Kids Moved Out? Here’s What to do with Their Rooms

Six ideas to make use of your new space

The day your last (or only) child moves out to go to college or to live in their own home can be bittersweet. On the one hand, you will almost certainly be a little sad to see them go, but you’ll also probably be excited for the new chapter in their lives.

The other bright spot is now you have some new real estate to play with. While you may want to keep the rooms exactly how your kids left them for a while, complete with stuffed animals, sports trophies, and posters of their favorite bands, eventually you might decide to repurpose the space. Here are some ideas to think about:

A more sophisticated kid’s room

Your kids will surely come to visit for holidays, parties, or just for a weekend, so instead of completely dismantling their rooms, you could leave a few mementos and create a more grown-up environment. This could involve painting or put up wallpaper and perhaps upgrade the furniture.

Guest room

If your guests have had to sleep on couches, air mattresses, or maybe even the floor, that can of course change. Now you can get creative in turning an empty room into a space your guests will love. The plus side: You can still use the closet for extra storage.

Home office

Working from home can be tough without a dedicated workspace. If you’ve spent years toiling away from a desk crammed into your bedroom, or perhaps using a laptop on the kitchen or dining room table, that newly vacated room has office written all over it.

A room for your hobby

Is there something you’ve always liked to do in your spare time or perhaps you’ve picked up a new hobby? Whether it’s sewing, scrapbooking, writing, or anything else, instead of trying to find a place to do it, now you can dedicate an entire room to it.

A workout room

Finally decided to get in better shape? Don’t join an expensive gym; just create one at home. A newly-emptied room is a perfect place for a treadmill or exercise bike or even just a spot where you can do Pilates or yoga.

Man cave

Fellas: This one’s for you. If you’ve been waiting for a room to open up so you can stock it with a big TV and perhaps some plush seating, now you have the perfect opportunity. Adding a bar or pool table will make it a fun room to hang out in even if there aren’t any games to watch.

Once the kiddies are gone, you may have fun putting a new room together, but you may also come to the conclusion that you just don’t want or need all of the extra space. In that case, it could be time to think about downsizing to a smaller home. To see what’s available in the Naples area, contact Dante Disabato. Tell him what you’re looking for and he’ll help you find a great home at the perfect size for your lifestyle. Give us a call at 239-537-5351 or just fill out our online form.