How to Add a New Room to Your Home – No Addition Required!
Are you currently letting valuable space go to waste in your home? While having an extra room for storage may seem convenient, it's time to explore the countless possibilities that lie within those unused spaces.
The best part about this project is that you’ll simply be getting creative with space you already have. And while you're in the midst of spring cleaning your home, why not add that extra room to your to-do list? It's the perfect time to breathe new life into your living spaces!
Here are just a few different uses for under utilized areas of your home:
Recreation Room
Home Office
Walk-in Closet
Playroom
Recreation Room
When my teenager said that she wanted a hang out area for her and her friends, I was determined to bring her vision to life. Converting our unused garage into a rec room has proven to be a game-changer! Now, Friday nights at home are more enjoyable and fun thanks to the perfect space we had to spare - our garage!
Yes, that’s right! We turned our garage into the ultimate kids zone. Take a look:
To get the right vibe for the lounge-slash-game room, we went with a darker palette for the furniture, with pops of red, orange, and purple for decor and appliances. Our first step was clearing out the clutter and painting the walls a sleek black. Then, we upgraded the floors with epoxy and installed a wall organization system, in order to keep our bikes and sports gear organized.
The lounge area includes a comfortable sectional, large screen TV, gaming console, and a ping pong table, which is a huge hit. We chose a ping pong table as our “centerpiece”, but here are some other great options:
Pool table
Air hockey table
Pinball machines (for nostalgia purposes!)
Foosball table
My favorite area would have to be the popcorn station – I just love the cute popcorn tins that I found on Amazon for $10.99. They are perfect for family movie nights!
Our kids and their friends love hanging out in the lounge, which gives us parents some much-needed space and sanity in our main living areas. This was the best use of our space, for our family. Of course, your needs might be a little different! Keep reading for other ways you can transform an extra room in your home!
Home Office
Photo: Lindye Galloway
Even if you’re going into the office more this year, a home office is always a good idea! Creating a separate space that you will enjoy working in, with minimal distractions, is the best way to boost your productivity.
Necessities for your office include:
Work station
Built-in bookshelves
Storage space or filing cabinets
Additional outlets
Here are some helpful tips to consider when designing:
Try to locate your desk next to a window to receive plenty of natural light.
Add artwork and pops of color – anything to reflect your personality!
Invest in high quality, comfortable furniture, especially your desk chair. (The Verve chair from Branch was voted one of the in Wired.)
Walk-in Closet
Photo: Elle Decor
Why should Carrie Bradshaw have all the fun? You deserve a walk-in closet, too! Rather than storing old holiday decorations in your spare room, add in built-in shelving and a vanity to create a space for much more than storing your clothing.
My top tips when planning your design:
Always measure your space to be sure that your shelving and storage solutions will fit well in your closet.
Keep everyday use items within reach, and keep like items together to cut down on searching.
Designate top shelves as overflow storage to keep rarely used items, seasonal clothing, or luggage.
Include a wide variety of storage options for folded sweaters, accessories, or shoes. Drawers and closet organizers keep accessories neatly sorted, while shelves are more ideal for storing shoes.
Choose cabinets with glass doors if you want to showcase your favorite pieces.
Playroom
Photo: Sugar & Cloth
Photo: Better Homes & Gardens
If you have kids, then consider transforming extra space into a playroom for the little ones. You may not be able to fully eliminate the chaos, but adding in a playroom will limit where the toys are stored.
Photo: Pehr Pom Pom Basket
The key to creating the perfect playroom is to keep it simple. Include age-appropriate, developmental toys for your child’s age group, and have plenty of storage ready for cleanup time.
Don’t stress about keeping the room super pristine – a mess is inevitable when kids are involved! The right shelves and baskets will help to minimize the overflow of toys:
For great, local decor in New Jersey, try Just a Dream in Livingston or Pottery Barn Kids in Short Hills, NJ.
Now that you know all of the possible ways to add a new room to your home without any additions, time to get started!
In addition to NJ real estate, I also offer consulting services about what buyers are looking for, from finishes to floor plans. I’ve worked in the real estate industry for over 15 years, and my list of contacts is extensive. So, if you need any help when revamping your extra rooms, feel free to reach out – I can share my best recommendations in the New Jersey area!
