“Plus Den” means “Plus Dream Room” for some new construction buyers

By Kerrie Kennedy

Contributing writer

The cozy den—long considered the most relaxed room in the home—is taking on a new identity as today’s innovative condominium owners seek to transform it into a specialized sanctuary in the home.

From home libraries to home offices, state-of-the-art media and fitness rooms, guest rooms and music rooms, plus-den means plus-bonus space for many homeowners.

According to Prudential real estate agent Chad Duda, a den is a must for most buyers today, especially if they’re in the market for a one-bedroom condo.

“A lot of people work from home, either full-time or part-time and they want that extra space for an office,” Duda says.

As more and more people work from home, the demand for home offices is expected to rise accordingly. According to report recently released from the National Association of Home Builders, home offices will be among the top five critical features in the home of the future.

While a home office is the most popular use for a den, Duda says a den makes a great TV/media room as well.

“I’ve also seen some buyers put a treadmill and elliptical machine in the den and turn it into a workout room,” Duda says. “Some buyers turn it into a guest room.”

A den, unlike a bedroom—often does not have a closet or a window (both must be present in order to qualify as a bedroom). And unlike a bedroom, the den’s location—usually just off the main living space—makes it ideal for a variety of uses.

At The Waterford Condominium development in northwest suburban Des Plaines, resident Bill Spencer saw something unique for his den. After some creative brainstorming with an interior designer friend, Spencer decided to turn his den into an extension of the kitchen. With high-wall cabinets and wine racks lining the walls, Spencer plans to create a French café-inspired wine room.

“I wanted that Old World French theme,” Spencer said. “A place to have a wine tasting and gather with friends.”

Spencer, the deputy fire chief of Schaumburg, said he also plans to build in a library space with bookcases and a ladder within the wine room/den. The residence is a one-bedroom-plus-den unit with one-and-a-half baths.

Also at The Waterford, resident Jan Granatelli, decided to turn her den into a TV room.

“I can come in, sit down and relax,” Granatelli says. “I don’t want to be in bed lying down, and I don’t like having the TV in the living room.”

Instead of having her 32-inch plasma TV be the center of attention in her living room, the TV is wall-mounted in Granatelli’s den. She made the room her own with pictures on the walls and plants on end tables.

Barbara Ramsey, who lives at the Cambria Condominiums at 1277 E. Thacker in Des Plaines, decided to turn her 12-by-15-foot den into a multi-purpose room.

“While I had a need for a place for company, I also wanted a room to use for my home office,” Ramsey says. “When company wasn’t here, it could be a home office.”

Built-in bookcases and a desk transformed the room into Ramsey’s office; a built-in Murphy bed was added so that in an instant, the room could suddenly be reinvented as a guest room.

According to Duda, new construction buyers should think carefully about what they’re going to use the den for before they buy. That way, they can make choices and ask for upgrades that will work best with their plan. Some of the features to consider include:

—Lighting: Since many dens don’t have windows, the right lighting is crucial. Recessed lighting provides good overall lighting; sconce lighting provides the right mood for a home theater and a chandelier adds a nice touch to a music room.

—French doors: French doors help bring light into a den while also offering protection from sound. If the den is going to be used occasionally as a guest room, inconspicuous window treatments can be added to provide visual privacy.

—Built-ins: Built-in bookshelves will give a home office or library a custom feel. If the den is large enough, a built-in wall closet offers numerous possibilities, including space for media equipment, a place to hide a Murphy bed or even a place to house an entire office.

—Wiring: If you’re using the den as a media room, you’ll probably want surround sound speakers, a large flat-screen TV and a place to house all the equipment. For a home office, you’ll need multiple phone and cable jacks as well as plenty of outlets (maybe even a few at desk height). Knowing your layout ahead of time helps avoid problems later.

—Molding. Crown molding makes just about any room feel richer. If you’re going for an Old World library effect, you may want to also consider more elaborate—and expensive—wainscoting on the walls.

—A gas fireplace is a wonderfully cozy touch for just about any use you have in mind, as long as your den is large enough.

—Paint color. Red might be nice for a media room. Softer muted colors work best for a guest room and warm colors are good for a home office. If the den is small, try painting it the same color as the adjoining room, especially if the two are connected with French doors.