How to Make Better Use of Your Spare Room

By :- Kate, On August 29, 2013 in ::-Uncategorized

A spare room in a house or flat generally acts as a guestroom for visitors. Having a functional spare room, whether it is geared to a specific task or hobby or is a multi-purpose space, adds value and versatility to any home or apartment.

Getting started

The most difficult thing about transforming a spare room is deciding how it will be used, while maintaining the guestroom aspect. Once the purpose for the room has been identified, draw up a plan for re-decorating and re-design. Pull together a budget and choose where to splurge and where to save; for example, up-cycle and re-purpose items for most of the room and spend more on a deluxe sofa bed or ergonomic chair

Home office decorating

Turning a spare room into a home office is a great direction to go and is very popular with buyers and renters when the time comes to move. Even a small spare room may be fitted-out as a home office, though much depends on the amount of storage needed, though a desk and the best office chair are necessities, of course. The desk should be positioned as close to a window as possible, both for lighting and for the eye-saving distraction of being able to look outside. Speaking of windows, it might be a good idea to get some Window Shades installed to help block out the light when it’s too bright. Don’t get something too dark, as the room still needs to be nice and colorful!

Storage may be approached in a variety of ways depending on space and room layout. If little paperwork or reference documents are needed, a simple filing cabinet may suffice. Hanging shelves can be a good way of storing greater amounts while leaving floor space for furniture, such as a sofa bed. When it comes to colours, clean and subdued is the key. Such a colour scheme will create a professional look and atmosphere, while still providing a pleasant looking room for relaxing and resting in. Pale yellow is a popular choice, as is white.

Other spare room options

Another option might be to turn the room into a walk-in dressing room. Allow enough space for a chair-bed, single bed or truckle bed along one wall, while the remaining walls may be filled with cupboards and storage shelves. Colours should be muted and soothing, nothing highly patterned or too bright. The addition of curtains or Kelly Hoppen shutters to hide the shelves and cupboards is a decorative way to easily prepare the room for a guest, while still leaving everything accessible.

A spare room could be turned into a reading room, a mini-library retreat for the book lover. Of course, this requires ample shelf-space for books. Bookshelves may be used to divide the room, allowing the guest area to remain in place, whilst seating for reading and relaxation can be put to use. A reading room can also be combined with a music room, furnished with wood piano benches and other essentials, and offering a selection of entertainment options that soothe and rejuvenate the senses. The senses should be kept in mind when decorating this room and colours such as deep green, chocolate brown and claret red are excellent choices.

Finally, the spare room may make an excellent playroom for children. Include lots of shelving and storage, all bolted to the wall for safety. Some curtaining across the shelves to hide the inevitable disarray, a sofa bed and a charming blue or green colour palette will complete the room.