If you are going to include play room for the grandkids, you could paint one wall with blackboard paint and they can draw on the wall.
EDIT: also, you could get some custom-built cabinetry with things that fold away, like a desk, that the kids can use when they come over, and in future for homework and stuff when they visit.
The statute of limitations has expired, I believe, so I’ll mention that I owned a home with a “secret room” that I used as a grow room.
I’ve known people to put their valuable collections in them such as sports memorabilia, guns, antiques, and wine.
Things that are highly valuable yet you dont want to lock away in a safety deposit box so you cannot enjoy them. They can even show the stuff to a FEW trusted guests.
I would go ahead and create a secret room and not tell anyone, even family, about it. You never know what you might accumulate or find some old family heirloom is quite valuable.
I’m disappointed in the dope. Here we have a secret room, the OP has toddler grandkids, and half of you are suggesting “storage”. Where’s the imagination or the joy? Clearly, the OP has discounted the rather obvious storage answer otherwise why would they ask?
Personally I would do something for the kiddies (maybe ask permission from the parents before doing any of these). Something with a theme. Obviously make sure the ventilation etc is checked for safety first.
Option 1: some sort of space ship flight deck. Your space might not be as big but here’s an inspiration: House With Spaceship In The Attic Wins The London Property Porn Stakes | HuffPost UK Tech
Option 2: If you have lots of the kids toys as permanent residents then on a particular day you could make them all disappear. Leave a note in the space they usually occupy along the lines of “we’re having a party - see you next week!” or “Back soon!”. Lead the kids on a hunt for them. “Discover” the room acting all surprised. Open it up and all the toys are there having a party! There’s music playing, there’s a little glitter ball and disco lights. One of the toys might be DJing. The kids will probably start using it as a playtime fort after that.
Option 3: Reading room. Put a kids size chair in it and a few cushions. Add a reading lamp. On one wall a little bookshelf with tons of kids books. Downside is they might not embrace this.
Option 4: Pretend there’s a friendly monster living in the room. You can’t open the door unfortunately because it’s severely allergic to little children but it won’t get affected by any paintings they might wish to make for it. And it will leave presents for the kiddies so they know it’s nice.
etc etc…
It seems pretty obvious to me what you should do with it.
Sound proof it. Have a rack on one wall with bottles labeled “Chloroform”, “Rubbing Alcohol”, and “Amyl Nitrate”. Another rack with riding crops, a branding iron, a bullwhip and some clamps. A DVD player with a large collection of hardcore porn. Then chain some shackles and manacles to the walls, and put down a mattress.
You can call it “the playroom”.
Regards,
Shodan
If this is part of a finished basement in the Atlanta area it will most likely be connected to the central heating and AC system. I doubt dampness will be an issue. Even the unfinished portion of my below grade basement, which is not heated or cooled, stays between 50 and 70 F year round and nothing mildews.
Ah, yes, secret jalapenos!
As to the OP, I vote reading nook.
My concern is that you’re closing off a section of it. You’ll have one small room with a concrete floor and one or two block walls. All cold and all (possibly) wicking humidity into the house. Generally that’s not an issue, but a small alcove that was never intended to be a closet or bathroom or bedroom may very well not have and ductwork in it.
If humidity is an issue, it may be as simple as running a small duct over to it and making sure the air can flow back out somewhere (ie cutting a hold in the secret bookshelf and putting a vent over it) or even just sticking a fan in there with a way to circulate air in and out.
Grow room. For mushrooms.
Black velvet draped over the walls and ceiling, crimson shag carpet. Planter boxes running the length of the three uninterrupted walls.
In the center of the room, a rough hewn granite dais with a copy (or the original if you can get it) of the Necronomicon.
Maybe some corner sconces with lava lamps on them.
Wine cellar/Tasting room.
The OP said that the grandchildren only visit once a year or so. (Perhaps they live quite far away, so more frequent visits just aren’t likely.) So boring as it sounds, off-season storage seems the best purpose although they can still have fun with a hidden door to access it.
Safe room.
Wine cellar. Perhaps a cask of amontillado.
Secret altar to worship the celebrity of your choice. Rick Astley maybe?
What should we do with our secret room?
Make another secret room inside. Call the first room a safe room and the one inside a panic room. Inside the panic room put another safe room with three doors.
Sequential threads when I opened this one:
What should we do with our secret room?
Different places to have sex
Get into cheesemaking and use the space as your cheese-aging cave. Cheeses require a cool, slightly humid environment (like your area) to age, and most people who’d like to make cheese don’t have access to this kind of space.
They’ll be round every week after the magic is installed!
Lure unsuspecting guests into the room and abruptly lock them alone inside. Then a voice comes from hidden speakers,
“I want to play a game.”
“You’re probably wondering where you are. I’ll tell you where you might be. You might be in the room that you die in. Up until now, you’ve simply sat in the shadows watching others live out their lives. But what do voyeurs see when they look into the mirror? Now I see you as a strange mix of someone angry, yet apathetic. But mostly just pathetic. So are you going to watch yourself die here today, or do something about it?”
Or a much more benign escape room.
Be sure to put a candlestick, lead pipe, and some rope inside.
And invite your colorfully-named friends over.