Turning Unused Spaces into Favorite Places

Maybe it’s the past year of locking down and staying in that did it. Being inside our homes more than ever made us re-evaluate how we live (or don’t live) in the spaces they hold.

A breakfast nook that no one ever eats in. An office that needs to do double duty. A formal dining room that needs to be used more informally. We’ve started wishing not necessarily for more space … but for different space.

Places that allow us to get more out of our rooms. And the good news is it just takes a little re-imagination.

Here are a few ideas to help you get started.  

Turn a landing into a lounge for the kids

This landing area was unused space that, with the addition of some comfy chairs and a large-screen TV, became the kids’ favorite place to hang—and game.

Tip: Make your own wall decals on a Cricut® machine (like our PacMan-inspired ones here) for eye-catching art that’s easy, and temporary. Not a DIY-er? You can find fun options on sites like Etsy.

Use office space as a makers’ space

If you don’t have a need for a formal home office set-up, repurpose the space into something more family-friendly. This home office was reimagined as a ‘creative outlet’ within the home—the perfect place for painting and crafting with friends.

Tip: Instead of custom built-ins, stores like IKEA and Pottery Barn carry budget-friendlier options for a similar look. 

Carve out a corner for “toy containment”

A corner of a finished basement can become a kids’ zone—complete with private and quiet places for them to play (and more importantly, a central location where all the toys go).

Tip: Kid-friendly furniture and playful fabrics and décor help the area feel like an “adult-free” zone. 

Make a formal dining room a little more informal

Expansive dining rooms often have wasted space—places for never-played pianos or never-sat-in chairs. By adding a bar, a little-used area of the room becomes energized and activated.

Tip: Display glassware and interesting bottles on open shelving backed with mirrors, adding reflection and depth to the room.

Reimagine a breakfast nook as an aperitif area

If you already have a large kitchen island with seating or an informal dining room, take the table out of the breakfast nook and replace it with comfortable chairs and a bar cart—the perfect place to relax with a before- or after-dinner glass of wine, cocktail or coffee.

Tip: The cozier the chair, the better.

Kimberly Timmons-Beutner is the principal interior designer of Kimberly Timmons Interiors (KTI), a brain trust of motivated, talented designers with a collaborative, versatile approach to delivering top-quality design that is always unique. View their profile or contact Kimberly at 303.904.8244.

Content for this article provided by Kimberly Timmons Interiors.