Guest Article by Laura May, Digital Editor of Just Another Magazine

Spare rooms can offer some really useful extra space, but a lot of the time they end up just being used as storage for all the things we don’t use very often. If you’re ready to give your spare room a big update this season and turn it into space you use all the time, then here are some ideas to get you started.

Declutter your guest room

Spare rooms are commonly used as guest rooms, but if the bed has become a dumping ground for clean laundry or you’ve filled it up with boxes then it’s time to reclaim it and make the most of the space of the room.

Start by decluttering the room — get rid of the things you really never use and find permanent homes for the things you want to keep.

It’s a good idea to create plenty of storage space in a guest room so that it’s useful even when you don’t have guests. Consider investing in a bed that includes a space underneath so that you can store bedding, towels, or coats that you’re not using inside it.

Give the room a fresh coat of paint in a light neutral color to make it feel more open and spacious. And then add some finishing touches in a bright shade for some color accents — a few pillows, throws, and a lamp. Not only will this make the room feel cozy for your guests, but if it looks fresh and tidy you’ll be less likely to start piling stuff up in there again.

Turn it into a home office

If you’ve been working remotely from the kitchen table or your living room, then why not update your spare room and turn it into a dedicated home office. Invest in a suitable desk, adjustable chair, and create the perfect set up to help you stay focused while working from home. If space is tight or you still want room for guests to stay then choose a stand-up desk, or a floating desk that folds away.

It can really help to maintain a better work-life balance if you’ve got a separate space to work in during the day and then you can close the door to your home office and switch off in the evenings.

Add some motivational prints to the walls that help inspire you and buy a couple of house plants for your desk to purify the air and bring the space to life.

Even if you’re not working from home, setting up a desk could be a good way to add value to your property if you’re considering selling in the near future. A home office is one of the key things that buyers are looking for at the moment. So consider finding a local realtor to talk to using REALTOR.ca, or use Breezeful to find a professional mortgage broker in your area so you can understand how much value a home office can add.  

Create a walk-in wardrobe

Transform your spare room into the perfect walk-in wardrobe. You can add floor-to-ceiling storage solutions, such as clothing rails attached to the ceiling, built-in wardrobes and cupboards, and shelving for all your shoes. If you’ve got specific storage requirements then it could be worth finding a carpenter using a site like Bark to discuss bespoke furniture for your spare room.

With the right storage, you’ll still have plenty of space to use your spare room as a guest bedroom. But otherwise, you could turn it into a full dressing room. Invest in a full-length mirror, a dressing table, and a comfy chair to sit down and get ready in. Paint a feature wall in a bold color behind the dressing table to make a statement, and then add some finishing touches like a lamp and a smaller mirror for the table.

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Make a creative space

If you don’t need to use your spare room as a home office, then turn it into a workspace for your hobbies.

Set yourself up with a craft room that has everything you need. Pick out a large desk with a solid surface that’s easy to clean up and resistant to stains. Add plenty of smaller drawers around the desk so there are places to store all your bits and pieces that you need close at hand.

It’s a good idea to add adjustable shelving systems so that you can change things around when you need to store different things. Or turn one whole wall of the spare room into storage with drawers, cupboards, and shelves, so that everything has a place and the room looks tidy and organized. A noticeboard is also useful for pinning up to-do lists and inspiration and photos.

By following these tips and turning your spare room into a useful, functional space you’ll get a lot more out of it than just an extra storage area.

Guest Article by Laura May, Digital Editor of Just Another Magazine

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