If you don’t have one, quite often, you want one. If you do have one, quite often, you don’t know what to do with it. If you do know what to do with it, quite often, that thing is to use it as a convenient ‘things I bought that I don’t use anymore, but can’t bring myself to throw away’ disposal area.
Ladies and gentlemen, may we present to you the curious conundrum that is the spare room.
It is something of a first world problem. There’s no getting away from it. Having a spare room is a startling privilege that many can only dream about. But the mere existence of the idea of a spare room can be enough to make your head explode.
We could do this! We could do that! Can you imagine if? Or what about…? …And then, suddenly, as if by some mischievous wave of a wand, the space has become the resting place for a squad of black bags full of forgotten fashions that, perhaps, should have been exorcised and cremated long, long ago.
But let us not be glum. Let us face this challenge head on and come out the other side enlightened and determined to redesign our preconceptions of all that is possible in the often anarchic nature of modern home living.
Whether you have a spare room or not does not really matter at this stage. Though it may not appear so in the present moment, the day may come when you very well might have to confront this fickle foe and a swift, cunning strike will be all that lies between you and an eternally haunted room called Pandemonium.
And so, let us take this moment to arm you with a few helpful weapons to accompany you on this quest. You may not need them. You may not want them. But, in any case, here are 5 ways in which you can use a spare room.
Bedroom Bliss: You knew this one was coming, so we might as well get it out of the way at the kick off. It might not be the most imaginative way to use up the space you’ve found yourself with and you’re probably hoping to do something a little bit more imaginative with it, but a spare bedroom should never really be sniffed at. You never know when family or friends might need a place to crash and, as cosy as your sofa may be, there is nothing quite like kipping in a proper bed. Keep it on the back burner as an idea if you would far rather pursue something a little bit more adventurous, but never entirely rule it out as an option. It may come in very handy one day.
Office Rules: If you’re not going to use it for rest, then why not use it for work? This is an ideal space to set up a little work environment where you can crack on with some much needed tasks at any time of day without disturbance. Throw in a desk with a computer, a comfortable chair, perhaps a bookshelf, and you’ve got yourself a space bound to spark endless hours of productivity on your road to success. Just remember not to be completely oblivious to the clock and unknowingly burn yourself out. Make some time for lunch and take in some fresh air to clear your head. Being stuck inside all day, as we all have come to know, is not an entirely healthy way to exist and could hinder your progress in the long run.
Gym Time: You don’t need much space to give yourself a proper good workout, but it is nice to have some privacy whilst doing it. Throw in some basic equipment and something to blast out some funky tunes and you’ve got yourself a perfectly good homemade gym. No annoying contracts or extortionate costs. Just a few bits and pieces and a little bit of get up and go. All for a brighter and healthier you. What are you waiting for? Let’s do this!
Pet Paradise: This one is a bit out there (okay, it’s a lot out there), but if the room is doing nothing and you have a pet in the house, why not spoil them with a private space of their own? Of course, it doesn’t have to be theirs all year around. You can easily convert it into something else if priorities change or if you temporarily need an additional bedroom. But those furry little guys are family and they make our lives happier and richer by just being there. Show them some love and give them something special.
Relax And Recover: We all need a place to go to just be, especially now. Having a spare room can give you the opportunity to build a place that you can go to and forget about the outside world for at least a little while. A reading room? A movie room? A music room? Whatever it is that helps you switch off and recharge your batteries is good for your overall well- being. Again, don’t lock yourself away from the outside world entirely. It’s healthy to get out and about when you can. But having that special space where you can switch off and cast aside your troubles for a few hours is no bad thing at all. In fact, it is a very, very good thing.
A spare room is a great thing to have if you know how to make the most of it. We hope we have thrown a few ideas your way that had previously not been up for consideration. Or, if not, that we have at least got you thinking about how to tackle the situation, should it ever arise.
From everyone here at Belvoir Edinburgh, we hope that you are happy and well.
Until next time, stay safe and keep smiling.
Happy Housekeeping.
