Many of us have realized that incorporating spaces in our home that are versatile can truly improve our everyday lifestyle. Those challenging COVID-19 lockdown days caused us to be creative and find ways for our family members to work, study and take time for self-care all in one house. We don’t all have extra rooms to spare, so creating spaces that are versatile can make these activities possible, without requiring a new addition.
There are many ways to create a flex space in your home. You first need to decide which activities are a priority and would benefit your family the best. Flex spaces are also meant to adapt with you through different chapters of life. If your home does not have an empty flex room, you can use a spare bedroom or office. However, sometimes it is as simple as adding a console table that can also be used as a desk in your living room. An alcove in an upper level hallway could become a quiet homework station. A home office could second as a guest bedroom by adding a sleeper sofa or a Murphy bed.
In many cases, we can create a space with multiple different amenities. For instance, an unoccupied bedroom can be a guest bedroom, home office and exercise room all in one! In our Rivertown remodel project, we utilized the second bedroom as a flex room by bringing in four
amenities into one space. We created a guest bedroom, home office, a space for exercise, yoga and meditation, as well as a quiet spot to pick up a good book and relax.
We encourage you to rethink areas of your home that may not be heavily used to create zones for different needs. And don’t forget that a room can have more than one function. Make your wish list, and be creative. We’re pretty sure your whole family will enjoy it.
Amy Leferink is the founder and principal designer at Interior Impressions. Find more at interiorimpressions.org.
