The only thing more depressing than a dark basement is a beige on beige basement in the Pacific Northwest. With the global pandemic raging on, my clients were looking to add extra livable space in their home with a home office and workout studio. Our goal was to make this space feel like you're connected to nature and fun social activities that were once a main part of our lives. We used color, naturescapes and soft textures to turn this basement from bland beige to fun, warm and inviting.

A Kitchenette complete with paneled half refrigerator, drawer dishwasher, ice maker, trash bin and storage.
Example of a small transitional single-wall kitchen design in Grand Rapids with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and stone slab backsplash

In 2023, spoga+gafa in Cologne once again confirmed its relevance as the world's largest garden lifestyle and BBQ trade fair and further expanded its position as the leading international trade and networking platform for the green industry. The uniting strength of gardens has hardly ever been as important as today. They bring people together, regardless of their origin, status or beliefs. Social Gardens begin where gardening, plants or relaxing outdoors become social interaction. They promote the community, health and regeneration and create an awareness for the natural environment. With its key theme Social Gardens, spoga+gafa 2023 is focusing on gardens, balconies and terraces as connecting, diverse and sustainable places of encounter. HIGOLD's team decorated the exhibition as a garden. The HIGOLD team decorated the exhibition as a garden, bringing together a lot of elite people interested in outdoor furniture, and we talked about the idea of outdoor furniture. This applies more than ever today after two years of pandemic and in the face of the current global political situation. As a place of joint retreat gardens and green spaces in general are gaining more and more significance. They offer a place of refuge for recovering from the fast-paced everyday routine and bring people together. Outdoor furniture is essential in garden style,they allow us to stay in the garden and enjoy free talking time.Every outdoor furniture has thereby a social and interactive quality in addition to its functional and creative characteristics.Indeed, the social interaction is what actually lends a garden its own special magic: The garden hosepipe or the sprinkler the children play with in the sun; the outdoor lounge suite the family relaxes on together; the raised flowerbed the neighbours all jointly use to plant vegetables or the grill used for having a BBQ with friends.

Example of a family room design in Denver

Example of a transitional living room design in Grand Rapids

Designed to be a legacy and space where great family memories could be created, OBMI completed the master planning, landscape, interior design, and architecture of the holistic residential Longtail House project. A modern home wrapped in the classic Bermudian style, it’s comprised of 4 bedrooms with in-suite bathrooms including a master suite and a guest apartment. A Great Room combines all family social activity in one space, with an incorporated living room, dining room, and kitchen. Close by is the Library-Music Room, Media Room, Home Office, back of house kitchen support and laundry. Below the Great Room are the Game Room and the wine cellar, which can be observed from above through a glass floor. There is a large garage for vehicles and various sporting items. At the front of the house, overlooking the ocean is the infinity pool, spa, and gardens with endemic shoreline plants. The previous house on the property site was carefully disassembled and recycled as exemplified by the existing cedar wood floors, which were repurposed as entrance ceilings. Even garden plants were recycled where possible. The biggest challenge was during excavation. With a lot of hard rock present, it took several weeks to cut through. Once the foundation level was achieved, all work went smoothly. The house has a strong emphasis on respecting and nurturing the environment, with igloo nests situated at the edge of the cliffs for Longtail seabirds to repose. The layout was set so as to maximize the best sun orientation for the solar panels and for natural cooling from the offshore breezes to occur.

Example of a transitional home design design in Boston

Transitional home design photo in Boston

Game room designed as an intimate social hub, featuring a custom table for card games and domino, complemented by a fully integrated bar, wine storage, and a TV lounge for a refined, lounge-like atmosphere.

Game Room
Inspiration for a transitional family room remodel in Other

The game room is designed for both lively entertainment and relaxed evenings. Bright windows fill the space with natural light during the day, highlighting the room’s thoughtful details, while rich, darker blue walls create a cozy, intimate atmosphere for nighttime gatherings. A sleek mini bar adds functionality and style, making it easy to host friends and enjoy refreshments without leaving the room. The balance of light and dark, combined with a layout geared for fun and socializing, makes this game room a versatile and inviting retreat for any occasion.

Transitional bathroom photo in Boston

In 2023, spoga+gafa in Cologne once again confirmed its relevance as the world's largest garden lifestyle and BBQ trade fair and further expanded its position as the leading international trade and networking platform for the green industry. The uniting strength of gardens has hardly ever been as important as today. They bring people together, regardless of their origin, status or beliefs. Social Gardens begin where gardening, plants or relaxing outdoors become social interaction. They promote the community, health and regeneration and create an awareness for the natural environment. With its key theme Social Gardens, spoga+gafa 2023 is focusing on gardens, balconies and terraces as connecting, diverse and sustainable places of encounter. HIGOLD's team decorated the exhibition as a garden. The HIGOLD team decorated the exhibition as a garden, bringing together a lot of elite people interested in outdoor furniture, and we talked about the idea of outdoor furniture. This applies more than ever today after two years of pandemic and in the face of the current global political situation. As a place of joint retreat gardens and green spaces in general are gaining more and more significance. They offer a place of refuge for recovering from the fast-paced everyday routine and bring people together. Outdoor furniture is essential in garden style,they allow us to stay in the garden and enjoy free talking time.Every outdoor furniture has thereby a social and interactive quality in addition to its functional and creative characteristics.Indeed, the social interaction is what actually lends a garden its own special magic: The garden hosepipe or the sprinkler the children play with in the sun; the outdoor lounge suite the family relaxes on together; the raised flowerbed the neighbours all jointly use to plant vegetables or the grill used for having a BBQ with friends.

THE SETUP When we first encountered this basement for a family with three boys, we saw a space with untapped potential. Though previously remodeled, it lacked a cohesive design strategy. The expansive area housed various entertainment pieces (a shuffleboard table, air hockey, foosball, etc.) scattered haphazardly throughout the space. While the basement included a workout room and a rudimentary kitchen area, it lacked a dedicated game room or proper bar. Excessive storage closets along the back wall consumed valuable real estate that could be repurposed for more engaging uses. In essence, the basement was spacious but disjointed—functional for family use but falling short as an entertainment hub. It didn’t align with the sophistication of the rest of the home. Our clients envisioned a transformation: a fresh, organized space that would not only serve their family’s needs but also shine as an inviting arena for entertaining friends and hosting gatherings – especially sports-focused gatherings! Design Objectives: Reimagine the basement layout, creating distinct zones for varied activities. Expand the workout area to accommodate new equipment, including a Smith machine. Implement a multi-screen setup inspired by high-end sports bars, allowing guests to follow multiple games while socializing. Enhance existing features while developing new areas: Optimize a workout space for all equipment needs Establish a dedicated children’s space with guest room capabilities Create an integrated bar and entertainment area Retain and incorporate the existing projector setup Design Challenges: Navigate layout constraints in the new workout room due to fixed utility areas. Carve out a distinct space for kids within the open plan. Revitalize an underutilized section of the basement. Elevate the existing big screen area with purposeful design elements. Develop a full-fledged bar area while maintaining kitchen functions applicable for hangout snacking. Work around immovable structural elements (soffits, load-bearing support columns) THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Install a stylish barn door for the utility area of the new workout space, improving aesthetics and accessibility. Repurpose the former workout room into a dedicated game room for kids, utilizing couches with pull-out beds so the area can double as overflow guest accommodations. Transform the unused area into a vibrant pub-style area for card and table games. Enhance the big screen area with elegant wainscoting and ambient theatre-style lighting. Design a multi-functional wet bar area featuring varied seating, prep areas, and a microwave. Base the bar sink area width off the soffit above it. In the big screen area, use the soffit to inform the width of a wainscoting section. For the immovable support columns, dress one up to match the wainscoting of the nearby big screen wall. Hide the other one in a new wall. Final Thoughts: The reimagined basement has exceeded our clients’ expectations, evolving into the ultimate entertainment hub. With seven strategically placed screens, it’s perfect for gatherings focused on major sporting events and casual gatherings, as well. The space strikes a balance between adult sophistication and family-friendly functionality, featuring distinct zones for various activities. The new design not only maximizes functionality for modern, multi-screen entertainment but also elevates the aesthetic appeal. It integrates flawlessly with the rest of the home’s transitional style while allowing each basement section to maintain its unique character. The result is a versatile space that caters to both intimate family time and large-scale entertaining.

Family room - transitional family room idea in Boston

Example of a trendy family room design in London

Transitional sunroom photo in Boston

Instead of bringing the outdoors in, this sun room brings the indoors out. A large sectional sofa, comfy chairs, and lots of pillows create the perfect place to lounge with a good book or play board games with friends during the warm summer days. A classic wood table and chairs add a touch of a rustic feeling while making the sun room the perfect place for family to gather for a meal. This outdoor room is now the number one spot in the house.

Instead of bringing the outdoors in, this sun room brings the indoors out. A large sectional sofa, comfy chairs, and lots of pillows create the perfect place to lounge with a good book or play board games with friends during the warm summer days. A classic wood table and chairs add a touch of a rustic feeling while making the sun room the perfect place for family to gather for a meal. This outdoor room is now the number one spot in the house.