We Love… New Room Ideas

In our regular feature, 'We Love... Wednesdays' we take a look at great designs and styles. This month we look at what to do with the empty space left behind when you have an extension or build a new room.

When planning a home extension, you will no doubt spend countless hours planning every detail, from finding the perfect handles for your kitchen drawers to making sure your light switches match to the style of the room.

If extending your property means that you will be moving an existing room such as the kitchen to the new part of your home, it is vital that you also have a clear plan of how you will utilise the old space to prevent it becoming nonfunctional and forgotten.

Here are some of our favourite ways to transform the old room in your home to ensure you get the most out of all of your space.

Smart storage

In order to maximise the space in your home, it is wise to invest in plenty of smart storage solutions. One way to help achieve this when extending the home is through transforming the old space into a useful utility / larder room. Not only will this space function as a sort of overflow kitchen to hide away day-to-day clutter and housework, it will also serve as an ideal place for storing noisy appliances, so that you can enjoy the peace of your new kitchen space, without the disturbance from the washing machine or tumble dryer. Through incorporating a utility / larder area into your kitchen extension plans, you will likely require less cabinetry in the new room, allowing more space for the items you truly want – perhaps a kitchen island, bar area or extra seating.

Study or office

The reason behind extending your home to relocate a room is most probably due to a lack of space in the original room. Smaller rooms can often be harder to plan as you need to maximise the limited space available. However, a study or office is the perfect choice if you are unsure how to make the most of the small space left behind. Creating a quiet, separate room to work in is ideal if you work from home or have children who need a place to do their homework.

Playroom

If you have children you will be more than aware of the issue of storage, there simply isn’t enough space to store all of their things. Having a playroom gives you the extra space you need for storage, meaning your can start to reclaim your home. A playroom is the perfect solution to let your creativity run wild and add a splash of fun to your home, after all it’s the room where you want your children’s imagination to flourish. There have been many reports stating that the bedroom should only be used for sleeping, so having a separate room where your children can play will potentially benefit their well-being. If you aren’t in need of an additional space for children, you could consider using the room as a space to carry out your own hobbies and pastimes.

A room for entertaining

When considering to extend your kitchen your are more than likely looking to create extra space for hosting and entertaining guests. However, why not consider turning your old room into a space to socialise with friends and family, away from where you are going to eat or cook. Why not transform your old room into a bar area where your can show of your hosting skills before a family lunch or dinner party? Alternatively, the space could function perfectly as a quiet room to spend the later part of the evening relaxing after a delicious meal.

If you are planning an extension or redesigning the layout of your home, it is crucial you have a plan for the old space. Whether you turn it into a room where your children can let their minds run free or the perfect place to kick off the dinner party of the year. If you’re looking for inspiration on how rethink and redesign your existing rooms, make sure you get in touch with us today.

Image credits
Utility room: Brandon Barré, via Houzz.
Office: via Decoist.
Playroom: via  IdealHome.