Recreation Renaissance: Designing Spaces for Joy & Wellness
Once upon a time, a home theater was the ultimate luxury. Today, homeowners are craving something richer: spaces that invite movement, connection, and personal passion. It’s not about passive entertainment anymore — it’s about joy. At LSD Studio, we call this shift the recreation renaissance.
Here are some of the ways we’re reimagining home spaces to support play, wellness, and living well in the present.
Wellness Suite by LSD Studio / Photograph by Liz Swaminathan
The Baller’s Paradise: Courts, Greens & Simulators
For many families, athletic spaces are becoming the true social hub of the home.
Putting Greens: Thoughtful contours, multiple holes, and native plantings create a landscape that feels both playful and natural. Limestone or stone edging elevates these greens into sculptural elements of the garden.
Golf Simulators: Far beyond tech caves, simulators can be integrated with natural light, disappearing screens, and lounge-style seating that encourage gathering, not isolation.
Sport Courts: Multi-purpose courts become dramatic at night when paired with clean-lined lighting and minimalist storage. These spaces are designed as much for visual impact as function.
At LSD Studio, we see these as more than “amenities” — they’re crafted experiences, detailed with authentic materials that withstand play while aging beautifully.
Billiard Room in Tarrytown by LSD Studio / Photograph by Kieran Reeves
Game On: Elevated Gaming Spaces
The classic “game room” has evolved into something more refined.
Billiards: Tables in acrylic, brushed metal, or custom woods transform into sculptural focal points. Natural light and artful surroundings make the space feel gallery-like, not cave-like.
Card Rooms: Modern poker tables become architectural furniture, with integrated lighting and sound-absorbing finishes for both focus and conversation.
Wellness Sanctuaries: Mind + Body at Home
Wellness at home is no longer a luxury — it’s essential. These spaces nurture balance as much as they do movement.
Yoga + Meditation Studios: Oak floors, natural fiber textiles, and expansive glazing connect body and mind to the landscape.
Home Saunas: Sleek cedar-lined or stone-clad saunas integrate with bathrooms and wellness suites, designed as architectural features, not add-ons.
Multi-Use Retreats: Spaces that flex between yoga, massage, or meditation, layered with calming palettes, materials, and light.
Wellness design is rooted in craftsmanship and materiality — spaces where every surface, sound, and texture is intentional.
Custom Wine Cellar in Austin, Texas. Design by LSD Studio / Photograph by Kieran Reeves Photography
Epicurean Playgrounds: Culinary Experiences
Recreation isn’t just about sport or stillness — it’s also about gathering around food and drink.
Outdoor Kitchens: Pizza ovens with custom tile, vent hoods designed as sculpture, and built-in herb gardens blur the line between cooking and entertaining.
Wine Rooms: Glass-enclosed cellars and tasting niches transform storage into an experience. We’ve designed spaces under stairs, behind glass floors, and within intimate alcoves — proof that wine can become architecture.
Designing for Joy
The most successful recreation spaces share key qualities:
Coherence with the home’s overall design language.
Strategic lighting that transforms mood from day to evening.
Materials chosen for durability + beauty.
Strong indoor-outdoor connections.
At LSD Studio, we believe the ultimate luxury isn’t just having these spaces — it’s living well within them.
