|
|
Home  Special Sections Home & Auto Converting That Empty Nest
|
Homeowners who have spent many years in one home likely raised a family and shared many memories inside of those walls. When the kids grow and move on it can be somewhat bittersweet. Being left with vacated rooms -- especially ones still decked out in children's decor -- can cause the house to feel emptier than it has to be. Now is the time to turn those empty rooms into adult spaces. Homeowners shouldn't feel guilty about taking down band posters and packing away Little League baseball caps. Chances are the children made good use of their rooms and now it's time for the adults to reclaim the spaces for their very own.
There are easy ways to turn children's bedrooms into spaces adults can enjoy. With a few fixes, the room can be a man's space, a woman's retreat, or a room both can enjoy. Because the room will reflect the adult homeowners' interests, it should be designed with their needs in mind. Comfortable furniture and items that please the residents should be incorporated. Lighting should be used to set the mood. If the room will be used for television watching, have dimmer switches so that the brightness can be tuned down. For reading or office work, have overhead lights and task lighting, such as a desk lamp. For the "man cave" the room can reflect interests, such as sports or fishing, but be decorated in a subtle way to complement the rest of the home's decor. For example, if a guy likes a sports team, he can paint the walls in a subdued shade of the team colors instead of hanging pennants or player jerseys on the walls.
Homeowners should remember to include extra seating and space so that they can entertain friends or family in their newly adapted specialized rooms. A table for snacks or even a small refrigerator hidden within a decorative piece of furniture can keep snacks and beverages available.
CAPTION: Once the kids have left home for good, homeowners often look to convert rooms once devoted to the kids into something more in tune with the needs of an adult.
 |
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed