How Hilary Farr Turns An Unfinished Basement Into A Trendy Hangout Spot For Teens

Homeowners who appear on "Love It Or List It" often have unfulfilled needs or pain points that have made them consider listing. In one episode, parents Anna Wade and Andrew are struggling with their home's space constraints as their kids get older. One of their major temptations to embark on a house hunt is finding one with a tween-friendly hangout space. As shown on HGTV's episode recap, their kiddos are often heading out to hang out at friends' houses instead. And Hilary Farr makes it a point to create a comfortable, cool space for the kids right in their own home. 

As Andrew points out, their unfinished basement means they simply aren't using a third of their home's space. So, on a mission to make them love their house again, Farr puts her design genius to work to transform the area into a cool space where any teen would love to hang out. The new, multi-functional space includes a bright and welcoming living area, a sleek full bathroom, and a spacious bedroom, ideal for guests. By prioritizing flexibility and strategically utilizing the unused space, Farr helps the home meet the family's wants and needs. In the reveal, Anna Wade exclaims, "This is beyond what I ever dreamt," proving yet another win for the innovative designer.

Teens are one of the hardest groups to design a space for, yet Hilary Farr does it masterfully. Keeping a neutral palette, white walls make the finished basement feel spacious and airy. The designer added tons of comfy seating, including stools, armchairs, a spacious sofa, and ottomans to play host to lounging teens. She also has integrated storage with shelves and cabinets installed to stash things like video games and craft supplies.

The thoughtful decor adds to the fun-loving vibe of the space. A gallery wall features a mash-up of friend photos and playful prints, the perfect way to add teen-friendly art. Then, dual-purpose items like a mini foosball table and jars of candy are used to add pops of color and character to the space.

Farr also added an adjacent bathroom with fresh, modern finishes like spa-like monochromatic mosaic tile. In both spaces, the design vet creates a vibe that's welcoming to guests of all ages, especially as the kids mature. She explains to the couple, "The important thing is for this to work...now, in the future...and for your kids together, their friends together."

If you have teens who desperately need their own space, you may need to get a bit creative. Of course, the basement is a popular solution. However, you may be able to use another area like a loft, bonus room, or even an uninhabited bedroom.

When designing the space, stick with neutral tones that will still appeal to teens as they mature. Airy white or crisp gray walls create a neutral background and a fresh, energetic atmosphere. Make sure to select a teen-friendly paint that's durable and scrubbable to stand up to active occupants, like Benjamin Moore's Regal Select. Then, fill the space with lounge-friendly seating like a roomy sofa as well as moveable pieces like ottomans and poufs. To add storage, you can have built-ins installed or take a DIY approach. If you'd like to install your own, design planners like the one for IKEA's BILLY storage line take the guesswork out of configuring your layout.

When it comes to decor for evolving teen tastes, flexibility is key. To create a gallery wall à la Farr, use lightweight frames and Command Picture Hanging Strips so you can move things around as needed without having to worry about repairing nail holes. Look for standard-sized throw pillow inserts that allow you to simply buy new covers when tastes change. For example, these covers from Wayfair come in lots of colors, are durable, and as a bonus are machine washable — ideal for a teen-friendly space.