Recent Empty Nester? Here’s How to Repurpose Those Extra Rooms in Your Home

Becoming an empty nester is bittersweet— it can be sad that a family member no longer occupies that space, but it’s also an opportunity to create a new room to enjoy. Whether you need a space for your hobbies to thrive or for your home to become more organized, this is the right moment! We’re giving you five ideas to turn your empty room into the space of your dreams.

Build productivity with your home office

Whether you work from home or just need a place to store documents and pay your bills, a home office is a great contribution to your home. In your home office, everything has its designated place, from your printer and laptop to notebooks and pens. It’s a way to tidy up the rest of your home while keeping your work separate from the spaces you’re supposed to relax.

When creating your home office, paint the room a color that motivates you. Choose a calm lavender to promote relaxation, a sage green to provide balance, or a neutral beige as a backdrop for artwork. Your office is a great place to store art you love but haven’t found a place for in other rooms— it’s a blank canvas that’s ready for you to design. Alternatively, you can buy new pieces that fit within your color palette. 

Create a cozy, inviting guest room

A guest room may seem like an obvious choice for your extra space, but they are extremely useful. It’s perfect if you have an extra bed that you don’t want to store elsewhere. Plus, it gives your guests their own space instead of having to sleep on an air mattress or pull-out couch in the living room. 

Paint your guest room a welcoming color, like a pale yellow, soft pink, or eggshell white. Choose artwork that makes guests feel cozy. Add nightstands for convenience, complete with baskets with all the essentials for your guests— phone chargers, eye masks, ear plugs, towels, and more.

Make fitness convenient with a home gym

This is an expensive option, but it’s also an investment if you know you’re going to use it. Save money on a gym membership and enjoy the privacy and convenience of working out at home.

The biggest essential to a home office is the equipment, but it doesn’t have to be fancy. Choose equipment you know you’ll use, like a treadmill, elliptical, yoga mat, or weights. Add a large mirror to mimic a public gym, and a water bubbler for easy access during your workout. Storage shelves will be your best friend, giving each of your items a designated area in your home gym. Love listening to music while you work out? Add a bluetooth speaker so you can play your favorite songs.

Boost organization with your walk-in closet

Does your closet feel like it’s bursting at the seams? Sometimes the best choice to boost organization in your bedroom is by turning another room into a walk-in closet. 

Imagine your essentials for getting ready all in one place. Adding clothing racks and bureaus to store your clothes without stuffing too many items into one drawer. Add a vanity with a makeup and skincare station, and paint the room a bright white for good lighting while you’re getting ready in the morning. 

Support your hobbies with a dedicated room

Certain hobbies can cause clutter in your home and having a dedicated space for them is a great way to have all of your materials in one place. Transform your extra room into a hobby space to keep your materials out of your living room.

If you’re a reader, consider turning your extra room into a home library. Add shelves along the walls and fill them with books. Find the perfect cozy seat, blankets, and lamps with warm-colored bulbs for optimal reading.

Love making crafts? This extra room is the ideal spot for your sewing machine, shelves to hold supplies, and lamps for seeing details in your work.

If your room has a lot of light and you consider yourself to have a green thumb, make this space into your greenhouse. Add growing lights, rows of herbs, potted plants, watering cans and more. Plus, if you want to spend time in this space, you can add a comfy chair or couch to enjoy your hard work.

This empty space is an opportunity for transformation. By reimagining this space, you can create a room that not only serves a practical purpose but also reflects your personal passions and lifestyle. The key is to design a space that brings you joy and enhances your daily life. Embrace this new chapter and make your extra room a testament to your evolving interests and aspirations.

Want more home design and maintenance tips? Explore more blogs!