Oh, it’s certainly been a long time coming. As empty nesters, now that you and your spouse finally have the house all to yourselves, you can start thinking about options when it comes to remodeling any spare bedrooms.
With the kids off to college, you can use the extra space to do pretty much anything you want. Indeed, you have a ton of options, and making any and all decisions really boils down to your lifestyle and preferences.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Themed Bedrooms
Themed bedrooms are becoming more and more popular as options for transforming spare bedrooms into whole other worlds. Think about it. A room transformed into an outer space adventure or a beachside vacation can reinvigorate a once boring space. Here’s how you can create your own themed bedroom.
Step 1 – Decide on a Theme: Whether you decide to go with an ocean/beach theme or an outer space theme, you need to stick to one. Discuss it with your spouse and figure out exactly what you’ll do with the room. That way, you can choose the right accessories.
Step 2 – Choose Your Accessories: Once you’ve decided on a theme, choose the appropriate accessories. For example, if you go the beach route, you might elect to get some beach-themed wall art, a carpet that resembles the color of sand and some curtains featuring creatures you’d find in the ocean (like starfish, whales and dolphins). You can also go for a more sophisticated feel with striped pillows, a jute rug and ocean photography.
Step 3 – Find the Right Wallpaper or Paint Color: Look for either themed wallpaper or a paint color that soothes. Light or dark blue works well with the right accessories. You can also do striped wallpaper or plain white.
2. Airbnb Guest Room
Ever wanted to run your own bed and breakfast without the added cost? Now is your chance to do so by becoming an Airbnb super host and transforming your spare bedroom into an Airbnb guest’s dream.
Step 1 – Get a Comfy Bed: Your guests are likely coming to your residence on vacation and understandably want to relax — and not on your kids’ rickety old beds. Instead, roll out the red carpet for your guests and give them the royal treatment by replacing any old mattress with one that’s firm, yet soft. Dress it up with soft linens and a comforter set that matches your theme.
Step 2 – Clean the House: If you’re renting out more than just one room, take a mop and broom to your floors and a vacuum to any carpeted areas; after all, you want your home to truly sparkle for your guests, as well as elicit positive reviews to attract more future visitors.
Step 3 – Replace Any Outdated or Worn Furniture: If some of your furniture has seen better days, it’s probably best you update your décor and replace those old, worn-out items. Once you know what needs replacing, start shopping for your new furniture.
3. Craft Room
Are you a crafty person who’s been itching to transform your spare room into a dream craft room? Well, now’s the time to start considering your options. Now that you have the space, create the craft room you’ve always wanted. Here’s how:
Step 1 – Get Organized with Storage Containers: When building your craft room, you’ll find it helps to organize your supplies, so you know where everything is when you need it. That means stocking up on all kinds of storage containers, like bins, boxes, cabinets, shelves, jars, cubbies and anything else you’ll need to organize your supplies.
Step 2 – Find an Appropriately Sized Table: You’ll also need a workspace once everything is organized, and a table is a perfect place for crafts. Find a table that’s both sturdy and has plenty of tabletop space, and choose one that’s either round, square or rectangular — whatever works best for you.
Step 3 – Create Your Stations: You’ll likely want a sewing station and a wrapping area for when the holidays roll around. Determine what other kinds of stations you’ll need (and whether you have the space for them) by prioritizing what’s most important.
4. Home Office
If you run a business from home or plan to start one sometime soon, creating a home office from scratch can help you do so efficiently. Set up your home office by following these simple steps:
Step 1 – Find a Desk and Chair: What’s your style? Are you more of a cherry wood person or do you prefer a sleek black finish? Whatever your flavor, choose a desk that matches the rest of your decor and fits the size of your workspace.
Step 2 – Find Your Perfect Lighting: If your spare bedroom doesn’t have great natural light, find a lamp to place on your desk so that you always have ample lighting and can remain productive.
Step 3 – Find a Bookcase: You’ll also need a place to store important reference materials and books related to your industry. Find a bookcase that showcases your individual, unique style as well as complements your office space and the rest of your furniture.
Home Transformation is Truly in Your Hands
Figuring out what to do with your empty spare bedroom can be tricky, especially if you and your spouse don’t exactly agree. But with the above in mind, you can start narrowing down your options and deciding what furniture you’ll need to complete your project.
Whether you want to become an Airbnb host, or simply create a themed room, home office or craft room, finding the right furniture and accessories is essential if you want your room to be both functional and fun.