Home improvement: Home upgrades that bring a household together

Regardless of your household structure, there's a good chance some quality time is bound to happen. Perhaps you fancy a few board games, potluck dinners or simply relaxing on the couch, but what if you could get a little more productive with your household's quality time?

Here are a few popular projects for any household:

The breakfast nook

Popular open floor plans have led many homeowners to focus on center islands and use tall stools to create a coffee or breakfast bar. Few would argue this kitchen-centric design fails to attract impromptu gatherings. But by the nature of this design, interactions and gatherings may not be as relaxed and cozy as some households prefer. Breakfast nooks, however, handle an impromptu gathering a little differently.

For a typical breakfast nook, you'll need a rectangular tabletop with cushioned bench seating on either side. Designs often mirror the space-efficient booths used in breakfast restaurants. A simple breakfast nook design can be constructed by handy DIY homeowners or by a construction professional.

Indoor-outdoor space

Indoor-outdoor spaces are excellent ways to stay away from the screens of everyday life and engage in comfortable conversations with house members. A great way to incorporate an indoor-outdoor space is by adding a veranda.

Working with a contractor to build an overhanging roof opens the door to a wide range of enhancements. Heating systems, full kitchens, refrigeration and comfortable indoor furniture are now on the table. The cost of a roof extension invites the amenities your household members gravitate toward.

Transform a room into a home theater

Home theaters were once considered high-end improvements. Homeowners no longer need to invest in massive surround-sound systems, projectors or movie screens. The relatively inexpensive large flat-screen televisions can more than suffice.

One way to distinguish a home theater from an everyday TV room is to remodel the walls, ceiling and integrate specialized seating. In other words, emulate the inside of a movie theater and install plush, somewhat oversized recliners in one or more rows. Now you and yours can joke, talk and enjoy a snack while watching a new release or a time-honored favorite without worrying about disturbing other patrons.