When it comes to building a dream home, elegant great rooms, tricked-out kitchens and luxurious bathrooms top of the wishlists. But in Utah Valley, where large families and love of home preside in abundance, playrooms are also must-haves. Whether a cozy home theatre or a regulation basketball court, these playful rooms offer plenty of opportunity for extracurriculars.
Game Time
These dedicated amusement spaces make even monopoly seem stylish. In Saratoga Springs, a cozy den features a long walnut table and built-in benches that offer seating for the whole family. A neutral white palette and generous lighting brighten the lower-level rooms, while pops of color deliver an energizing boost. A Lehi home’s space caters to an older crowd, featuring a professional pool table and accompanying bar area. Dark hues and wood cabinetry cast a mature tone to the adult-friendly area. In other houses, even the virtual gamers receive a well-designed playspace—complete with multiple screens and stylish lounge chairs.
Athletes Welcome
Whether training for an upcoming match or simply blowing off steam, an in-home fitness area is a must-have for active homeowners. Several Utah Valley homes feature regulation basketball courts, including an Orem build with a court dedicated to the nearby BYU Cougars team. Other recreation spaces offer viewing windows from top floors, and discrete entrances from the basement level. For golf fans, homes in Highland and Alpine include high-tech golf simulators. Surrounding leather club chairs and cream sofas emulate a clubhouse feel with elevated style.
Child’s Play
A home within a home: Detailed children’s playhouses were the name of the game this year. Several creative builders channeled their inner child when designing playful areas in surprising spaces. Take a manor in Mapleton, for example. It transformed a typically ignored area beneath the stairs into a whimsical cottage. A Saratoga Springs home features a jungle-themed sitting room complete with monkey bars and a climbing wall, while a home in Highland blended a youthful playhouse into an all-ages entertainment room. The custom built house gains a sense of charm with sleek black trim and floral window boxes.
Cinematic Experience
If there were one persistent trend among the Utah Valley Parade of Homes, it was the presence of in-home theaters. In an Alpine home, a sparkling dropped ceiling and chic leather recliners suggest a movie night under the stars. Another Alpine build channels a classic cinema feel with floor-length movie curtains and oval sconces. The accompanying cream sectional and colorful box stolls add a bohemian flair to the cozy space. A theater in a Mapleton home features teal walls, traditional wall paneling and tiered floors that ensure optimal viewing from any seat.
Don’t miss your chance to see these playful rooms in action. The Utah Valley Parade of Homes ends on June 18th.