Ways to utilise space when children move out

Whether it’s university or taking their first steps onto the property ladder, your child moving out can create a lot of change in the home – and a lot more space. Rather than leaving their empty room to gather dust, here’s how you can make the most of this new space.

Clearing the space

Firstly, it is important to clear out any furniture your child has left behind – this can be a daunting task, and understandably there will be items of sentimental value you are keen to keep. You could consider relocating these must-have items to other areas in the house, or store them away in an attic, storage cupboard or self storage facility if the space in your home is limited. Donating unwanted items to charity or selling them on sites such as Facebook Marketplace or eBay can be a great way to free up space for new purposes whilst recycling usable items, keeping them out of landfill. Once this free space is created, you are free to turn it into anything – we’ve come up with a few ways you can best utilise your space.

If you have items you simply cannot throw away but equally don’t have space to store, self storage may be the perfect solution for you. Here at Boxable we provide high quality, secure storage with units in a wide range of sizes to suit any need. Located in Watford, you can store with us for as long as you need – give us a call today on 01923294399 or email us at [email protected].

Convert to a home office

Working from home is on the rise, and the demand for a home office space is steadily increasing. If you’re looking to ditch working from kitchen table, considering turning your child’s old bedroom into a comfortable office space can greatly improve your productivity and mental health. Having a home office can also promote healthy work habits, such as sticking to regular working hours and separating work-life from home-life, even if they share the same address. A designated home office will also declutter the rest of your home by keeping all equipment, desks, and electronics in one place. It is worth considering the layout when fitting a home office – try to place desks facing bright, natural lighting and allocate space for an organized storage system for an efficient, mood-enhancing work environment.

Create a spare bedroom

From one bedroom to another, it may be best suited to your needs to turn your child’s old bedroom into a spare bedroom for guests and family. This option can be particularly beneficial if your child is only away for a few months at a time as it ensures they still have a bed to sleep in when they return, but the space isn’t wasted whilst they are away. It might be of interest to freshen up and redecorate the existing room, especially when considering the needs of other guests. 

Renting the room out 

Another advantage of converting the existing bedroom to a spare bedroom is the ability to rent the space out to lodgers or on sites such as Airbnb. Sites like Airbnb can be a flexible, easy way to generate extra income and can be rented out seasonally, so if your child returns at any point they still have access to the room. If you’re looking for a more permanent tenant, sites like SpareRoom and OpenRent provide easy renting options for single bedrooms. You may also consider offering the room out to refugees or those in need – the Homes for Ukraine and Room For Refugees Network offer various ways you can support them with your space. 

Extra storage

If you’re looking for ways to declutter and organize your home, using your child’s old bedroom can be a great way to neatly store belongings. To maximise your space, use shelving, cupboards and drawers to organize everything, making sure to label as you go. If you are regularly accessing the items you’ve stored, consider a layout that allows you to reach everything safely.

Whatever you decide to use the vacated space for, it is worth factoring in what is best for you and how you can make the most of your space.