Installing an indoor basketball court can help aspiring stars brush up on their skills, or provide recreational entertainment for both the youngest and oldest basketball fans. In addition, it offers a place to burn off extra energy during the colder months and stay active year-round, as well as provide both health and social benefits. Read on for details to consider if youre interested in building an indoor basketball court in your home.

Decide on Full or Half Court
Whether you install a full or half court is dependent on the usable space you have. If youre building an indoor basketball court in your basement, you may opt for a half-court. However, if your indoor court will be an independent structure, you may have the space for a full court.

Incorporate Locker Rooms
If you anticipate friends coming over to play, adding locker rooms and a shower will give them a place to store their belongings and clean up after an intense game.

Create a Multi-Purpose Space
You can extend the use of your indoor basketball court by building a multi-purpose space. Adding additional recreational features, such as a climbing wall, racquetball space and volleyball or badminton net, may appeal to different age levels, interests and family members. create a universal sports court by ensuring the floor has the necessary markings and posts for the needed nets.

Build a Multi-Level Space
A multi-level space will allow spectators to come to watch a game and turn the area into a lounge space. If the court will be used primarily by children, its an especially great space for parents to take in a scrimmage.

Consider the Ceiling Height
The ceiling or roof height is crucial for an indoor basketball court. This will allow for the hoop to be regulation height and to be able to play the most authentic game.

Know the Importance of Soundproofing
Basketball can be a loud sport, between the ball bouncing on the ground, the board, the buzzer and any banter between players. Soundproofing the space will create a more comfortable atmosphere for everyone at home.

Select the Flooring Surface
Its important that the flooring surface of an indoor court isnt slippery, so the flooring selection is essential. Maple flooring is one of the most common choices because of its durability and shock-absorbing properties. However, other wood types may wear down over time, making future repairs inevitable. Another flooring option is cement. An epoxy finish over the cement will create a smoother surface.

Determine the Court Design
Whether you choose colors from your favorite collegiate team, professional team or your own favorite colors, the design possibilities are endless. Designing your indoor basketball court can be the most fun part of the process from a neutral space, an all-wood atmosphere, a brightly colored area or an homage to your favorite team or players.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether youre hosting family and friends, or its just your immediate family, the kitchen island is inevitably the place where people end up gathering. A kitchen island ends up being a communal spot to enjoy coffee, hors doeuvres, a glass of wine and tell stories. A traditional kitchen island layout will work in nearly any kitchen design. Expanding an island to offer more space for sitting, lounging and prepping food will bring additional comfort to your leisurely mornings or long nights gathered around the kitchen island. Here are some unique kitchen island configurations to choose from.

Built-In Table at the End of the Island
If you find your family spending many meals at the kitchen island instead of the dining table, consider building a kitchen table directly into the end of the island. Whether you build a round dining table at the end of the island or a square dining table, remember to account for ample seating. Dont shy away from going oversized to accommodate everyone comfortably and to make a design statement.

Double Island
A double island can be invaluable if you frequently host gatherings. One island can be for cooking and prep work, and the other can remain the hub for gathering around. Depending on your kitchens layout and space, the two islands can be next to each other or back to back.

U-Shaped Island
A truly custom look, this layout is meant for kitchens with ample space. An oversized u-shaped kitchen island offers enough room in the middle for a built-in banquette and dining table. This layout can take the place of a breakfast nook. A u-shaped island invites friends and family to meet around the table for meals, snacks, cocktail hour and game nights while still being in the middle of the kitchen island action.

Built-In Banquette
Building a banquette directly into the island is both a functional game-changer and a conversation starter. For example, adding a long banquette to the length of the island can be paired with a dining table as a place to gather around for meals. Or, a shorter banquette added to the end of the island can be paired with a smaller table, such as a tulip or pedestal table, for a more intimate space to enjoy your morning coffee.

Two-Tiered Island
If you dont have the space for two kitchen islands, but you want to have a separate food prep area and food serving area, a two-tiered island will let you use the top tier for preparing food and the bottom level to set out hors-d’oeuvres and for guests to set down their drinks and plates. In addition, using different counter materials, such as marble on the top and wood on the bottom, will add visual interest.

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Luxury kitchen appliances take a fully functional kitchen to an epicurious destination fit for a gourmet chef. From wi-fi refrigerators to under-counter beverage centers, adorning your kitchen with all the bells and whistles will make preparing everything from feasts to snacks a breeze. So whether you prefer to serve six-course seated dinners or are always preparing snacks in between picks and drop offs, the following appliances will make it all feel easier. Read on for the leading chef-inspired kitchen appliances.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator Drawers
These refrigerator drawers turn any drawer into a refrigerator. They are panel ready, meaning they can seamlessly integrate into your existing cabinetry, giving you additional refrigerator space throughout your kitchen, or even your family room, bedroom, basement and beyond. They open and close silently with soft-close technology, lock in cold air for freshness and have a high-humidity crisper. Installing a refrigerator drawer for produce close to the garbage lets you easily discard food prep waste, installing one on the opposite side of your prep area will let your family quickly grab a snack without getting in the way, or building one into your entertainment center makes accessing healthy snacks easier while you catch up on your favorite shows.

Wolf Warming Drawers
With a warming drawer, the days of serving room temperature dishes are over. Instead, a warming drawer makes food prep infinitely easier. The Wolf warming drawer distributes heat evenly from 80 to 200 degrees, includes food presets, such as bread, cooked cereals, and pizza fits entres and sides easily and has an automatic shut-off. A warming drawer keeps dishes warm while the other dishes continue to cook, meals warm for those coming home later, and will even keep dishes warm for a hot meal, such as keeping the plates and soup bowls warm. Also, if youre installing warming drawers in your kitchen, you can order a few additional drawers for your bathroom, so you always have a toasty warm robe when you exit the shower.

Wolf M Series Wall Oven
The Wolf M Series wall oven is the epitome of luxury. With state-of-the-art convection systems, it preheats faster and cooks more consistently across all racks, and makes cooking for a crowd effortless, with two ovens and twice the capacity. A variety of modes, including a proof button for bread, a dehydrate button for meats or fruits, and a gourmet feature that automatically adjusts cook times and temperatures. The gourmet mode will also alert you the moment the dish is ready, meaning you’ll never have an overcooked meal again.

Sub-Zeros Classic Over-and-Under Refrigerator
The Sub-Zero Classic Under-and-Over Refrigerator is a luxury kitchen staple that lets you monitor and remotely control it with wi-fi connectivity. Its NASA-inspired air purification system helps fight spoilage and odors, it locks in cold air to ensure freshness with magnetic door seals, keeps produce fresher with high-humidity, sealed crisper and deli drawers, filters ice, removing contaminants, chlorine taste, and odor, among other luxury features.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If your household enjoys some friendly competition, or if you have aspiring future NBA players at home, a backyard basketball court can give them a leg up on the competition. Having your own court also offers convenience, health benefits and social opportunities for the recreational player. If walking out your back door to a full-size basketball court tops your list of dream home amenities, read on for potential factors to consider before installing your own backyard basketball court.

Interview Contractors
Interview at least three basketball court contractors to get the most accurate pricing, determine quality and assess their professionalism. Ask them about their process, the materials involved in building a court, their warranty, confirm that the company is insured, and be sure to ask for a list of references.

Check Local Zoning Requirements
Like any outdoor project, before you sign the contract and break ground, check your local zoning requirements and acquire the required permits. If you enjoy playing night games, check if there are any lighting restrictions.

Determine the Size
An outdoor basketball court is typically 50 feet wide by 94 feet long. Depending on the amount of space you have, a half-court may be a better choice for your yard. The area where you break ground should be open and flat, so the court is as level as possible.

Choose the Surface
While several surfaces are appropriate for a basketball court, concrete is the most common selection. Concrete is known for its durability and longevity and wont require much maintenance. Synthetic basketball courts provide better protection during inevitable falls. Polymeric rubber is softer than concrete but still gives a high bounce. Basketball court tiles offer good shock absorption, but are a shorter-term solution, typically lasting 10 to 15 years. Before the surface is poured, the area will need to be leveled. Remember to check the weather forecast before the surface is installed, and aim for a stretch of days that show 72 hours of no rain.

Fencing
If you want additional privacy around your court, or you dont want to deal with constantly chasing the ball, a fence will keep the area enclosed. Brick, stone or wood fencing will give you the privacy and enclosure you need.

Select the Hoop
The basketball hoop should be installed as the surface is installed. For example, if you opt for a concrete surface, the hoop will be installed as the concrete is poured. This makes it essential to have the hoop as soon as the construction begins.

Factor in the Accessories
If you plan on playing night games, you will want lighting on your court. Solar lighting is a low-maintenance option and doesnt require electricity. In addition, benches, storage solutions for the basketballs, court markings and stickers that reflect your favorite logo or mascot are necessities for a more enjoyable experience.

Whatever your motivation, nothing tops the convenience of being courtside simply by walking out your backdoor.

Published with permission from RISMedia.