Bonus rooms give buyers a chance to flex their creativity

Three area homebuilders — Lexington Homes, J. Lawrence Homes and Smykal Associates — are flexing a little muscle to carve out extra flex space in their floor plans at new-construction townhouse and single-family-home communities throughout the suburbs.

"Having a bonus area is a great way to maximize value in your home because the space can adapt as your family’s needs change," said Jeff Benach, co-principal of Lexington Homes, the builder for the Willow Place townhouse community in Wheeling. "Especially today with so many families being affected by the economy, extra bonus space offers a great deal of flexibility for people experiencing transitions in their lifestyle."

For example, Lexington Homes offers the 2,157-square-foot Hickory floor plan at Willow Place. The Hickory is an end unit featuring a loft in addition to a main level master suite, two additional guest bedrooms upstairs on the upper level, and 2 1/2 baths.

"For buyers starting up a home-based business, the bright and airy loft creates an inviting office away from the main living areas," Benach said. "For families who have kids living at home after college or between jobs, the loft expands the everyday living space upstairs to provide more room for the whole family."

Located on the south side of Wheeling at Foster and Old Willow roads, Willow Place offers two floor plans ranging from 1,858 to 2,157 square feet. Base priced from $261,490 to $312,990, the three-story homes come standard with three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and attached two-car garages. All homes at Willow Place include brushed nickel lighting fixtures, oversized private balconies, 42-inch maple cabinets and GE stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and a dual-bowl raised-height vanity with a cultured marble top in the master bath.

Single-family homebuyers can also enjoy extra multipurpose space with a second-floor family room in the 2,117-square-foot Pinehurst floor plan at Midlane Club, a single-family home golf course community in Wadsworth by J. Lawrence Homes.

According to John Wozniak, president of Naperville-based J. Lawrence Homes, the second-floor family room transitions throughout the years as a family grows into their home.

"For families with babies and toddlers, the Pinehurst’s second-floor family room can be used as a playroom that can be monitored while a parent is doing laundry next door," Wozniak said. "Then as children get older, the room can be converted into a multimedia space with a computer station, home theater or video games. It’s an ideal room for keeping an overflow of toys, books and games off the first floor."

In addition, Wozniak said the Pinehurst’s second-floor family room exceeds the architectural interest of a typical bonus room with a bay window overlooking the front of the home. He noted that the bay window is the perfect spot for a reading corner or built-in window seat.

Midlane Club offers eight floor plans including both ranch and two-story designs. Homes range from 2,019 to 3,354 square feet and have up to four bedrooms, two to three baths, attached two- or three-car garages and basements. They are priced from the $240,000s to the $330,000s. Midlane Club is located on the site of the Midlane Country Club and includes amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, tennis courts and a clubhouse with a swimming pool, fitness center and multiple gathering areas.

Families looking for extra space, including customized bonus rooms, may also want to consider Ravine Woods, a single-family home community in Channahon by Smykal Associates.

"Because we have an architect in-house, our staff can customize a bonus room to suit a buyer’s lifestyle — whether it’s adding bookcases and cubbies to the space, a wine or beverage bar or even a study area complete with built-in desks," said Peggy Taheri, vice president of sales and marketing for Wheaton-based Smykal Associates.

Depending on the plan, Taheri said buyers at Ravine Woods also have the option of creating a bonus room where one didn’t exist before, usually out of space reserved for a secondary bedroom. "We give our buyers a lot of flexibility with their home designs," Taheri said. "For some, it’s more functional to have three bedrooms and a bonus room than to have four bedrooms, especially if that fourth bedroom is a designated guest room that doesn’t get used much."

Ravine Woods offers 220 single-family sites with homes base priced from $229,900 to $279,900. Seven ranch and two-story floor plans range from 2,123 to 3,341 square feet and feature three to four bedrooms, two to three baths, two- to three-car garages and standard basements. One plan has an option for a four-car garage. The community offers a picturesque country setting with many of the new homes backing up to a 70-acre ravine with walkout basements available.

Buyers can learn more about the flex space at any of these communities by contacting the sales centers.

For more information about Willow Place, call (847) 818-0800 or visit lexingtonchicago.com. For more information about Midlane Club, call (630) 281-4730 or visit jlawrencehomes.com. For more information about Ravine Woods, call (815) 467-1800 or visit smykalhomes.com.