Many people have a favorite space in their home, be it a cozy nook for reading, a luxurious bath for escaping the hassles of a long day or a gourmet kitchen ideally suited for preparing meals the whole family can enjoy. If you don't already have your favorite space picked out keep in mind a well-planned home renovation can turn an ordinary space into something truly extraordinary. Following are some of our clients' favorites.

Light-Filled Family Room: One Leesburg family had an existing rooftop terrace that was causing leaks and other problems in their home. This problematic space was transformed into a cozy upper-level family room. Glass windows now encase the room, showing off the beautiful view of the distant skyline, while a set of doors still make a balcony accessible. The ceiling beams and planks add texture, while the custom-built entertainment cabinet serves as another focal point of the room.

Family-Friendly Sports Court: Kids and adults alike are big fans of having a sports court in the home. With a multipurpose recreational room, you can have family basketball games, a volleyball tournament, birthday party area, or an exercise room for getting in shape for that upcoming vacation. Common elements of these rooms are padded walls, sport court markings, unbreakable glass, and real athletic wood or cushioned flooring.

A Lofty Idea: When planning their recent addition, one couple envisioned a sitting area adjacent to their master suite. The solution was an award-winning "eagle's nest" loft addition complete with a wooden ship's ladder. This type of staircase not only saved space but also fit nicely into the nautical theme of the room. Today, the couple happily plans their boating trips in this map room, which features spectacular views of the Washington monument in the distance.

A Tranquil Oasis: Turning a master bath into a spa-like retreat is all about creating a space focused on comfort, warmth, and relaxation. This expanded master bath is inspired by the homeowner's love of spa getaways and features a soaking tub, glass-walled steam shower, a morning bar, her dressing area and sleek, clean finishes. As an added bonus, sliding doors lead to a rooftop balcony overlooking a beautiful outdoor renovation. While the floor looks like hardwood and gives the room a warm finish, it is actually heated ceramic tile perfect for those cold winter mornings!

Stu, Stu, Studio: Whatever your passion is, be it your life's work or just a hobby, creating a studio in your own home offers many benefits. By working closely with our design team, one professional photographer was able to create a space in his home that suited his technical photography needs, but also provided an area to meet with his clients and display his work. Perhaps you have a budding singer or dancer in your family. If so, instead consider creating a recording studio or a dance room for your young ballerina. Whatever your craft may be, a design-build contractor can help create the perfect area to nurture your family's talents.

And, to round out the list, we even have at least one client who says the colorful, new laundry room is her favorite space in her home. Imagine that.

Tim Burch is a Vice President of BOWA, an award-winning design, and construction firm specializing in renovations ranging from master suites and kitchens to whole-house remodels. A Northern Virginia native and third-generation builder, Tim enjoys calling on his 30 years of design-build experience to solve clients' home-related challenges. He is the Construction Advisor for The Mosby Heritage Area Association and sits on the Board of Building Appeals for Fauquier County. Prior to joining BOWA, Tim was the Lead Project Manager of Construction for the Emmy Award-winning construction reality television show, Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC Television. For more information on Tim and the BOWA team, visit bowa.com or call 540-681-6771.