How We Repurposed Our Spare Room to Suit Family Life Now
- Sue Spencer
- 20 hours ago
- 6 min read
There’s a room in almost every home that’s more “storage zone” than “spare room.” It might look tidy enough on the outside… but behind closed doors, it quietly collects clutter and rarely gets used. For us, it was our spare bedroom, once a place for visitors to stay, but no longer serving a real purpose in our day-to-day life.
When our son left home, it prompted a rethink. What if this rarely-used room could become something genuinely useful? That’s when we decided to rightsize and find a way to make the space work better for us.
What to do when a Spare Room Stops Being Useful
Let me set the scene...
Our son left home three years ago. His old bedroom is still very much his room when he visits, and we’ve kept the double bed in there, so it now works well as a guest room too. It’s a good-sized room, ideal for when family or friends come to stay.
That left us with our other guest room… the “original spare.” It’s a tiny room with a small double bed, technically fine for guests, but realistically an uncomfortable squeeze for two adults. And if I’m honest, it was rarely used. Not by guests. Not by us. It mostly sat unused, gathering the odd pile of laundry or a few things we didn’t quite know what to do with.
We kept changing the bedding “just in case,” but then it clicked: we didn’t need two guest bedrooms. But we did have another need that wasn’t being met at all.
What Does Rightsizing Really Mean?
“Rightsizing means making your home fit your life now, not clinging to what used to be or waiting for a ‘someday’ that may never come.”
That’s exactly what this little room needed. It had done its job as a guest bedroom for years, but lately? It was just taking up space. Meanwhile, our daughter was working from home at the dining table a couple of days a week, trying to concentrate on Zoom calls while competing with cereal bowls, snack plates and general family life.
That’s when the idea landed: why not repurpose the spare room into something useful? It had the potential to become a calm, practical space for working from home, a multifunctional guest room and home office that would meet with our family’s needs
How We Transformed Our Unused Guest Room
The first thing to go was the small double bed. We swapped it for a single bed with built-in storage solutions underneath, giving us somewhere to keep spare bedding and off-season clothes. Much more practical for the room’s size, and a better fit for how it would be used moving forward.
Next, we added a compact wardrobe and, my favourite part, a useful and attractive small extendable desk (linked to buy here). It’s perfect for working from home: big enough for a laptop, notepad and cup of tea, but neat enough to tuck away when it’s not in use. It even doubles up nicely as a dressing table if needed, which makes it incredibly versatile.
* These products were purchased instead of received as gifts, and I have linked to the websites above. I earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.
The room now serves as a peaceful, dedicated home office during the week. It’s somewhere our daughter can close the door, focus on her work and avoid being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of family life downstairs.
It still has a bed, so it’s available for overnight guests if we need it. But now, instead of being “just in case,” the small room is used every single week. It feels lived in, useful, and calm.
If you’re wondering how to turn a guest bedroom into a home office without losing guest space entirely, this kind of dual-purpose setup can work well.
The Practical Wins We Didn’t Expect
What surprised me most was how making changes in this room had a knock-on effect other spaces in our home.
With a wardrobe now in the new multifunctional room, we freed up space in our son’s bedroom wardrobe, giving us room to store his things that haven't quite made it up to his London home yet.
This created space around the rest of the house where things had crept in that didn't have a home.
It made me feel lighter to know that the space was finally working for us instead of just sitting idle. On work-from-home days, it’s great to have a dedicated space rather than having to be quiet while someone works at the dining table.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about walking past a room and realising it’s making our lives easier, especially in a busy home where every inch counts.
How long should you wait to repurpose a bedroom when a grown child moves out?
The truth is, there’s no set rule when it comes to this; it varies for every family. In our case, we decided to wait until our son had graduated from university, made progress in his career, and started to establish his own life in London. Once we felt it was the right time, we had an open conversation with him before taking any action. Rightsizing often begins with discussions like these honest, thoughtful, and sometimes a bit emotional.
Other Ways to Repurpose a Spare Room
Many of us hold to layouts and rooms that no longer meet our needs. We keep guest beds for visitors who rarely come or hold onto furniture out of habit or guilt. However, once you allow yourself to make changes, you can let go of the things you "should" do and instead, ask yourself; "What do we need this space to do for us now?"
Here are a few of my favourite spare room ideas to spark inspiration:
Convert it into a cosy reading nook or small home library.
Create a home gym or wellness space with a yoga mat and weights.
Turn it into a hobby room for crafting, painting, or music.
Use it to display a collection instead of keeping things boxed away.
Set up a home office or study zone that supports flexible working.
Rent it out on Airbnb for extra income (if you're open to hosting).
Whether you dream of a creative retreat, a calm corner to work from, or simply a space that brings more ease to everyday life, repurposing a spare room can breathe fresh energy into your home.
Looking Ahead: Future-Proofing with Flexibility
One of the things I love most about changes like this is that it’s not just solving a short-term problem, it’s future-proofing our home. The extendable desk can become a dressing table. The single bed is perfect for children down the line… grandchildren, perhaps! The wardrobe offers overflow storage for guests or out-of-season clothes.
It’s a room that can evolve with us. And really, that’s what rightsizing is all about. Not just squeezing into a smaller space, or filling every corner with furniture, but intentionally designing your home to support the life you’re living right now, and being open to how that might change over time.
What Could You Rightsize in your Home?
This small change made such a difference to our daily life, it’s something I see with my clients again and again. Whether it’s swapping bedrooms, rethinking storage, or letting go of items you no longer need, rightsizing creates breathing space. It’s a powerful way to feel more in control of your home and to enjoy the life you’ve built.
For more inspiration on how to make your home truly work for you, take a look at The Joy of Rightsizing - it’s full of practical ideas to help you rethink your space with purpose.
“Whether it’s reclaiming a spare bedroom or rethinking how you use your living space, I can help you see the possibilities. I offer one-to-one support across the South of England - get in touch and let’s start your rightsizing journey together.”
Hi! I’m Sue, a professional home organiser and KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire, UK. I had the privilege of training with Marie Kondo and by using her methods, I help growing families and empty nesters Rightsize their Homes.
We declutter and organise to clear space and time so they can get on with the important job of enjoying life.
Are you ready to start living A Life More Organised?
For a no-obligation chat about how I can help, please get in touch.
m: 07740 782575 www.alifemoreorganised.co.uk
I'd love to keep in touch - why not follow me on Instagram or join in the conversation in my Facebook group
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