Options for a spare room
Maybe you’re an emptynester, maybe you have a bonus room in your new house, or maybe you have a nicely finished basement. Extra rooms can serve a variety of purposes, and with a little planning you can establish a space that will make your home a happier place to be. You may already be familiar with the classic craft rooms or man/woman caves, but here are some other options for that room.
A Home gym: The home gym is a classic in spare room usage for a reason. A home gym can be anything from free weights and yoga mats to a fullscale setup of treadmills, weight benches and other exercise equipment. Add a wall-mounted TV for workout videos, or a sound system for your favorite tunes to keep your blood pumping. Whatever you do, make sure the floors are sturdy and wellprotected from whatever you might be doing. A consultation with a fitness trainer, even online, can help you design the ideal workout room.
Themed entertainment room: You can turn that spare room into something more than just a game room or TV-watching space with an extensive themed remodel. The options here are as broad as your imagination itself. A 1950s-inspired diner with jukebox, wood-paneled English pub with leather stools pushed up to a custom bar or a tribute to the movies or sports teams that drive your passions.
Walk- in closet: Convert the extra space into the walk-in closet of your dreams. Depending on the complexity of the closet you’d like to create, you can complete the task with a few supplies from the local home improvement store in a weekend. You can also hire a contractor to create a completely custom design with all the bells and whistles.
Closet renovations tend to have a low return on investment, so if you do this, make sure you’re doing it for yourself and not to improve resale value. This should be a labor of love.
Relaxation room: Rather than stimulating activities or entertainment, you can use that room to create a relaxing, peaceful environment to decompress and find serenity. Wall projectors, relaxing seating areas, soft blankets, pillows and mats, and water elements such as aquariums can help create that feeling.
Greenhouse: Plants and gardening can be a relaxing hobby, and an indoor greenhouse can be just the ticket for all-seasons gardening. A lot of windows and a fair amount of natural light make this possible. Strategically place shelving so your favorite indoor plants can benefit from the sun – south-facing windows will receive the most sunlight. Add an oversized chair for a cozy reading spot. The garden room can also house any outdoor plants you need to shelter from harsh winter conditions.
Guest room: Of course, you can always add the traditional guest room. You can work the concept into areas such as craft rooms as well, such as with a pullout sofa or Murphy bed to accommodate visitors. A queen-sized bed is enough for most couples to sleep. Beautiful bedding and window treatments or shades create an inviting space, as do table lamps or wall sconces for lighting.