Blog
New Year, new room?
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Firstly decide on what space you need to create, whether it’s a home office, gym or studio; somewhere to store your book collection, or learn to play the piano? Even if every room in your home is being used, you may be able to find space in your home that you can arrange more efficiently thereby getting maximum use from your precious square footage. You may need to make structural changes or just repurpose an underused room. Either way, consider storage, lighting and electricity as well as décor to complete the transformation.
A quiet room: You may have resolved to be relax more and be stress free, in which case somewhere to meditate or just think things through would be ideal; somewhere calm, free of clutter and technology with comfy seating and a relaxing view from the window.
A studio: If you’re taking up a hobby, a studio doesn’t need to be big, just full of natural light. Arrange a comfortable chair and a desk or easel by the window. Keep décor neutral and include storage space for craft supplies.
A music room: If you are a musician or just like to listen to music without the need for headphones, it’s a real treat to have a dedicated music room. Incorporate rugs, curtains and soft furnishings to help with sound buffering and storage for speakers, amplifiers and instruments.
A library: Is your guilty pleasure the chance to hide away and read a good book? Even the smallest area such as a window seat or alcove can become a reading nook with comfortable seating and lighting. If you have a dining room that is underused, consider lining the walls with bookshelves and converting the space into a library. A desk or writing area will finish the room and double as a study space; with multipurpose furniture it could even revert to a dining room when required!
The most common use for a repurposed room is as an office or a gym and there are many online companies with extensive ideas for furnishing and equipping these. Either is likely to require significant investment, so before you splash out on all the kit, weigh up the cost and practicality versus a gym membership or rented office space, which can be cost effective as well as offering social contact.
Whether you're repurposing a room or knocking down walls to create space, your home is a reflection of what you value and how you live. By making sure that every room is really being used you’ll get even more satisfaction from your resolutions and enjoy a happier new year!
