Do you have space in your home that you could put to better use? Turn that spare bedroom into a home gym, or convert the basement or spare room into a media room. Here are a few helpful hints for your upcoming project:

Home gym

The convenience and time benefits associated with a home gym are priceless when you are looking to fit workouts into a busy schedule. To get started, think about how much space is available and the exercise equipment you'll need. Make sure there's enough room for your mat, free weights, balance ball and any other equipment. Electrical considerations and built-in storage areas may come into play too, depending on your vision for the room.

Flooring is another component to think about, as larger equipment and heavy weights need a durable base that stands up well to wear and tear. Practically speaking, air-conditioning, ventilation or fans can provide a more comfortable workout experience. Having a few large mirrors on the wall to see your progress or a small refrigerator for those post-workout protein shakes are a few valuable comforts not to be forgotten in the initial planning stages.

Media room

There's nothing like a new media room to add value to your home and a little fun for the family in the process. Whether you're starting from scratch or adding enhancements to an existing room, you'll want to take into account a few things to make the experience a good one.

• An enclosed, rectangular space works best for sound.
• Low ceilings work best.
• Cover the walls and ceiling with something to absorb sound; try floor-to-ceiling drapes for that true movie-theatre feel.
• It's now possible to create a very high-quality, theatre-like sound experience at home.  To do that, consider asking your designer or your design/build contractor to bring in a sound specialist at the outset..

Consider consulting with a sound specialist that can really help create an ultimate entertainment experience for your home.