Life, Styled
You moved into a house that allows you to have an extra bedroom, or maybe the kids have finally left, and you have a spare room, but now what? We would all agree that it is nice to have a spare bedroom, but should it be a guest bedroom, craft room, home gym, or something else entirely? Extra space is a good thing, but if it goes to waste, it has no value. Take the time to evaluate what you need and what could benefit you the most. A good plan yields excellent results and a space that will benefit you now and add value to your home later. Let’s explore some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
Playroom
No one ever wants to hinder the kids from having fun or using their imaginations to create incredible adventures, but it can be hard to overlook when it leaves the living room unrecognizable. This is where a designed playroom comes in handy. Not only can the kids feel free to let their imaginations soar, but you don’t have to worry about the mess they make because you simply close the door. Some things you might want to include would be a bookcase, a little seating area, and a toy box, all the essentials for a great playtime.
Home Office
As many work from home, this is becoming more of a need than a want. If you struggle to find the perfect spot for your office away from the office, your spare room may be just what you need. With a window to keep track of the weather and a door to minimize the noise, the solution to your much-needed workspace is closer than you realize. Don’t forget to include ample lighting, a charging station, and a place to organize your supplies.
Family Room
We all love coming home and relaxing with the family, but sometimes that means the living room gets a little messy before bedtime, and if you are like many, you would prefer not to wake up to that mess the following morning. Utilizing the spare bedroom as the family gathering room is an excellent option since it allows everyone to still hang out without the pressure of having to clean up immediately, because you simply close the door before bed. Add a TV, some comfy seating, and you will have the perfect place for everyone to relax and make memories without worrying about a surprise guest seeing the mess.
Home Gym
A spare room can be an excellent area to build the home gym you’ve been dreaming of for months. There is plenty of space for weight lifts, a treadmill, and whatever else you want to include in your new gym. Try adding a few full-length mirrors on the wall so you can watch your form and keep track of your progress. When the weather is bad, or you just need a few minutes to get out the stress of work, your personal gym is just a few steps away, and no hidden membership fees.
Craft Room
Hobbies are a wonderful thing, but we understand that they can’t be done in one sitting, usually, which means the materials need to be left out. Turning a spare bedroom into a fantastic craft room can not only make you feel better because the mess is hidden, but also give you room to motivate your creativity. Add a pegboard to one wall to organize your tools, supplies, and ideas. Storage bins and a work surface are also a must to provide you with the best space to dream.
Guest Suite
We love having people over, but sometimes knowing where they will sleep can be difficult. Instead of moving onto the couch so they can have the master bedroom, why not take that spare room and turn it into the perfect guest retreat? Please include a little seating area so that your guests can have a little place to call their own in the morning or evening to unwind for a moment by themselves. This gives everyone a little space without risking hurting anyone’s feelings or putting someone out.
Mini Library
Are books your great love? Do you struggle to find a place to store everything instead of having it scattered throughout the house? That spare room could become the dream library you always wanted. Lining the walls with custom bookshelves means you can easily find your favorite book to read again or add a few more to your collection. Don’t forget to include a little spot where you can curl up under a blanket with plenty of light to enjoy some time feeding your soul.
Study Room
Whether you have kids who have homework or you are taking some online classes, having a quiet and adequate place to study is a must. Most of us would say we dread using the kitchen or dining room table because of the mess and multiple distractions that happen there. The spare room is a great option. Adding a few desks and chairs, a place to put papers that are due, and a place to put completed papers, and painting the room a calming color can create a space that is conducive to learning.
Recording Studio
Are you a budding artist who wishes you had your own recording studio? Think no further—your spare room can be turned into exactly what you need. Set up your equipment and leave room for a few friends to join you. Make memories, explore your creativity, and maybe launch a new career.
Game Room
Family game night is one of the best ways to have fun with the people you care about, and there is nothing better than having a room entirely dedicated to fun. Include a large table, plenty of comfy seats, easy-to-clean flooring in case those snacks get out of hand, and lots of storage to hold those games. Creating a space where everyone can gather and make memories is a significant investment and ensures many fun evenings ahead. Look here to see some other things you can do with a spare room.
Walker WoodworkingOne of the main questions asked during the design meeting is what color the owners want for their kitchen cabinets. Were they looking to do a natural wood or a color instead? While many will opt to do the wood, many enjoy adding a splash of color to their kitchen or mixing and matching. It is a great way to break up the area and create a focal point, but with so many options available, how do you know which one is right for you? While it is up to you in the end, there are three colors that have stood out for some time and will most likely continue to do so. White, gray, and blue remain high on the selection chart, so let’s talk about these popular colors and why they may be the right fit for you.
Walker WoodworkingWhile the kitchen was often viewed as the place where food was merely prepped and served, it has transitioned into a command center as people gather to talk or enjoy a snack while getting some work done. Layouts have slowly shifted to accommodate this change, which has produced the open concept. This floor plan allows families to stay connected even when they are doing things in different areas of the home. While not as popular as it was in the 1990s and early 2000s, many families still choose this floor plan because of their desire to stay close to their family and guests. Today, we want to discuss the open floor concept, the elements that make it up, and if it is the right fit for your family.
Greenbrook DesignYou have just waved goodbye to your last child as they head out to college. While you adjust to not having kids in the house, you also begin to realize that you now have more space, but you’re not sure what to do with it. There are many ways to reuse the space, expand existing spaces, or make room for something new. Let’s take a look at the design possibilities available to you.
In the second of our three-part series on selection tips, we want to focus on tile. Backsplash, shower walls, and flooring are just a few of the many uses for tile since it is beautiful, durable, and timeless. Sometimes considered a small part of the design, it has the potential to make a big impact on the design. Here are some helpful tips when choosing tile.
While cabinets tend to be the focal point of the main spaces, such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is the details that add the final touch to the design. The selection process can be one of the highlights of the design phase, but it can also be overwhelming with multiple styles, colors, and options. In this three-part series, we want to give our best tips for the top three categories of selections and help make this as enjoyable and simple as possible. Our focus today is hardware.
Greenbrook Design