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Make Your Empty-Nest Years Fabulously Fun!

Whether you fall into the category of recent empty nester or know that your last child is moving out soon, you will soon realize your everyday life is about to change.

A thought might be to sell your home and downsize, or move closer to work or to a favorite vacation spot. But what about staying put and considering a remodel? It will allow you to invest in making your current home the dream space you have always desired.You will get to enjoy the new look of your home and appreciate the boost in value (financial, social and emotional) it will bring. When things settle down you may want to consider all the positives that come with having more time and fewer responsibilities. Here are four fun ideas to get you started:

Remodel Your Kitchen for Entertaining
Entertaining is big for empty nesters. It doesn’t get much better than hanging out with friends around a new kitchen island or enjoying an indoor-outdoor space that flows well together to accommodate a larger group. A kitchen remodel also lets you revamp your outdated kitchen and add professional-grade appliances you need to take your culinary skills to the next level. Your kitchen options may include: double ovens, center island, expanded storage space, open shelving, apron sink and more. The ROI in the Bay Area for a kitchen remodel stands at approximately 88 percent, making this a smart move for an empty nester.

Create a Hobby Room to Reflect Your Interests

After spending so many years getting your children ready for adult life, now is the time to focus on your own goals. A hobby room allows you to express your personality, work on personal projects or just have fun, and the options can be incredibly diverse. You may love scrapbooking, sewing or painting. What about an exercise room or home yoga studio? You could also create a quiet space where you can read, meditate or journal. Or create a home theatre complete with a big-screen television and audio system and start inviting friends over for those big games or cultural events.

Update Your Master Bedroom into a Luxurious Suite

Changing your bedroom into a suite lets you create a luxurious space. It may involve taking down a wall to create one larger room, or simpler changes may be appropriate to create a suite with bathroom and walk-in closet. A soaking tub, sauna, king-sized bed are a few options. Instead of having to worry about myriads of travel plans, you can now enjoy your luxurious suite.

Make Space for a Multi-Purpose Home Office

If you have a large unused bedroom, consider converting it into a multi-purpose home office. Telecommuting for work is becoming the norm and is an opportunity to set your own hours, control the pace while giving you greater freedom. You may also find that a home office helps you become more productive because there are fewer workplace distractions.

With 48 percent of homes in the Bay Area built before 1948, the need to upgrade a home for safety and comfort by adding space and modern amenities goes without saying. So, it helps to be mindful of the upside when your last child leaves the nest. A remodel will boost your home’s value and, most importantly, create the opportunity for more fun and greater comfort during your empty-nest years.