Empty nest ideas: what to do with a spare room now your children have left home

Your kids have flown the nest and taken their mountain of stuff with them. Here are some inspiring ways to use the space they no longer need.

Lara Sargent

Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.

Your children have left the family home and the house seems quiet all of a sudden – and just a little bit empty.

Don't despair, you'll soon get used to less mess, more food. And, crucially, all that extra unused space can be put to excellent use, be it a hobby hub or a swish guest bedroom.

It's the start of a new chapter for you and your property – well, your new spare room at least.

But first things first, give the room a thorough clean, followed by a fresh lick of paint.

Now your blank canvas is ready to go, it's time to consider all of your spare room options.

Read on for 8 inspiring ideas to make the most of an extra bedroom.

1. Use as a walk-in wardrobe

If you're lacking in clothes storage, why not transform your spare bedroom into a walk-in wardrobe?

It's a luxurious way to utilise this extra space and create a gorgeous walk-in wardrobe with dedicated hanging and drawer storage for every last shirt, dress and bag.

You might have space for a dressing area too. Set up a vanity table and full-length mirror and get ready every single day amid five star surroundings.

If this sounds right up your street, be sure to check out our top walk-in wardrobe ideas and tips.

2. Create a party zone

We love the idea of setting aside an extra room for fun.

Think outside the box and set up your very own speakeasy where friends and families can gather for a few cocktails – or a nightcap after an evening out.

This idea is best kept to ground level spare rooms (you wouldn't really want guests traipsing up and down the stairs).

You don't need to spend a fortune on a bespoke bar zone. Simply seek out a luxe bar cart, invest in bold, slouchy chairs and different layers of lighting. Hint: neon signs always look cool.

Put up a few wall shelves for bottles and hunt down pretty glassware and trays in second hand shops and car boot sales. Read our home bar ideas for masses of party-at-home inspiration and get ready for a big night in.

3. Work in a home office

Hybrid and remote working options are the norm since the pandemic changed the employment landscape forever.

So, turning your spare bedroom into a hardworking home office is a great option for anyone who needs a dedicated WFH hub. Or if you simply need a quiet space to catch up on admin and household bills.

It doesn't matter what size of room you have as there are a whole host of desk and storage designs to suit every space. Think skinny, foldaway desks, modular shelving and clever racking to instill a calm and productive workspace. Our inspiring home office ideas will help you create a workspace that will boost your 9-5 graft.

If you want your home office to double up as a guest bedroom, then look for a stylish and comfortable sofa bed. You can even get single beds that fold out from ottomans.

Office politics have never looked so appealing.

4. Use it as a hobby room

If you're a keen crafter, you might fancy transforming the extra space into a hobby room.

Craft studios can be designed to give you all the tailored storage you need. Set up cubbyholes, baskets and boxes for fabric rolls, swatches and thread plus a sewing machine and other hobby kit.

Jewellery-making, sewing and scrapbooking projects often take days or weeks to complete. So, a dedicated space where you can leave all your kit out rather than having to tidy it away at the end of each day is a boon.

Artists will adore the idea of setting up an easel and paints and leaving it all out till the next day.

Go super creative with your decor. Try a mood wall for masses of inspiration, quirky light fixtures and a bold-coloured rug. Or else go all-white for an artist's studio.

5. Set up a library

Book worms sit up: how about a mini library or quiet reading nook where you can curl up undisturbed with a good book for hours?

You might want to call on the expertise of a carpenter for bespoke library shelving. And we love the idea of colour-coding your books for an extra special touch.

A comfortable chair is key for every home library. Plus, you'll need a good reading lamp and a few comfortable cushions and throws to see you through the seasons.

Read our guide to the typical home library cost to get started. It's a must if your growing book collection is getting out of hand!

6. Get busy with a home gym

Keep healthy and active by setting up your own workout space at home.

It'll cut back on gym membership costs. Plus having all your exercise kit down the hall might motivate you to get fit.

Work out what sort of gym equipment you need. A hi-tech treadmill? Or a simple set of weights and a mat?

Consider a wall-mounted TV as well, so you can watch your favourite box set or listen to music while you work out.

Here are some home gym ideas to help you hit your fitness goals. 1,2,3...stretch.

7. Decorate a luxury guest bedroom

One of the most obvious uses for a spare room, once the kids have moved out, is to create a fabulous guest bedroom.

A well-designed guest bedroom will welcome in family and friends for a restful home-from-home stay.

Go all out on a comfortable bed with a gorgeous, upholstered headboard, a dressing table with an illuminated mirror, and a pretty bedside table. Create a five-star experience by adding extra-special touches such as fluffy robes, fresh towels and mini, luxury toiletries.

Browse these fantastic guest bedroom ideas for more inspiration. The only problem is – will guests ever want to leave?

8. Create a home cinema experience

Turn your extra space into a home cinema room and create the perfect movie snug for catching up on blockbusters and box sets.

Home cinema rooms used to be reserved solely for the rich and famous. That's not the case these days and with some clever ideas, anyone can create an entertainment hub at home.

You might simply want a large wall-mounted TV and comfortable seating for a basic setup. But if you've got your sights set on a snazzy cinema installation kit, you'll need to consider room size, equipment, budget and any lighting, electrical and soundproofing requirements.

Look at our home cinema room cost guide here to work out what's right for you.

All that's left to do now is to bring on the popcorn and settle down for the night.

Empty nest ideas: key takeaways

• The thought of your kids flying the nest might have you welling up, but the thought of what you can do with the extra space should have you jumping for joy.

• Treat yourself by using your new spare room as a space to enjoy your 'me time.'

• Consider what would most benefit you day to day to make sure your spare room gets the most use possible.