesthetic appeal around a cozy window niche. Finally, we shared our clever approach to creating a sleek, wire-free spot for the TV, ensuring a clean and modern look. It’s genuinely hard to believe that just a few months ago, in January, this vibrant space looked vastly different, resembling a forgotten attic.
Designing a Dynamic Multi-Functional Family Retreat
Our primary vision for this room was to create a space that felt genuinely fun, irresistibly casual, and supremely functional for our entire family. As our kids grow, we’ve increasingly recognized the immense value of having a dedicated, contained play area (one with a door, unlike our open-plan living room!). Furthermore, a shared upstairs play space, separate from their individual bedrooms, provides a welcome alternative for collective activities. However, we’ve consciously avoided labeling it solely as a “playroom” because its utility extends far beyond just children’s activities. This bonus room gracefully transforms into an ideal setting for family movie nights, effortlessly accommodates overflow guests with its comfortable sleeping arrangements, and even offers a quiet, peaceful sanctuary for us grown-ups to slip away and indulge in some uninterrupted reading. And yes, that door, a truly unsung hero, is undeniably one of my favorite features, offering privacy and peace when needed.
Having already touched upon key elements like the integrated TV wall and the custom-built storage and display shelves, today we’ll unveil the full picture and fill in the remaining details. We’ve thoughtfully designed this space around four primary functional “zones,” each catering to different family activities and needs:
- A dedicated arts & crafts desk
- The expansive “Mega-Sofa” and TV area
- A whimsical dress-up corner
- Efficient wall-to-wall storage & versatile floating shelves
The Creative Hub: Kids’ Art & Crafts Desk
Let’s dive into the first zone: the kids’ art desk. It seems our children have an innate desire for an art station on every floor of the house, because this spot, much like its downstairs counterpart, is constantly bustling with creative energy. It has quickly become their go-to destination first thing in the morning, even before we make our way downstairs for breakfast. This delightful setup has, quite unbelievably, made the elusive morning shower less of a dream and more of a consistent reality for us. Talk about a parenting win! We’re absolutely #winning with this functional art haven.
The desk and chairs themselves were truly a stroke of luck, the most fortunate hand-me-downs we’ve ever acquired. When our wonderful neighbor heard we were embarking on building a bonus room above our garage, much like hers, she generously offered us her Pottery Barn Kids desk and chairs, which her grandchildren had outgrown. These pieces are not only perfectly sized but the chairs, with their charming spindle backs, beautifully echo the style of our painted spindle-back chairs downstairs, creating a cohesive design element. The vibrant artwork adorning this corner is by the incredibly talented Cat Coquillette, whose intricate and colorful pieces with captivating subjects we absolutely adore. We’ve selected her serpent, llamas, and narwhals prints for this space, but her collection also includes delightful designs like donuts, cicadas, and even a venus fly trap.
To keep the art supplies organized and easily accessible, we repurposed Ikea wooden spice racks. We gave them a fresh coat of white paint and then added a charming touch of green to the front bar, a subtle detail that beautifully ties them into the color scheme of the chairs. What’s truly remarkable is that this green paint was actually leftover touch-up paint from our dining room buffet, and it turned out to be an almost impossibly close match to the green chairs – a delightful coincidence that saved us a trip to the paint store!
The clear plastic cups holding pencils, crayons, markers, and various other art essentials were sourced from Target. Finding containers that were perfectly sized to fit within the spice racks proved to be a bit of a creative challenge. Our breakthrough came when we realized a small soup can fit perfectly, which then became our crucial reference point when scouring store aisles. Anything bigger than the soup can? No deal! And, I must admit, I secretly enjoyed making Sherry tote around a chicken noodle can in her purse during our shopping expeditions – a rather unique, yet effective, measuring tool.
The Whimsical Butterfly Wall
Now, let’s talk about the butterflies. OH, THE BUTTERFLIES! This enchanting wall display was an idea that Sherry had mentally tucked away after we moved some butterfly and bird pillows from our guest room into this space. The catalyst that truly brought this vision to life was stumbling upon these delicate feather butterflies on clearance at Pottery Barn Kids. Unfortunately, even before they arrived at our doorstep, they had already sold out, but fear not! There are numerous delightful alternatives available on Etsy, such as these charming options or these equally beautiful ones.
To achieve the perfect arrangement, we initially mapped out the butterfly pattern on the wall using post-it tabs. This ingenious method allowed us to easily move and adjust each “butterfly” until we found the general shape and density that we loved most. Once satisfied with the layout, we systematically replaced the post-its with the actual butterflies, fine-tuning their positions as we went along. Each butterfly came equipped with a small 3M adhesive circle at the end of a bendable wire. The 3M adhesive makes them conveniently removable, and the bendable wire is a fantastic feature because it allows for subtle adjustments in their position even after they’ve been placed. This wire also adds a lovely three-dimensional quality, making the butterflies appear to gently float a little away from the wall, adding depth and whimsy to the entire display.
The Mega-Sofa & Entertainment Zone: Unrivaled Comfort
If you were to spin around from the art desk, your gaze would immediately fall upon the heart of the entertainment zone. Here, you’ll discover our large, patterned rug (you can find more details on its selection here), our neatly wall-mounted TV (we opted for this particular model and detailed how we ingeniously concealed all the wires here), and the star of the show: our incredibly cozy “Mega Sofa-Thing.” That’s what we affectionately call it, anyway. In reality, it’s a brilliant assembly of three Ikea Kivik chaises that we’ve cleverly attached together using the small clamps they come with for secure connection. And let me tell you, this creation has undeniably become our new favorite spot in the entire house – a true haven for relaxation and family togetherness.
Initially, we considered relocating our living room sofa, an Ikea Karlstad, to this bonus room and purchasing a brand new one for downstairs. However, given that we still have a few more years of navigating snacks, sticky fingers, and inevitable spills in our primary living area, it felt somewhat impractical to upgrade that sofa just yet. Since our Karlstad has admirably held up over the past five years, we didn’t hesitate to turn to Ikea again for a durable and family-friendly solution. When we spotted a trio of Kivik chaises artfully arranged together in one of their catalogs, we immediately realized it presented the perfect solution for our spacious bonus room, promising both comfort and ample seating. We selected the “gray-brown” slipcover, and we absolutely adore its versatile hue and inviting texture. It’s so appealing, it almost makes us wish we could swap out our dark gray slipcover in the living room for something similar, but alas, our beloved Karlstad is no longer in production (whyyyyyyyyyy?).
Even in its relatively short tenure in our home, the “Mega Sofa-Thing” has already played host to countless family movie nights and no fewer than four spirited sleepovers. As you might recall, a significant motivation for finishing this room was that several of our out-of-town friends found their growing broods outgrowing the capacity of our guest room. Happily, this mega-couch effortlessly transforms into a practical “guest bed” with the simple addition of a sheet, a cozy blanket, and a few pillows, providing a comfortable and convenient sleeping solution. However, I must confess, I’m probably the person who has logged the most Zzz’s on it to date. It has become my indispensable go-to spot on weekend mornings when the kids, with their boundless energy, decide to wake us up before I’m quite ready to officially seize the day. You know, those mornings when I’m more in the mood to “Zzzzzs the day” instead.
To complete the cozy ambiance, we installed dark curtain rods sourced from Home Depot and purchased these elegant ivory curtains in the generous 95-inch length, ensuring full coverage and a sophisticated drape. After “borrowing” the lovely bird and butterfly pillow shams that were originally intended for our guest room (they perfectly match the butterfly wall!), we added two smaller neutral pillows with vibrant orange piping, which introduce a subtle pop of color and texture to the sofa ensemble.
The Imaginative Dress-Up Corner
Tucked neatly in the corner behind the expansive couch, adjacent to the built-ins, lies our whimsical dress-up corner. Our ever-growing collection of costumes, capes, wonderfully weird hats, firefighter suits, and even a unique vet tech outfit (yes, we genuinely own one of those!) had long since outgrown its bin in the downstairs toy closet. This dedicated corner felt like the ideal, most practical, and most enchanting spot for them. And it’s been truly amazing to witness how much more use these imaginative garments are getting now that they’re openly displayed and easily accessible. My Saturday morning post-wake-up nap is now often delightfully interrupted by a plastic crown or a miniature cowboy hat finding its way onto my unsuspecting skull, a testament to the corner’s magnetic appeal for imaginative play.
The practical yet stylish baskets, along with the striking blue inlay floor mirror, were fantastic finds from HomeGoods (originally $429, marked down to an incredible $199!). This mirror, I believe, might just be the secret weapon behind “The Resurgence Of Dressing Up” in our household. There’s truly nothing quite like gazing at your own reflection, complete with a shark hat perched comically on your head, to ignite the spark of imaginative play and make a costume feel truly complete!
To further enhance this dress-up haven, we also created a convenient spot to hang costumes and accessories using some of the unique doorknob hooks that we personally designed. Above these hooks, we proudly hung a truly special piece of artwork: a custom creation made from a collection of Clara’s charming old “recipes.” We simply snapped photos of her handwritten culinary masterpieces with our phone, utilized Photoshop to perfectly size and arrange them into a cohesive design, and then had it printed as an affordable $1.79 engineering print at Staples. It’s a wonderful, personal touch that celebrates her creativity.
It’s a little challenging to fully appreciate in the picture above, but I absolutely adore that Clara’s recipe for a hamburger involves only the toppings (no actual burger specified!) and delightfully concludes with a triumphant “ta-da!” It’s as if the entire process is a magical, meat-related trick, culminating in a grand reveal. Such charming details are what make this space truly unique and reflective of our family’s personality.
Smart Storage Solutions & Thoughtful Toy Organization
Speaking of “stuff,” we didn’t really invest in a lot of brand-new toys for this bonus room. Our strategy was much more sustainable and effective: we simply relocated existing toys into this dedicated space, which has surprisingly led to them getting significantly more action and communal use. For instance, the play kitchen, which once resided somewhat hidden in Teddy’s closet, now enjoys a prominent spot here, encouraging more interactive play. We also strategically split our giant Duplo stash, ensuring that these versatile building blocks can be enjoyed both upstairs in the bonus room and downstairs, preventing clutter and maximizing play opportunities in both areas. The lower cabinets integrated into our built-ins have proven invaluable, making puzzles and various kids’ games much more accessible than they were on the higher toy closet shelves downstairs. We’re particularly pleased that this room didn’t become an excuse to accumulate ALL THE TOYS (although, with two recent birthdays, we did see a slight influx!). It’s a testament to thoughtful organization and repurposing.
The Impact of Our Family Bonus Room Transformation
Overall, it has been genuinely surprising how quickly this bonus room became an incredibly useful and cherished space, flawlessly fulfilling all of its intended functions: a vibrant play zone, a relaxing retreat, a dedicated TV room, a comfortable guest sleeping area, and even a stage for imaginative scenarios like “Burger pretending he’s camping.” Its completion has had a profound impact, making our entire upstairs area feel significantly more cohesive and truly finished. Well, assuming you don’t scrutinize the bathrooms too closely, of course… (some projects are always ongoing!).
So, let’s wrap up this joyous post with a nostalgic memory lane montage. Imagine these photos scrolling by with some slow, soul-stirring music playing in the background – you know, something with that classic Adele-esque melancholic beauty. Here’s a poignant look back at what the end of our upstairs hall proudly looks like now, a testament to dedication and design:
But we mustn’t forget the humble beginnings. This was the view that greeted us way back when we first bought the house: (“I heeeeaarrrrddd…”)
… with this utterly unfinished, forgotten space hiding just behind it. A true blank canvas awaiting its destiny. (“….that you’re….setttlledddd downnn…”)
Which, through painstaking effort and creative vision, now looks like this from the inviting new doorway at the very end of our hallway: a vibrant, bustling hub of family life. (“…that you…found a girrrl…and you’re…married now-ow-ow”)
Now, if you’ll kindly excuse me. I may or may not have some extremely important sprawling out to do on a certain trio of immensely comfortable chaises. The call of the Mega Sofa-Thing is truly irresistible!
Psst – We’ve finally updated our current house’s before & after pics gallery to include this fantastic new room and a few newer versions of some other recently refreshed spaces. Additionally, you can find out all of our paint colors and where we sourced various items for each room here, providing a comprehensive guide to our home’s style.
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