Middle age brings big ch-ch-changes (I should know, I've been here a while). Sure, some of these changes are difficult (hot flashes and bifocals, for example), but some are exciting. Shifting circumstances—like retirement, divorce, and kids moving out—give you a chance to re-invent yourself and your home. This is the first in a three-part series that looks at how your home can better support you as your next chapter takes shape.
Empty Nest = A New Room!
For those of us with children, one of the most shocking midlife changes is when our little darlings leave the nest. Sure, you'll miss them . . . but you now have an entire additional room to make into anything you want!
Before you rush off to buy a Peleton (or even a gallon of paint), stop and ask yourself some questions.
How often will your child(ren) come home?
If your kid has just left for college, chances are they will be home for holiday breaks and at least a couple of summers. That means they still need a place to sleep and keep their clothes . . . but that does NOT mean you have to keep their room exactly the same!
Do you have many out-of-town guests? If so, where do they stay now?
If you have regular guests and they usually have to sleep on the pullout couch in the living room, you might want to convert at least part of your kid's room into a guest room.
Do you work from home?
If you've been working from your dining room table, this is the perfect opportunity to finally have a home office, where you can have zoom meetings behind closed doors.
What hobbies/activities do you enjoy that you'd like to make more space for?
Maybe you knit, sew or draw, and you'd love space to spread out your materials and create in peace. Perhaps you work out at home and need room for your yoga mat and weights. Or maybe you've always dreamed of a home library, where you can curl up in a cozy reading chair and get lost in a book. Your new room could be ideal for any of these purposes. One caveat here: be realistic, and plan around hobbies and activities you already participate in! If you aren't a regular exerciser right now, chances are that converting the room into a home gym won't magically make you into a fitness fanatic. Creating an art studio because you've "always wanted to paint" (but never have) might end up being more aspirational than realistic.
After thinking through your options, you will probably find that your room needs to serve more than one function. Your former kid's room probably needs to become a multi-purpose room. Here are some common options:
Guest room/Home office
Depending on your available space and your needs, you might make the primary function the guest room with a regular size bed, and add a desk for light office work. This will be best if your kids will still be using the room for regular visits, or you have guests fairly often.
Or, you might make your work set-up the priority, and fit in a smaller bed, like a daybed or twin bed with a trundle. This set-up is more limiting for use as a guest room, since it's a single-size bed (although you can get a version with a trundle to accommodate another person).
Of course, sofabeds are always a great option in this combo, because the sofa can be used every day, even if the bed is rarely used. However, this is not the best choice if you have regular guests or your kids will use the room often.
Guest room/Craft space
Much like the home office combination, you can make your crafting space the major part of the room, or make secondary to the sleeping function. The key in a craft space is making the best use of vertical storage to keep your floor space free for the bed/sofabed, as you see here.
Guest room/Library
Gosh I love the sight of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. Just tuck a cozy daybed infront of one and you've got a space that will lull anyone off to sleep! Sources: left, right
Office/Exercise Room
Most bedrooms are big enough to easily combine these two functions. Think of an imaginary line running down the center of the room, then put your desk and shelves on one side, and your exercise equipment on the other. Again, you'll need to make the most of vertical storage to keep floor space available, as seen in these examples.
Source 1, originally on @whitney.jo.at.home
What will YOU do with your new available space? Let me know in the comments!
This is a fantastic piece and PERFECT for where I am in my life right now. Thank you!