Embracing the Unexpected: Turning Formal Spaces into Playful Havens
I never thought I’d say this, but we turned our formal living room into a playroom! You know what they say… never say never 😉 It all started when I realized that our formal living space had been widely unused for the past nine years. We spend most of our time in the family room, which is right next to this formal living area. I was always hesitant to change it, as it’s the first space you see through the front door. But with two kiddos at home now, our need for a larger play area was something I couldn’t ignore.
When designing this space, I wanted it to feel like an extension of our home rather than a separate entity or kid space. To achieve this, I opted for neutral, minimalistic furniture and a sophisticated toy storage solution. These cabinets and baskets are perfect for holding the boys’ toys, and they also look chic and organized! We LOVE how it all came together. Everything from the comfortable wool rug, storage bins, play table and chairs, easel, kids lounger, and canvas play tent have been the perfect additions to the space. Not only are they aesthetic, but they set a foundation for play, exploration, and family bonding.
We spend so much time in here each day, and my only regret is not doing it sooner! If you’ve been on the fence about turning an unused space in your home into a functional living area for your family, I say go for it! 🙂
Repurposing Unused Spaces: A Home Renovation Journey
Back in 2011, while I was writing a book called All the Money in the World, I interviewed architect Sarah Susanka about the size and scale of American homes. Susanka, author of the Not So Big House series of books, noted that she encountered many homes with unusable rooms — spaces that didn’t reflect how people actually lived. Such waste could be pricey for normal folks, but Susanka reported that even her clients with unlimited budgets tended to be happiest with everyday uses for spaces. The goal should be to use “every square foot, every day.” I love this idea. It was certainly a goal when we spent over a year renovating the historic house I now live in. By repurposing space with an eye toward how you actually live, a house can feel more functional — and more like home.
So an obvious caveat here: I know that pondering “unused space” means there is unused space. That’s not always the case! Back when my family lived in a New York City apartment, we definitely used every square foot every day, because we didn’t have a choice. Then we moved to the suburbs. In the course of hunting for houses, though, I quickly saw what Susanka was talking about with unusable rooms. There’s often a big open entry way, but the family enters through the garage. There’s a separate formal dining room, but the family eats in the kitchen. There’s a fancy living room, created for entertaining, but the family hangs out in a different room with the television where toys are always underfoot (and when guests do come, they tend to hang out in the kitchen!).
Sometimes life shifts and rooms get used. Pre-pandemic a lot of “home offices” functioned as storage spaces. Now, many get used 2-3 times per week. But sometimes a more explicit rethink is required. In our case, we actually knocked down the walls between a few small, unusable rooms and created a playroom. We put the kids’ computer in the dining room, and I do my puzzles on the dining room table — so it functions more as an evening hangout space than anything else. We also put the instruments and music in the formal living room, so it is our practice and concert space. One of my favorite transformations: The closet in my office has become my podcast recording studio and Zoom space! I’d worried I’d need to rent recording space elsewhere, but it turns out with a little soundproofing, it works just fine.
Rethinking Your Spaces: A Practical Approach
In any case, if you, too, are pondering your space, and how it’s used, it might help to remember that a home exists to serve you. If you don’t need a space in its traditional function, you don’t need to preserve it for that function. You might be able to use it in a different way.
First, study how you spend your hours at home. Think about how you’d like to spend your hours. Think about how your family spreads out over your space and what they tend to do. How could your space support that? So, for instance, if you’re not doing a lot of formal entertaining, maybe that formal living room could become a playroom. My guess is the toys already migrate there. Now you can just embrace it — keeping a sofa for a parent to sit and relax, and buying a few nice looking baskets so putting the toys away is a quick job.
If you eat at your kitchen table, then a dining room could become a crafting or game room, or a library for a book lover — or your real home office (so you don’t have to use a corner of your bedroom or the kitchen table!). My guess is you don’t have more than a few dinner parties every year anyway. Have people eat in the kitchen, or take everyone out to a restaurant. That would be a better use of resources than not using available space.
Transforming Unused Spaces: Room-by-Room Ideas
If you’ve got a guest room but don’t have many overnight guests, maybe it can be something else — a movie room for movie buffs or a music room if you’ve got lots of family members who play instruments. Or a playroom or home gym or home office, or whatever you’d actually use. Perhaps you enter through the garage, and your front foyer sits empty. If you’ve got a green thumb, perhaps that becomes your plant room so you can finally use that giant window over the door. Or build in some bookshelves and make this the library you’ve always dreamed of. Maybe your entry way could even fit the piano you’ve been hoping to start playing again.
Now, to be sure, habits don’t always follow possessions; plenty of people buy treadmills and never use them. But if a space is not being used, you may as well try shaping it to an activity you think you would do. Doing so increases the chances that you do use every square foot, every day. And that will most likely make you happier in your home.
Unused Basements: A World of Possibilities
As a remodeling company, we understand the potential that unused spaces like the basement have for many homeowners. Basements are often overlooked and underutilized, as many homeowners use them just for extra storage. However, with the right expertise and planning, you can transform your unused spaces into rooms that are functional and practical.
First, you should start by thoroughly assessing the basement space. Consider practical things like size, layout, ceiling height, moisture levels, and insulation. Understanding the basement’s unique characteristics will guide your design decisions and help you create a space that maximizes functionality and comfort. It will also help you plan to overcome potential challenges like moisture.
Next, you should clearly define your goals and objectives for repurposing your unused spaces. Are you looking to create a cozy family room, an entertainment area, a home gym, or something else altogether? Do you wish that your kids had their own playroom or want a new home office? Understanding your goals will inform the design and layout of the repurposed basement space.
Divide and Conquer: Zoning Your Unused Spaces
Divide the basement space into functional zones based on your needs and goals. For example, you could create a designated area for lounging and entertainment, a separate space for a home office or study area, a workout zone, and a storage area with organized shelving or cabinets. By taking one large space and dividing it into smaller zones, you can turn unused spaces into practical extra space in your home.
Basements are not utilized by every homeowner for many reasons, including that they can feel colder and damper than the rest of the home. Consider comfort-enhancing features and amenities to make your basement space feel more welcoming. Make sure that you have proper heating and cooling in your basement. You can also add cozy seating options, area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets to make things feel more comfortable.
Bringing Unused Spaces to Life: A Personalized Approach
Whether it’s a spare bedroom, a formal living room, or an underutilized basement, the key to transforming unused spaces is to approach it with a creative and personalized mindset. Think about how you and your family actually live and use your home, and let that guide your decisions.
If you have an unused room, you can make it functional and beautiful for your family. Dedicate it as a guest room, a music studio, a walk-in closet, or a cozy lounge area. Transform an empty space into a home cinema, a personal gym, or a kids’ playroom. Even small nooks and corners can be repurposed into something practical and enjoyable.
The possibilities are endless when you approach unused spaces with an open mind and a willingness to think outside the box. At ABC Home, we’re passionate about helping homeowners in Aberdeen, UK, unlock the potential of their underutilized spaces. Whether you’re looking to create a functional new room or breathe new life into a forgotten corner, our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way.
So don’t let those unused spaces go to waste – embrace the unexpected, get creative, and transform them into the functional, personalized living areas you’ve always dreamed of. Your home is your canvas, and the possibilities are endless.
