Empty Nest? How to make the Best use of Extra Space you may now have in your Home

Create a Home Office

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

If you are suddenly finding yourself with extra space in your home, one thing you can do with it is create a home office. Having a space in your home that is dedicated to getting work done, wether that be for your job or for the home, can be such a fantastic addition. Here are a couple of photos from our personal office space. We wanted to make sure that it was a space that would fit our needs as well as inspire creativity!

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Make it a Guest Room

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One great way to utilize extra space in your house is to make it into a guest room. Having a space for your guests to stay when they come in town is such a great thing to be able to offer. It is a fantastic way to make your friends and family feel welcome in your home. A couple of nice things to have in your guest room is a framed copy of the wifi password for their use, as well as a tray with things like freshly folded towels and a water for them.

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Turn it into a Craft Space

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For all of you crafters out there who do not have the space in your home to keep all of your projects and materials, we feel your pain! If you are lucky enough to have some extra space come available in your home, turning it into a craft space is a wonderful way to make the most of it. These are some photos of how others have made their craft room dreams into a reality!

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Home Offices: How to Make them Decorative and Functional

Create Effective Storage 

To create a functional home office it is important to have adequate storage options throughout the space. Both open and closed storage is ideal to have so you are able to easily access items you use the most and the rest can be tucked away. One great way to accomplish this is with built ins. These will allow you to have both closed cabinet storage, as well as open shelving. Another way to create functional storage is with a free standing shelving unit. You can add baskets for the items you wish to be hidden and have the rest open.

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Add Personal Touches 

Adding personal touches throughout your home office is another great way to create a decorative and functional space. Just because the area is designated for work, does not mean it needs to be dull or boring. Adding items like family photos in frames, artwork, and pieces with your favorite colors throughout the space will create a positive environment for you to happily work in. 

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Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Maximize your Lighting

Lighting is important in every room of your home but it is especially important in your home office. No matter what type of work you are doing, good lighting is vital in a workspace. When choosing which room or space to make your home office, choose one with the most natural lighting. The last thing anyone wants to do is work in a dark space. If you do not have the luxury of great natural light in your space, add overhead as well as lamp and task lighting anywhere that you can. 

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The art of a home office

I was perusing Pinterest the other day.  At this point, you’re thinking, “again with the Pinterest”.  I know, I know.  I just can’t take my eyes away from this site!  It offers so much inspiration and great ideas for future projects.  This time I got sucked in by home offices.  It can be really tricky to carve out a space in your home designated for work.  Sometimes there isn’t a lot of spare room and you end up shoving a desk in corner of the living room or guest bedroom.  Personally, I can’t work in a cluttered space so these photos were a breath of fresh air.

 Photo from veronabrit.blogspot.com

A true working office that capitalizes on the height of the room by building in storage shelves.

 Photo from Young House Love

A window with a view makes this corner space feel larger. 

I’m always tempted to paint my office walls a bold color but I know softer shades are a more conducive work environment for me.  The soft rose and warm straw color in these pictures are pretty and not too bland.

This home office is the most creative use of space I have seen!  Take an underutilized closet or reading nook and turn it into a functional space.  Genius!

 Photo from bostondesignguide.com