Room to spare

A few ideas for making the most of unused space

Already have a home office or a guest bedroom, but there’s still some empty space to fill in your home? Here are a few suggestions for making the most of a spare room.

Pet room

This is especially useful if you’re trying to sell a home. Give your dogs, cats, or other pets a place to congregate, which will lower their usage of other rooms and help keep pet-related clutter (or destruction!) confined to one place.

Library or music room

It’s easy to fall into the habit of gathering around the TV every night. Place some comfy furniture in your spare room and create a space where you can enjoy your favorite music or a good read without competition from the television.

Home gym or yoga studio

Instead of spending money on a monthly gym membership, you can put those fitness center dues toward gradually building your own personal workout space. Add a good stereo, a TV, and some mirrors, and your home will become your favorite place to work out.

Game room

Find an old Pac Man arcade game on Craigslist or eBay, add a foosball or pool table, and set up a TV for video games. The room will be a hit when you’ve got guests over—especially for the kids.
Share