Last Updated on January 20, 2025 by teamobn
These days, every square foot of space is a prized piece of real estate so it pays to make the most of every part of your home. Repurposing underused spaces around the house not only offers you the potential to maximize the value of your property but also your enjoyment and utility of it.
Rather than embarking on a costly and time-consuming extension which can take months to complete and create inconvenience for you and your family, additional living space can be often be easily created by transforming existing areas of your home such as your attic, garage, outbuilding or basement.
In this article, we will explore some creative ideas for transforming underused spaces around your home, allowing you to maximize the full potential of your property and reap the benefits of a fully functional and livable space.
Home Office
Post-pandemic, many more of us are working from home on either a full-time or part-time basis, making a home office more of a necessity than a luxury. A dedicated workspace can be created by transforming an underused space in your home such as a corner of a bedroom, an attic, or even part of the garage. This can provide you with a space that is free from distractions, and where virtual meetings and phone calls can be taken in privacy and in peace.
To ensure your home office is fully functional and fit for purpose, it is worth investing in ergonomic furniture, such as a spacious desk, standing or traditional, and a comfortable, adjustable chair. Good lighting such as desk lamps and bright overhead lighting is also essential for avoiding eye strain and fatigue as well as for boosting your concentration and productivity.
Storage solutions such as filing cabinets, wall shelves, and drawer organizers can also help to keep this space tidy and clutter-free, enhancing its functionality as a productive and conducive area to work from home.
Restful Retreat
What better way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life than by transforming your attic into a secluded and serene space in which to relax and unwind? Rather than leaving the kids at home or traveling to a distant spa, you can create your own personal getaway from the comfort of your own home.
Since it is the highest point in your house, an attic has the added advantage of sloped ceilings which help create a cozy and intimate environment for reading, relaxing, or even enjoying a morning yoga routine, undisturbed. The addition of skylights or large windows can allow an abundance of natural light to flood the space, bringing a light, airy and open feel to your attic, while the naturally exposed wood beams are ideal for hanging fairy lights or pendant fixtures, adding a magical quality to your homebound retreat.
Furnish your attic with warm throws, blankets, and bean bags or choose a comfy sofa on which to recline. Add soft cushions, and a cozy rug to complete the finishing touches to your personal sanctuary and true home away from home.
Guest Suite
Whether it’s the arrival of a new child or the need for a home office, each bedroom in the house is highly sought after by homeowners as well as their family members. However, one area of the home that is often overlooked in terms of its potential is the garage, which can be transformed into a functional and valuable living space. This makes it ideal for turning into a guest suite for friends and family, offering them a comfortable and private place to stay without the need for knocking down walls or carrying out costly home extensions.
You can regulate the temperature of your garage guest suite by insulating the walls with recycled foam board or spray foam and installing a reliable heating and cooling system, such as a portable heater or a ductless mini-split system.
Natural light can be allowed in through the addition of large windows, or by replacing a traditional, fully opaque garage door with a carriage-style garage door featuring windows. This not only brightens the space naturally, but adds to the charm and curb appeal of your home’s exterior.
Before furnishing the guest suite to your taste, create a homely touch to the space by laying down a cozy carpet or installing durable, stylish flooring such as hardwood, vinyl or laminate.
Remodel Your Basement!
Basements often tend to become a hidden resource, filled with the accumulated ‘too good to throw out, but not good enough to use’ items of our past. But they can offer wonderful spaces for hobbies, a den, a rec room or even a bar. And refurbishing them to create extra living space can be a very economical exercise requiring little more than some elbow grease, color and good lighting.
If you’ve got the basement, we’ve got a dedicated post on basement refurbishment just for you 🙂
Outdoor Art Studio
Allow nature to fuel your creativity by turning an outbuilding into an inspiring art studio. Whether it’s a backyard barn, shed or cabin, this outdoor area can be used to store your paint supplies, canvases and easel, and offer you your own private space to unleash your creative expression.
To make your outbuilding a comfortable and enjoyable space to work, consider your heating and electricity needs. Installing an efficient heating system, such as a portable heater or electric radiator, can keep the space warm at night and during the day in the colder months.
Consider installing electrical outlets for power tools and equipment such as those needed for creating and printing digital artwork or editing images. Power will also be required to light up your space and provide you with sufficient illumination to create a well-lit and functional studio to create your art.
If you plan to work with paints, solvents, or other chemicals, proper ventilation in your outbuilding is also essential. This can be achieved by installing windows, vents, or an exhaust fan to maintain good airflow, ensuring the air in your art studio remains fresh and safe while you work.
You can also maximize the function of this small space by putting up shelves, wall racks and hooks on which to store and hang supplies like paints, brushes, and canvases, helping you free up floor space and make the most of every inch of your art studio.
By putting these creative ideas to use, you can discover newfound ways to repurpose underused spaces in your home, enabling you to bring new life to these areas while increasing your enjoyment and satisfaction with your living space.
