11 Creative Spare Room Ideas, From a Home Library to a Swanky Lounge

Interior designers share their ideas for breathing new life into unused spaces.

If you happen to have a spare room, the default move is usually to turn it into a guest room or a home office . But there are plenty of other uses for an extra room that may prove more functional. Consider what your home is missing—do you often wish you had more space to exercise? Or perhaps you want a designated area to cuddle up with a good book. From a home library and gym to an arcade and wine room, here are a few designer-approved ideas to help you make the most of your spare room

Related: 11 Basement Decorating Ideas That Will Make It Your New Favorite Spot

Multi-Purpose Entertainment Room

Turn a spare room into a multi-purpose entertainment space that can accommodate everything from reading to a game of pool. In this large space, interior designer Kishani Perera wanted it to be more than a simple lounge and TV room.

“We made it a playroom and study hall, combined with entertainment space. The kids love this room, and homework seems like less of a chore because of its whimsical, cozy yet practical feel," says Perera.

Study Room

A study room falls somewhere between an office and a library. It has the bookshelves and comfortable seating of a library but with the desk of an office. That makes it one of the most functional ways to use a spare room. Gideon Mendelson, founder and creative director of Mendelson Group , says this space also has cabinets for extra storage and a couch that pulls out to transform the space into a guest room as needed.

Basement Arcade

Lean into a dark basement by turning it into a space that should be dark anyway: an arcade. “The basement sat unused until we transformed the space into the ultimate teenage hang-out, featuring classic arcade games such as skee ball and shuffleboard, and complete with a bright neon sign," says Kristin Harrison, founder and principal designer of Bungalow 10 Interiors .

Related: 9 Basement Paint Color Ideas That Will Make the Space Feel More Open and Inviting

Wine Room

If you have an amazing wine collection you're running out of room for, why not turn your spare room into an indulgently fabulous wine cellar? "We transformed a previously dim-lit walk-in pantry into a stunning wine room that’s sure to impress," says Kristin Kostamo-McNeil, owner and principal of Anne Rae Design . During the renovation, the kitchen was relocated, leaving the pantry space empty and ready for a new purpose."

Children's Library

JMorris Design / Kirsten Francis Photography

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A bright and airy spare room can be turned into a welcoming and colorful spot for a children's library, one that is sure to instill a lifelong love of reading. In this room, there are multiple places to sit and imagine. "One of my favorite ways to repurpose a space is to create a library nook and cozy reading area. This can mean some simple shelves and a cozy chair or built-ins," Jennifer Morris, principal of JMorris Design , says of this space.

Swanky Lounge

A spare room is the perfect spot to build a swanky lounge, complete with gilded wallpaper, a deep set sofa, and your favorite keepsakes. With midcentury vibes and abstract art, this room feels like a place you'd relax with a good book and a cocktail, but it also has a secondary purpose. "I tucked a Murphy bed into bookshelves and put a sofa with casters in front of it," says Morris.

Murphy Bed Guest Room

Rather than dedicating a spare room entirely to a guest room, utilize the space wisely by adding two Murphy beds, which gives you floor space back when the beds aren't in use. Plus, it allows you to host two guests who might not want to share a bed.

This is a "flex bedroom," explains Jess Klein, founder of Jess Klein Studio . "The client is a painter, so this multipurpose room serves several functions depending on the need. It's an art studio, a home gym, and even houses two twin Murphy beds for house guests with children. The homeowner also has another dedicated guest room, so they were intentional in having this 'flex' room go far beyond simply a guest bedroom."

Home Library

If you're an avid reader, consider turning your spare room into a beautiful home library. In this space, interior designer Avery Cox incorporated rich colors and textures to create a cozy spot that pulls double duty as a reading room and a place to take a cat nap. We can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.

Meditation Room

If you have the extra square footage, what better way to use it than to create a serene space with a relaxing color palette, plants, and cozy furnishings? "A calming, dual-purpose space can offer both productivity and relaxation. A desk near a window for natural light can enhance focus, while a quiet corner with floor cushions, soft rugs, and a few plants creates a peaceful area for meditation or yoga," says Colleen Bennett, founder of CBB Designs .

Dressing Room

A room dedicated to a gorgeous collection of clothes, handbags, and shoes sounds like a dream. But, if you have an extra room, why waste it on a guest bed that gets used a few times a year? Instead, turn it into a gorgeous dressing room.

"This client is passionate about fashion and a standard bedroom closet simply wouldn’t do. We transformed the guest room into a chic, boutique-style dressing room curated just for her," says Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors .

Gym

If you don't like going to the gym but still enjoy exercise, transform your extra room into a home gym. Interior designer Betsy Vohs of Studio BV made this space extra luxe with the addition of a coffee bar . After weight training, brew yourself your morning coffee for the perfect wake-up call.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart .