topic Re: What to Do with an Extra Room in Home

What to Do with an Extra Room

Desert Lily — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:02:24 GMT

I've deciided to rethink one of the guest bedrooms in my house. But, I don't have a definite idea of what to do with it. I gave the bed to charity. A chest of drawers that I painted & stenciled to match the room is leaving. I have an antique (about 100 yrs old) chest of drawers with original flower painting on it I bought an auction 27 yrs ago. When I moved to the west coast, the mover broke a small piece of trim off of it, & I never could find a way to repair it.

I'm thinking of making it an Accessories Room. I bought 2 Origami metal book shelves. I put my dogs' extra leashes, sweaters, nail clippers, and extra pillow covers on one. On the other unit, I put my scarves, extra slippers, and extra hair & bath products. Then, I bought 2 of the same cotton printed shower curtains & hemmed them before using decorative shower hooks to hang them around the shelves so they cover the items but open in the front.

I bought a metal laundry dryer rack for that room.

I painted and stenciled a large wooden chair and bought a chair pad at Pier 1.

I have a gold-leaf vanity from my mom I might put in there.

I might add a futon or a twin or double chair/hide-a-bed.

I have a couple of decorative mirrors.

I would buy a different light fixture. What kind?

PROBLEM: I'm not sure how to make it cohesive so that it definitely has the Accessory Room theme. Or, should I toss the theme & keep it a guest room??

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:05:47 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:06:26 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:07:25 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:09:18 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:11:44 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:12:32 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

noodleann — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:17:41 GMT

I just put cats in all my extra rooms. They like it, and I have no room for houseguests.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

StylishLady — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:44:48 GMT

Wow. I remember before we bought our house here in Florida, DH was saying he didn't think we needed 3 bed rooms. Well, one was our, the other a guest bedroom (always made up and ready for surprise company), and the other became his den. If I had another room, I'd make it into a combination sewing room and extra guest room.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

GCR18 — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:51:22 GMT

It sounds like it has a theme, walk in closet.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

Sooner — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:04:32 GMT

We have a library, but I'd make a library and reading room. We have a lot of books and love to read.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

ALRATIBA — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:13:41 GMT

My last house had four bedrooms, and just two of us.

One of them was DH's room - his electronics stuff - speakers, vintage record players, records, tape recorders - that sort of stuff.

One was set up as utility for ironing, sewing machine, etc.

One was my library and piano/music room.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

Gardengal55 — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:38:30 GMT

When our son moved out I tore up the carpet, repainted, got pretty floral valances, moved my MIL's antique dresser & highboy in, brought in an old desk. I have south and east facing windows so most of my plants spend the winter there. I have a large bakers rack and small stools and tables to put them on. I have an old hard rock maple chair that rocks from my mother and lots of books. Since we live in an older 2 story home closet space is at a premium, so I nabbed the closet as well as the one in the 3rd BR and DH manages with the one in our room. When I come up to this room, I am a happy camper...I'm here now!

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

queendiva — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:58:13 GMT

Empty nester here in a four bedroom house. In order of size, largest to smallest:

bedroom 1: Mine (master)

bedroom 2: was DS#1's. Now the guest room. He has his own house.

bedroom 3: DS#2. In the Army and stationed abroad. Keeping his room in tact. Still his "home base" He is here twice a year.

bedroom 4: my large walk-in closet.

@lolakimono: I am going to study the photos you posted for inspiration. Thank you!

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

Desert Lily — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 03:27:06 GMT

I'm inspired by ideas I've read here. Maybe it will be more like a controlled "Favorite Things" room that is also functional. I'd add a few of my books, my sewing machine, and I think I'll hang a handbag on the drying rack. @lolakimono - Thanks for the great pictures! I was hoping I'd hear from you. Would it be a bad thing to spray paint white over the gold leaf vanity?

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

CAMOGIRL — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 03:28:32 GMT

IF I had an extra room that would never be used by me or guests... I would actually use the room for a storage room. Good sturdy shelving units, bins, and clothes racks.

I would use the entire perimeter for the storage leaving the middle open for space to rearrange and organize things as needed.

Well now that I have that all figured out, I guess I really do need that extra room... 😉!

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

OnlyShopsOnline — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 05:40:52 GMT

We had two extra bedrooms for a while. One was a den....it had a desk and my computer, and bookcases with my husband's vast collection of books. And, of course, a comfortable chair.

The spare bedroom became a sitting/sewing room. The bed was not comfortable, so we got rid of it.

Then the grandbabies came along. The den became MY room...my computer center and sewing room. And, the spare room became a playroom for the kids.

Then, this spring, we painted and redecorated. And, it is now a spare bedroom again, with room for storage of toys and a nice place for the grandkids to play when they come here. It is very suitable for children or adult guests.

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:22:18 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:23:18 GMT

Re: What to Do with an Extra Room

lolakimono — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:28:09 GMT

@Desert Lily

RE sewing-

You might want a space for ironing, as well, if you want to sew there (I can't believe I am suggesting an iron!).