Second living room dilemma

[SWS17]

We have moved into a house which is perfect in every way except for the fact that it doesn’t have a second sitting room / living room / family room. It has two very small non adjacent rooms which serve as home office and playroom. This is fine for the moment while our children are small but I’m starting to get the impression from friends with older kids that, ideally, one might have a second sitting room so that teenagers (plus pals) and parents each have separate spaces during the evenings... We also live near the schools which our children will attend (primary and secondary) and would be happy to be the hangout house (within reason!).

We have garden space to extend but obviously would prefer not to have the inconvenience and expense but if it really is life enhancing we will do it. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

Btw I realise that this is very much a first world problem and I am incredibly grateful to have a house

We have 2 children (1 primary & 1senior).

In our home, we have 3 reception rooms downstairs.

• main living room used day to day as a family and where visitors sit when allowed in during normal times.
• office which was the playroom until we moved the toys into the bedrooms and needed somewhere to do home learning and work from home.
• second living room (we call this the chill out room) smaller than main room with 2 seater sofa, tv with set top box, gaming console, DVDs and books. Used mainly by husband for football matches and gaming for our eldest. Youngest and I watch movies in there.

In our garden, we have a large summerhouse which has a full size pool table, arcade game, dartboard, projector and screen and sky movies and sports wired in. We also have a bar in there ( non alcoholic unless we stock up for a party or bbq or if friends bring drinks over before a night out)and some seating. Outside is a basketball hoop and garden toys.

Our house is the go to house for our eldest and his friends because there are so many things for them to do. It doesn't cost them anything and their parents know they are at ours and safe. It's also the start point for when my husband goes on the town with his friends. They start their night in the summerhouse.

When we moved in, we decided to create a home that the children would want to come back to and chill out with their friends as they get older. We wanted them to have things we didnt have growing up.

Both of our children know that they are very fortunate to have what we have given them and know that they are privileges.
Both the chill out room and the summerhouse are locked with a key, which the children can earn by making sure their homework is done, their own rooms are kept tidy and they are well behaved.

Having these spaces have really helped us during the lockdowns. We have spent loads of time playing pool together or having movie afternoons on the big screen. It was great when we could have garden parties. All the buffet food was down there, which took people out of the house. There is also no reason for anyone other than us to go upstairs so that part of the house remains private.