6 ways to make use of spare room in your home
Maybe you’re an emptynester, maybe you have a bonus roomin your new house, ormaybe 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.
Homegym. The home gym is a classic in spare roomusage for a reason. A home gym can be anything fromfreeweights and yoga mats to a full-scale setup of treadmills, weight benches and other exercise equipment. Add awall-mounted TV forworkout videos, or a sound system for your favorite tunes to keep your blood pumping. Whatever you do, make sure the floors are sturdy andwellprotected 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 roomor 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 themovies 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 fromthe local home improvement store in aweekend. You can also hire a contractor to create a completely custom design with all the bells and whistles.
Relaxation room. Rather than stimulating activities or entertainment, you can use that roomto create a relaxing, peaceful environment to decompress and find serenity. Wall projectors, relaxing seating areas, soft blankets, pillows and mats, andwater 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 fromthe sun— south-facing windows will receive the most sunlight. Add an oversized chair for a cozy reading spot. The garden roomcan also house any outdoor plants you need to shelter fromharsh winter conditions.
Guest room. Of course, you can always add the traditional guest room. You canwork the concept into areas such as craft rooms aswell, such as with a pullout sofa orMurphy bed to accommodate visitors. A queen-sized bed is enough for most couples to sleep. Beautiful bedding and windowtreatments or shades create an inviting space, as do table lamps or wall sconces for lighting.