15 Clever Spare Room Ideas To Consider Based On Your Lifestyle

Spare bedrooms are often the one spot in a home that's wasted space — many people don't know what to do with the room. Just over half of Americans have at least one spare bedroom, with around 31% of those using it as a guest room, according to a YouGov survey. Creating a tranquil sleeping space for guests is a great way to use the room — there's certainly nothing wrong with this idea, but it might not be the best fit for your lifestyle. You might also be lucky enough to have more than one spare bedroom and be looking for ideas as to what to do with all the space.

Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways you can utilize a spare room so that it becomes a space that's useful to you personally. From home offices to wine rooms, there are a multitude of ideas to try out. The key consideration here is making the space work for your lifestyle. What do you wish you had more space to do at home? Perhaps you're a crafting fanatic, or you'd like to be able to exercise more without having to pay exorbitant gym fees? Our list of ideas should give you plenty of options to consider.

Knowing how to create a home office successfully will allow you to utilize your spare room space to create an area that's both comfortable and appealing to work in. Spare rooms are a great place to have your home office, as they're upstairs and away from the general living areas, making it easy to close the door against any noise. Invest in a high-quality chair and desk and add some personal touches with plants, photos, or vibrant wallpaper and curtains. 

If wine is your great love, then creating a bespoke space to store it all could be high on your wish list. A spare room is a perfect space to turn into an opulent wine cellar, with the addition of multiple wine racks to line the walls. You could also add in temperature-controlled units that will allow you to keep different wines at the perfect temperature, so they're ready for drinking. A bar-height table in the center of the room is the ideal spot for tasting wine with friends or showing off your collection.

Ask any avid reader their dream addition to the home, and it's likely to be a library. Spare rooms of any size can be lined with bookshelves, and you can add in the must-haves for the perfect home library, such as comfortable chairs to curl up in and a safe library ladder to reach upper volumes. You could even consider adding a daybed or chaise to create a cozy afternoon nap spot. 

If you're looking for home gym ideas that will inspire you to work out more, converting an unused spare room space into a workout area could be an obvious choice. Even a small spare room should have space for an exercise bike or treadmill, along with some free weights and a yoga mat. For added luxury, consider adding a television to watch as you work out. A large wall-mounted mirror will also allow you to check your form and help make the room seem more spacious. 

For the fashionistas amongst us, an entire room to turn into a wardrobe has to be the dream. Add fitted closets and open shelving to the walls to create space for clothes, shoes, and bags, and use the floor space for a comfortable chair so you can peruse your wardrobe collection at will. This open plan design makes it easy to see where everything is in your closet, but we'd also recommend adding in mirrors and daylight-balanced lighting to help you easily style each outfit. 

Children's toys have a tendency to get everywhere, and having to clear them away every night if you're in a shared space is a bore. The best way to design your child's playroom is to think about how you want to utilize the space. What do your kids enjoy doing? Perhaps they'd benefit from an activity center, or maybe a table and chairs for art projects would be a better fit. The downside of a spare room as a playroom is that it's harder to keep an eye on your kids, and you'll need to invest in good window locks for safety.

If you've got gamers in the house, creating a dedicated space for them to indulge is a good idea, particularly if you're not a gamer yourself. Serious gamers will love all the space for multiple screens and consoles. For those who aren't interested, it's a great way to reclaim your living room and keep the gaming noises contained. It's a win-win situation all round. 

Love the movies but don't particularly enjoy the public cinema experience? A home theater could be the answer, giving you a private space at home to enjoy your favorite films. Follow these genius tips for designing the perfect theater room, and pay attention to details such as dimmable lighting and comfortable seating. You can easily create this home experience, no matter how large or small your spare room space is. 

If you're looking for craft room ideas that you'll want in your own home, the spare room is a good place to start. This is an ideal space to indulge your creative side and could be a perfect room to utilize for a number of different crafts, from sewing and knitting to collaging and painting. If you're planning on messy crafts, think about stripping back the floors to hardwood or tile, and make sure you put in plenty of storage cabinets to keep all your tools and supplies in. A comfy chair is the final must-have addition.

Whether you're a talented musician or want to start podcasting, a home recording studio could be a nice fit for your spare room. You can start with basic equipment such as a microphone, a cheap digital audio workstation, a computer, sound monitors, and an audio interface, and build up from here. If you have the budget, room treatment to prevent sounds from bouncing off the walls is the ultimate addition.  

Most photographers dream of having their own studio, but renting one out can be prohibitively expensive. So, instead, why not consider turning your spare room into a bespoke photography studio? Even a normal ceiling height will give you space to add in different lighting rigs, and some simple storage units will allow you to store cameras, lenses, and other accessories. The downside of a photography studio in your home is that, if you photograph portraits, you have clients or friends tramping up and down your stairs. 

Creating the perfect meditation room in your home can help with practicing mindfulness on a regular basis, helping to lower your stress levels and keep you calm. Look at adding soft, earthy colors that promote an air of serenity, and keep furniture and accessories to a minimum. The final touches are, of course, completely up to you, but we'd recommend comfy seating, plenty of natural light, and some potted plants to create a connection with nature.  

Playing pool is a popular pursuit. But if it's a game you enjoy, there's little more frustrating than waiting for your turn in a dodgy neighborhood dive. So, if you've got the space, why not turn your spare room into a dedicated pool table room where you can relax and hone your skills whenever you feel like it? Of course, a pool table does require a large space, so if you don't have the room, you could look at alternative games such as poker tables or even an old-fashioned arcade game.

Perhaps you'd like to use your spare room for other pursuits but still have guests coming to stay from time to time. The Murphy bed is the perfect way to maximize your guest space, allowing you to fold the bed away when it's not in use and utilize the space for something else. Once a Murphy bed is folded back into the wall, you'll have plenty of floor space for things such as kids' toys or art supplies. And, with the addition of some clever storage, these can all be stored away when guests stay.  

Man caves are a little last century, so why not create a 'people place' in your spare room that's designed to appeal to all the members of your family and their different hobbies and interests? This is the more inclusive trend taking over homes in 2026, as people of all genders enjoy sports and gaming. You could go for the traditional big screen and comfy seating approach or even add in a few elements to play indoor sports in the space.