Kids grow up so fast! One day they’re on the playground, the next they’re packing up to go to college. Whether your oldest child is finally flying the coop this spring or you’re sending your last one off to university, one fact remains the same – you suddenly have a spare bedroom to deal with. Janet Bertin, an interior designer in Alexandria, shares some creative decorating ideas for those of you who are thinking “now what?”

• Welcoming Guest Room. For families that do a lot of entertaining, having a guest bedroom is pertinent. Once your child moves out, update the walls with a neutral color. Incorporate pops of color throughout the room’s accents, like lampshades and window treatments. Depending on the space you have to work with, install a twin or queen-sized bed. Create a reading nook next to the window with the best natural light. This gives your guests who are staying for an extended period an area they can relax in without feeling intrusive. Keep fresh linens and toiletries in the closet for guests who may have forgotten to pack something. To complete the room, leave a nightlight plugged in so guests can find their way around in the dark. As an added bonus, when your child visits you’ll still have a space for them to sleep.
• Perfect Playroom. If you still have younger kids running around, your newfound space can be transformed into their play space. Involve your child in the design of their playroom. Let them help choose the theme of the room, including paint colors and decorative accents like lighting and wall art. Once you’ve moved all of their toys from their current home, you’ll have another space to redecorate!
• Personal Paradise. Whether you’re sending off the last of your children or your only child, you and your significant other certainly deserve a space you can relax in. If you’re a big gaming family, turn the space into the ultimate game room. Set up a pool or foosball table in the center of the room, arrange a poker table and chairs, or do both! Want a quiet place to dive into a good book? Invest in a leather recliner or chaise lounge and hang framed quotes from your favorite novels. This spare bedroom can be used for whatever it is you do to relax.
• Fierce Fitness Hub. When it comes to staying fit, one of the biggest challenges is getting yourself to the gym. Transforming your college student’s bedroom into a personal gym eliminates that excuse. The type of workouts you’re into will determine how to set up the space. Big on cardio? Leave the floor clear for equipment like treadmills, rowing machines, or ellipticals. Looking to create a zen yoga studio? Use soothing color schemes and leave plenty of floor space to practice your flow.
• Creative Hobby Room. Do you love to craft? Transform your child’s former bedroom into your own personal craft space. Start by painting the room with a fresh coat of a vibrant, inspiring color. Install pegboard on the walls to hang everything from ribbon to shelving. Arrange clear plastic bins nearest to the tabletop you’ll be working on (clear bins makes finding craft supplies easier). If you have another hobby outside of the craft world, like music or reading, transform the bedroom into a space that harnesses the hobby that you love.
• Productive Home Office. If you’re a busy entrepreneur or your job allows you to work remotely, you’ll want a space to be productive in. You may have sacrificed your own home office so that your children could have separate bedrooms, but once your child heads off to college, you can take over their space and make it your own. Have an extra router installed so that you always have access to strong Wifi. Work elements that inspire you into the décor of the room, whether it’s a particular color scheme or a work of art.

Still looking for more inspiration? Contact Janet Bertin today.