It’s not uncommon to end up with a vacant room for various reasons, such as when a child moves out and their room becomes available, or when a roommate leaves, leaving the room empty.
While many people feel it would be a waste to leave an empty room as it is, they’re often unsure of how to make use of it.
In this article, we’ll introduce six practical ways to repurpose a spare room. If you’ve been wondering how to make effective use of an empty room, be sure to use this article as a reference.
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Idea ① Home office
One great way to make use of a spare room is by turning it into a home office where you can focus on remote work or personal projects. Creating a calm environment will help you concentrate better and work more efficiently.
You can create an easy-to-use space by installing a bookshelf along one wall and arranging storage around the desk in an ingenious way. It is also a good idea to unify the interior in calming colors and use indirect lighting to create a comfortable atmosphere.
The key to storing things in your home office is to use a mix of visible and concealed storage. For example, you can install bookshelves on the upper part of the wall for visible storage, while using cabinets on the lower part for concealed storage. This helps keep the room tidy and well-organized.
Idea ② Hobby room
Having a dedicated space where you can fully enjoy your hobbies can add color and joy to your daily life. By turning a spare room into a hobby room, you’ll be able to freely arrange your tools and creations as you like, which can boost your creativity and motivation.
For example, if you love reading, you can install a bookshelf and place a comfortable chair to create a relaxing space. If your hobbies include listening to music or playing instruments, it’s important to have proper soundproofing in place to ensure the space is suitable.
Recommended hobby room ideas:
- A golf room where you can practice your swing at home
- A dedicated reading room that feels like a mini library
- A training room equipped with exercise equipment
- A maintenance room for hobbies like surfing or cycling
- A dedicated space for listening to music or playing instruments
Idea ③ Walk-in closet
If you’re a fashion enthusiast, turning a spare room into a walk-in closet is a great option. Even with limited space, a bit of creativity can transform the room into a stylish and functional storage area.
Choose a layout for your closet based on the shape of the room, such as I-shaped, L-shaped, II-shaped, or U-shaped. For smaller spaces, I-shaped or L-shaped layouts are ideal, while U-shaped layouts are more suitable for larger rooms.
Installing open wardrobes along the walls allows you to see your clothes and accessories at a glance, making outfit coordination easier. Furthermore, by combining it with hanger racks and shelves, you can significantly increase your storage capacity. Storing your favorite pieces as if they were on display will make getting dressed every day more fun.
Idea ④ Dedicated home theater
If you want to enjoy movies and music to your heart’s content, turning a spare room into a dedicated home theater is highly recommended. To create a comfortable and high-quality home theater, there are several considerations to keep in mind.
First, choose a projector and screen that match the size of the room and the viewing distance. Additionally, carefully placing your speakers and adjusting the acoustics will enhance the realism and depth of the audio.
For soundproofing, consider using soundproof curtains, acoustic panels, and noise-reducing mats to prevent sound from leaking out. Moreover, you can expect effective soundproofing by incorporating soundproofing materials into the walls, floors, and ceilings of the room.
To recreate the cozy atmosphere of a real cinema, try to incorporate indirect lighting with dimming functions. When watching movies or videos, if the screen is bright and the surroundings are pitch black, your eyes will get tired as they constantly try to adapt to the difference in brightness.
By incorporating indirect lighting with dimming functions to keep the room slightly bright, you can reduce the brightness gap and ease the strain on your eyes, creating a more comfortable space.
Idea ⑤ Guest room
If you often have guests over, turning your spare room into a guest room is another great option. A guest room is a space in your home designed for close friends or relatives to stay overnight. It is a room designed to ensure privacy and comfort for guests coming from far away.
Sofa beds, which can be used both as a couch and a bed, are especially popular for guest rooms because they can be used flexibly even in a small room. If you don’t have much space but would like a twin bedroom setup, consider using short-length or semi-single beds to make the most of the room.
Furthermore, coordinating the room with fabrics in soft, neutral tones can create a calm interior and a relaxing atmosphere. To create a guest room where your guests can truly unwind, soft-colored fabrics with a pleasant texture are highly recommended.
Idea ⑥ Multipurpose room
If you have an empty room, consider boldly turning it into a completely open space with nothing in it. By intentionally leaving out furniture, you can create a spacious area perfect for yoga, stretching, or light exercise. Placing a large mirror inside also allows for dance practice or checking your posture.
Another idea is to turn it into a flexible “multipurpose room” that the whole family can use, such as a play area for children during the day and a relaxing space at night.
Alternatively, it can also be used as an indoor drying space for laundry. This can be especially useful in condominiums where it’s difficult to dry futons on the balcony or when you don’t have a place to hang laundry on rainy days. In such cases, setting up a drying area in the empty room is a great option. If you install an air conditioner or dehumidifier, you can dry your laundry indoors without any problems.
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※ Depending on the contract terms and screening results, a security deposit may be required.
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Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.
I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.
We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.
I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.