Ah, the den. Not quite a bedroom, however, an easy place to put guests for the night. It is the room in the house that many find the most difficult to decorate and give purpose to.
If you are not careful, that valuable extra space ends up being a catch-all cupboard for personal items we’d like to deal with later: Christmas decorations in the closet, laundry on the bed, your kid's toys that they are not ready to part with stacked in the corners - dens can be just as big of a headache as they are a blessing.
Yes, spare bedrooms are great for when families visit, however, the majority of the time, spare bedrooms are left unused. There are many more innovative ways you can design your dens so YOU get the most out of them in your everyday life!
Here are 7 ideas to maximize your space and turn your den into a room you get to enjoy on the daily!
The second most common use for a den is a home office
With the rise of working from home, side hustles and flex hours, why not convert your den into your own personal office space? Here you can create a mental divide between work and play, and get to spend time in your den multiple times per week! The main aspect of working-from-home most complain about how it blurs the line between home and office. Working from your couch only to continue sitting on it for the rest of the evening in your personal time makes for a dreary day. Having a dedicated space to get work done not only allows you to relax better in your family spaces but also helps you shift into the work mindset when need be. Remember - keep your office free from clutter, invest in a comfy chair and use Fengshui principles to keep your space calm and collected, helping you work stress-free!
Turn your den into a mini gym/yoga studio
Fitness fans out there, save on gym memberships and commute times by converting your den into your own personal gym or fitness space! Stop having to move sofas and rugs to complete your workouts in the living room. We recommend installing a monitor or tv to your den's wall to play workout videos, make space for a few select fitness equipment and maybe a mirror or two to watch your form. Keep it simple so you have space to move! Once your space is set up to succeed, there's really no excuse to stay active!
Use your den as a dining room
If your den is close to the kitchen, why not convert it into a dining room for you and your family? Having a designated space to sit down and eat meals together is so important in today's hustle and bustle. If you choose to turn your den into your dining room, we suggest using warm hues in your decor such as beige, red or yellow to stimulate your appetite. Hang a beautiful light fixture in the centre of the room and you’ve got a gorgeous gathering space!
Use your den as a walk-in closet
One way to make your daily life feel more glamorous is to convert your den into a walk-in closet! Having a dedicated space for your clothes may help you keep them more organized, and can help you keep a more cohesive wardrobe. I don’t know about you but, when all of my clothes are jammed into a tiny closet, I often feel like I have nothing to wear and end up buying more clothes that I do not need - which in turn jams my closet further, and leads to an unhealthy cycle. Spacing your items out in your den and giving yourself a dedicated “get-ready” space may help you feel more put together, and allow you to care for the clothes you already have!
Kids’ playroom/Game Room
Every parent can agree that having kids’ toys sprawled all over the house is a headache. Why not convert your den into a playroom to contain all of your kids’ fun? This dedicated space will keep the rest of your home tidy, and allow for your children’s imagination to run wild! If you have older children who do not necessarily need a space for toys, you can use your den as a family game room to spend some quality time and have some laughs!
Cinema
I personally had a family friend who converted their den into a home theatre, and it was the best decision their family made. They thrifted old movie theatre seats, installed a mini bar in the back of the room, and projected a large screen onto a blank wall. It was genius! If you are someone who likes to entertain, a den-turned-cinema is sure to impress!
Library
Last but not least, convert your den into a peaceful sanctuary by adding some built-shelving and surrounding yourself with your favourite novels! If you are someone who loves to get away from the business of the day and delve deep into a good book, a mini library would be the perfect use of a den space for you! Add a comfortable chair, fuzzy rug, side table and warm lamp to the centre of the room and you’ve got the perfect peaceful space.
Maybe you use your den in a cool and creative way that we did not list here? Let us know!
Jordan Gunn
902-401-0373
Keller Williams Select Realty