SPARE ROOM? 5 WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU

If you’re fortunate enough to have a spare room in your home then there are lots of ways you can make full use of it, without letting it go to waste.

Unfortunately, spare rooms often become dumping grounds for all those items that haven’t found their place yet, or which don’t get used anymore but you can’t bear to let go of either.

If this sounds familiar, then clear it out and consider these five ways to make your spare room work for you.

1. Convert it into a Home Office

With more of us now working from home, turning your spare room into a home office could be just what you need, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

All you really need is a basic desk or worktop that can be easily fixed to the wall and an office chair. That’s it. Of course, you can add filing cabinets, bookcases, shelves and anything else that springs to mind, but a work surface and a chair will be adequate to get you started.

The beauty of it is, it’s your space to personalise exactly how you want, and it’s far better for your posture than being curled up on the sofa with your laptop. It’s also a great way of separating your home and work life, with the dining room table going back to being the space where you eat, and the office being exclusively for work.

Thinking longer term, demand for properties with a home office has increased dramatically recently, so an office space could make your home more attractive to buyers if you plan to sell in the future.

2. Home Gym

This is probably the most expensive option on the list, but it’s also the most beneficial healthwise, and you’ll save money on gym membership over the long term.

You can start small and build up your equipment. Purchase a mat, a step, some dumbbells or kettlebells, resistance bands and a bench to start with, before moving onto bigger and more expensive equipment such as a treadmill, spin bike or rowing machine if there’s sufficient space.

If you use it regularly you’ll not only become physically fitter, but your mental wellbeing will improve too.

Having a gym inside your home will also help you avoid making excuses to exercise and ensure you start working on those fitness goals you’ve been putting off!

3. Rent it Out

If you’re looking for some extra income then renting out the spare room is the perfect solution.

There are numerous ways to do this and understandably many people are quite sceptical, so if the idea of having a stranger living in your home is too daunting then you could rent it out to a friend or relative for a few months first.

On the other hand, if the idea of a stranger staying doesn’t bother you then a lodger will give you a guaranteed monthly income. You could also advertise the room on a website like Airbnb and have different guests using it for shorter stays.

The downside of doing this is that you won’t know how much you’ll earn each month, as some months could be very quiet, but if you live in a town or city with lots of attractions and events happening regularly, then this could be the most lucrative option.

If you choose to rent out your spare room the Government's Rent a Room Scheme allows you to earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free.

4. Make it Multi-Functional

There’s no reason why your spare room needs to have one sole purpose. Why not combine ideas to get maximum use out of it?

For example, you could have a home office with a sofa-bed and a TV in it. This way you’ll have a workspace combined with a snug or second living room, and a place for visitors to stay.

Or you could have an office, with a bar and a dartboard in it for after hours! There are countless possibilities and you can be as creative as you like, so let your imagination run wild.

5. Walk-in Wardrobe

Admit it, we’ve all watched one of those celebrity TV shows at some point and thought how cool it would be to have a room filled with all our clothes!

Well fortunately you don’t need to be a millionaire with a mansion to have this yourself, just a spare room and of course, a lot of clothes and shoes to fill it with.

When it comes to cost, you don’t need to fork out hundreds of pounds on new wardrobes and cupboards. Just some clothes rails and a few shelves will do the trick if you plan it well.

What will you use your spare room for?

Amar Mustafa - The REAL Estate Agent is your local property expert for the Hackney area. Call me on 020 3150 5007 or email amar@therealagent.co.uk to talk about all things property.