How to Create a Personal Sanctuary in Your Home: A Guide from Real Estate Expert Jason Oppenheim

Creating a dedicated personal sanctuary within your home is a powerful strategy for managing stress and enhancing well-being, a practice exemplified by real estate expert Jason Oppenheim. For professionals in high-pressure industries, a designated space for escape can be as valuable as the property's financial appreciation. This article explores how to integrate a personal retreat into your living environment, using insights from Oppenheim's approach to his West Hollywood condominium (a type of individually owned housing unit within a larger building complex).

What Defines a Personal Sanctuary?

Based on our experience assessment, a personal sanctuary is not necessarily the most aesthetically perfect room. Instead, it is a space prioritized for happiness and escape. For Jason Oppenheim, this meant converting a second bedroom into a dedicated "sim room" centered around a high-end racing simulator. The key elements of his sanctuary are safety, privacy, and personal joy. This aligns with a broader trend in luxury real estate, where buyers increasingly value spaces designed for specific hobbies and wellness, beyond standard amenities.

"Sanctuary means safe, private, and then also happy," Oppenheim notes. "It often is devoid of aesthetic... happiness is at a premium."

This principle can be applied to any home. A sanctuary could be a reading nook, a meditation space, a home gym, or an art studio. The core function is to provide a complete mental break from work and daily pressures.

How Can a Hobby Space Add Value to Your Home Life?

Integrating a serious hobby into your home requires intentional design. In his 2,900-square-foot corner unit condo, Oppenheim sacrificed a traditional guest bedroom to accommodate his passion. The room features an Aston Martin x Curv Racing Simulators AMR-C01, a professional-grade unit that replicates the experience of driving a Formula 1 car with a wraparound screen and a tactile feedback steering wheel.

The benefits of such a space are tangible:

• Total Escape: Engaging in an activity that requires complete focus, like simulated racing, forces you to disconnect from phones and work concerns.
• Social Connection: The space became a hub for social interaction, where friends could visit and take turns racing, enhancing the property's value as an entertainment venue.
• Daily Routine: Oppenheim incorporates the simulator into his daily routine, often using it for 30-60 minutes each morning while drinking coffee, effectively setting a positive tone for the day.

What Should You Prioritize When Designing Your Sanctuary?

When planning your own sanctuary, focus on functionality over pure aesthetics. Oppenheim’s room is described as "pretty basic," with walls adorned with sports jerseys and football helmets. The priority was creating a "fun, happiest room in the house," not impressing with interior design trends.

Key considerations include:

• Dedicated Space: Even in a smaller home, carving out a corner that is solely for your hobby can be effective.
• Professional-Grade Equipment (Within Budget): While Oppenheim’s simulator retails for approximately $75,000, the concept applies to any hobby. Investing in quality equipment that enhances your enjoyment is key.
• Personalization: Fill the space with items that genuinely bring you joy, whether it's sports memorabilia, artwork, or comfortable furniture.

What Are the Broader Real Estate Considerations?

Oppenheim’s immediate need to relocate highlights a crucial point for renters and buyers: always consider your lifestyle needs in your next home. His non-negotiable requirement for his next rental is a three-bedroom layout, specifically to ensure dedicated space for his simulator, a guest room, and his primary bedroom.

This underscores an important aspect of the home search. When evaluating properties, whether buying or renting, it's essential to think beyond the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Consider how the layout and space will accommodate your personal well-being practices. A full-service building (a residential building offering amenities like a concierge, security, and maintenance) that provides safety and privacy, like Oppenheim's former West Hollywood condo, can also contribute significantly to the sanctuary feeling.

In conclusion, creating a home sanctuary is a valuable investment in your quality of life. The core actionable advice is to identify an activity that brings you genuine escape, intentionally dedicate a space for it, and prioritize this need during your next property search. By following this approach, you can transform a house or condo into a true personal retreat.