12 Indulgent Ways to Make Use of That Old Spare Room
A spare room gives you so much room to move. These great ideas will have you turfing out the guests and claiming the space for yourself!
Charmean Neithart
25 June 2015
Let’s say you have an extra room in your house and you’re not sure what to do with it. Talk about a champagne problem. It does happen, though. Whether you have a rarely used dining room, the kids are now grown and gone, or you just ended up with a spare room, this is a chance to think about your space in a completely new way.
There’s no need to be practical or stay inside the lines. Why not indulge a hobby or create a retreat of your own? Here are some ideas to consider. And then tell us: how have you found a new use for a room?
There’s no need to be practical or stay inside the lines. Why not indulge a hobby or create a retreat of your own? Here are some ideas to consider. And then tell us: how have you found a new use for a room?
1. Contemplation room
This is a private place for clearing your head or thinking things through. It’s best to keep it free of clutter and technology. I suggest comfortable seating that takes advantage of any available view.
This is a private place for clearing your head or thinking things through. It’s best to keep it free of clutter and technology. I suggest comfortable seating that takes advantage of any available view.
2. Sleeping room
As I get older I have really come to enjoy a nap on the weekends, so a sleeping room would be high on my list. No phones, no TV, no reason for anyone else to disturb your sleep.
As I get older I have really come to enjoy a nap on the weekends, so a sleeping room would be high on my list. No phones, no TV, no reason for anyone else to disturb your sleep.
3. Spa
C’mon, how great would this be? No need to drive to the spa; have a professional come to your very own spa room for a massage or facial.
C’mon, how great would this be? No need to drive to the spa; have a professional come to your very own spa room for a massage or facial.
4. Morning room
This is a room for your favourite morning routine, whether that’s a cup of tea, stretching, yoga or meditating. The furnishings can be as simple as floor cushions and throw pillows. Include light-controlled windows for bright sunshine or shade, depending on your mood.
This is a room for your favourite morning routine, whether that’s a cup of tea, stretching, yoga or meditating. The furnishings can be as simple as floor cushions and throw pillows. Include light-controlled windows for bright sunshine or shade, depending on your mood.
5. Studio
An art studio need not be large, just full of great natural light. Arrange a comfortable chair with easels close to a window. Consider neutral colours for walls and floor coverings. Include a space to store supplies and a sink for clean-up if possible.
An art studio need not be large, just full of great natural light. Arrange a comfortable chair with easels close to a window. Consider neutral colours for walls and floor coverings. Include a space to store supplies and a sink for clean-up if possible.
6. Reading room
Are you a serious bookworm? Is your idea of a guilty pleasure to sneak away and read the latest bestseller? Arrange your reading room by genre and include the biggest and most comfortable seating possible. Plan for surface and wall lighting, as well as overhead lighting, so you can read any time of the day or night.
View more reading rooms for inspiration
Are you a serious bookworm? Is your idea of a guilty pleasure to sneak away and read the latest bestseller? Arrange your reading room by genre and include the biggest and most comfortable seating possible. Plan for surface and wall lighting, as well as overhead lighting, so you can read any time of the day or night.
View more reading rooms for inspiration
7. Private bar
How about a secret cupboard or room where you can serve up drinks like the pros? Ideally a bar would have a small sink and refrigerator or ice maker. Close off the space with doors that make it disappear when not in use.
Browse our photo gallery of home bars
How about a secret cupboard or room where you can serve up drinks like the pros? Ideally a bar would have a small sink and refrigerator or ice maker. Close off the space with doors that make it disappear when not in use.
Browse our photo gallery of home bars
8. Music room
If you are a musician or have budding musicians in the house, you know about the speakers, amplifiers, instrument stands and sheet music that accumulate. What a treat to have a dedicated room for this. Include a rug, window treatments and any type of upholstered furniture to help with sound buffering.
If you are a musician or have budding musicians in the house, you know about the speakers, amplifiers, instrument stands and sheet music that accumulate. What a treat to have a dedicated room for this. Include a rug, window treatments and any type of upholstered furniture to help with sound buffering.
9. Planting room
I really like the idea of having an in-house room to store plant supplies, secateurs and pots. It’s very practical to have a large sink for washing garden fruit and vegetables or making bouquets with flowers from the yard.
I really like the idea of having an in-house room to store plant supplies, secateurs and pots. It’s very practical to have a large sink for washing garden fruit and vegetables or making bouquets with flowers from the yard.
10. Fun zone
Sometimes it’s just easier to surrender to the toys. I know many families that have made peace with the idea of giving up one room to keep toys contained versus having them all over the house. A fun zone/toy room can easily be reclaimed for another use when the children are grown.
Sometimes it’s just easier to surrender to the toys. I know many families that have made peace with the idea of giving up one room to keep toys contained versus having them all over the house. A fun zone/toy room can easily be reclaimed for another use when the children are grown.
11. Kitchenette
An extra space for a quick snack or refreshment can add convenience to a large house. Stock the kitchenette with snacks and beverages that are easy to grab on the run.
An extra space for a quick snack or refreshment can add convenience to a large house. Stock the kitchenette with snacks and beverages that are easy to grab on the run.
12. Coffee room
If you have serious coffee drinkers in the house, you might want to consider a coffee room. An oversized wardrobe or old pantry would work great as a coffee space. You just need enough space for a coffee maker, storage and ideally a water source. An added bonus would be a small refrigerator for afternoon tea and milk.
YOUR TURN
Show us how you’ve transformed a room. Include a high-resolution photograph in the comments section below.
MORE
Transform Your Guest Room Into a Relaxing Retreat
Stickybeak of the Week: A Junk Room Gets a Crafty Makeover
Hobby-Nurturing Spaces for Enthusiasts of All Kinds
If you have serious coffee drinkers in the house, you might want to consider a coffee room. An oversized wardrobe or old pantry would work great as a coffee space. You just need enough space for a coffee maker, storage and ideally a water source. An added bonus would be a small refrigerator for afternoon tea and milk.
YOUR TURN
Show us how you’ve transformed a room. Include a high-resolution photograph in the comments section below.
MORE
Transform Your Guest Room Into a Relaxing Retreat
Stickybeak of the Week: A Junk Room Gets a Crafty Makeover
Hobby-Nurturing Spaces for Enthusiasts of All Kinds
Related Stories
Lifestyle
10 Simple Additions to Step Up Your Workout Zone
Make your home-workout zone a space that inspires you to get your sweat on
Full Story
Healthy Home
Key Things to Consider When Carving Out Exercise Space at Home
Time to step up your fitness program? Read these tips on how to create a great home-workout space you'll love using
Full Story
Most Popular
The Importance of Colour During Your Child's Early Years
Why colourful kids' spaces not only look great, but are an important factor in your child’s development, even from birth
Full Story
Building
Best of the Week: 29 Sensational Joinery Ideas
It is simply amazing what can be done with timber. Here, ideas that will inspire you to get creative with wood
Full Story
Storage
An Expert Reveals What You Need to Know About Custom Cabinetry
Thinking of splashing out on made-to-measure joinery? An expert reveals how to get the best bang for your buck
Full Story
Organising
Boost Your Creativity With a Decluttered Desk
By Amy Revell
If sitting at your desk no longer inspires creative and productive work, seize the day and clear the clutter
Full Story
Decorating By Style
Best of the Week: Man Caves From Around the World
To celebrate Father's Day, we've gathered together a selection of fabulous spaces Dad is sure to love
Full Story
Living Rooms
Why Your Home Needs a Pair of Vintage Armchairs
By Laura Wheat
Deliver a double dose of style by trying this easy interior design device
Full Story
Laundries
10 Laundries With a Hint of Luxe
By Anne Ellard
Here are some clever ways to introduce a touch of luxury into the hardest-working room in the house
Full Story
Dining Rooms
No Room for a Dining Table? Think Again
By Joanna Tovia
A table and chairs can be squeezed into the smallest of homes with a little ingenuity
Full Story
Swathi Anup, if you're into reading, I'd suggest a little entryway reading area: bookcases that are warm and inviting, a really cozy armchair, a lamp, and maybe a small table with flowers.
Or a conversation area with 2 small couches facing each other, with music playing in the background, and/or a small faux fireplace that is high quality and pretty.