For the last two decades, a cosy snug room has become the must-have feature of modern family living.

A small, intimate space, snugs are a place where you can switch off from the noise and mess of family life and sink into an oasis of calm – whether that’s a big luxurious sofa with plump, sumptuous cushions to fall into, or a TV den where you can zone out in peace to your favourite shows.

However, if you are pushed for space, would a utility room, a ‘games’ room or even an office be more useful than a snug? Isn’t a snug just a marketing ploy by designers to add perceived value to a dead space?

If you have got a living room that you can already relax in, why use your new extension to create another chillout zone? Isn’t it a bit pretentious having two lounge areas? Aren’t man-caves and snugs just another way of describing a space no one really knows what to do with? Would a utility room with four walls and a door to insulate the sounds from noisy appliances and hide away all your clutter be a better use of space?

Apparently not. George Clark, architect and presenter of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces says a snug is still one of the main requests he gets when redesigning family homes: “A snug is a space where the kids can watch TV and be in their own world while mum and dad are in the kitchen cooking and chatting. Then, when the kids have gone to bed, a snug is the perfect place for mum and dad to escape to for a bit of peace and quiet.

“The very name ‘snug’, means that this space is often a small, cosy and intimate area, full of soft furnishings. It will usually be a separate room from the main living area, although in a smaller home or apartment, the living room can easily be made to feel as warm and welcoming.”

Increasingly, the trend for open plan lounges is not always the best option for multi-generational families. Homeowners who knock down too many walls are finding they have created a space so large that there is no privacy or separate spaces where they can be without hearing the spin cycle of the washing machine, or being disturbed by someone rattling around in the kitchen. Thanks in part to the growth of smart phones and tablets, family members now want more separate spaces where they can go to relax with their own choice of entertainment. In fact, just like a snug.

If you are considering having a snug for your home-extension, here are 5 things to consider:

1. What is its purpose? A screen free sanctuary just for you, a chill zone for the kids, or somewhere to entertain and cosy up for movie nights?
2. How big do you need it to be? Think how many people will want to use it at any one time.
3. What colour should it be? Use soothing neutral colours like soft greens, lavender and baby greys  or for that ultimate cosy feel, add a warmer shade such as terracotta.
4. What do I put in a snug? Furniture is the most important aspect of your snug. The first rule is it must look inviting and be comfy. Do you want a large L-shape sofa you can sink into or to save space and give you more flexibility, would beanbags be better?
5. Where should the snug be? Don’t just limit the idea of a snug to indoors. A growing trend is creating outdoor snugs as the perfect garden spot to retreat, come rain or shine.

Ultimately, if you are renovating or extending a house, including a snug in your floor plan can be a great way of encouraging family harmony and a focal point for relaxation.