Six Splendiferous Spaces to Make Your Holiday Season Bright

Five are for sale. One is for rent. And they're all guaranteed to make your holidays special.

TREND image via Zillow

TREND image via Zillow

Trust us, the quirkiness will go up a few notches at certain points in this list, but we thought we’d ease you in by starting with a more traditionally designed space. This cozy room, found in what might be an outbuilding on this Main Line property, is just what we imagine for a family get together that counts several adolescents at the dinner table. Just picture it: Every one finishes their Turkey Day meal and the adults file into the formal family room, while the teens make their way here and hang out undisturbed, free to listen to their rock and roll music and do the Snapchatting. It’s a win-win!

The Bryn Mawr residence, which includes a 5-bedroom dwelling with columns, 2-car garage, and storage/playhouse, is listed for $1,699,000. More info here.


You didn’t think we were kidding when we said this was going to get a little unorthodox, did you? Well, for those who did harbor a doubt or two, this room should begin to convince you. Located within the beauteous walls of a two-year old home in Haddonfield, NJ, this retro checkered kitchen hides out on the second floor (there’s a conventional farmhouse-style one on the first) just waiting to surprise first-time guests who know nothing of its existence.

Truth be told, perhaps it’s a little too out there (plus, it doesn’t seem like it’d be great for large gatherings) and better reserved for laid back get togethers with friends. As a whole, the home offers six bedrooms, eight bathrooms (two of which are half), and heated sidewalks and driveway.

It’s going for $1,495,000. More info here.


Rental alert! Yes, what you see before you is the “open concept” living and dining room area inside a Chestnut Hill carriage house. Its got a wood-burning fireplace, built-in bookcases, 12-light antique brass chandelier, and dry bar – all in all, a superbly snug and private place to celebrate a holiday in a quiet way. Though, if it’s still too formal for your liking, you should know the rest of the 4,500-square-foot building offers more living/family rooms. Bonus: cool spiral staircases!

The five-bedroom is going at $4,800/month. More info here.


Alright, hear us out: The entirety of this 16-acre property is mouthwatering. True, the Trulia listing says there are parts the Chester Springs house that remain unfinished, but that seems like little matter when you take into account the sections that are finished. The words “luxury getaway” come to mind.

Now, we were torn about which picture to include here (the great room is huge), so we definitely recommend flipping through the gallery to get a better idea of what it’s like. What’s cool about the home, especially in relation to this room, is the fact that the second floor is partially an open loft space overlooking the ground level. It’d be great for huge reunions.

Price? $1,925,000. More info here.


Of course the owner built it. Though to be fair, perhaps this play room was added after the home was sold to new residents. In any case, we’re including it on this list for two reasons: 1) We think a play room allows for the kids to have some of their own fun quality time after what may have felt like dragging hours talking to distant relatives. (And the parents can get a break too). And 2) It’s got a freaking jungle gym, among other amusements.

The Delaware County home also comes with a home movie theater, paver patio with pergola, and a wine cellar.

Asking price is $1,575,000. More info here.


This one comes at us all the way from…drum roll please…Cherry Hill. Underwhelmed? You shouldn’t be. This seven-bedroom home comes with a six-car garage and houses a pitch perfect lower level that’s decked out with a custom granite wet bar, private home theater, gaming area, cigar room, and – PSA: it’s okay to take a breath, you know? – a wine cellar.

Per one of the listing photos, it seems the aforementioned cellar has a glass exposure, which somehow makes this entire section of the home seem even better than it already is.

Could be the site of your next Thanksgiving/Christmas/birthday celebration if you cough up $2,999,999. More info here.