Remodel Tips for Empty Nesters

After eighteen or more years of listening to the pitter patter of little feet running down the halls, adjusting to a home without children can be a bit of a culture shock to empty nesters. After Junior is gone for good (or at least the near future), it’s time for a new routine, and ultimately establishing a “new normal.” For the first time in two decades, the focus gets to be back on you. One way to embrace this new found focus is remodeling your child’s old room to something that better fits your current needs. Whether it’s one room down the hall or two upstairs, here’s some great inspiration to revamp children’s rooms to support your new normal – and maybe help cut the apron strings in the process.

Feel Better, Be Better

This is a time to get reacquainted with yourself and your personal needs. Being a parent is no easy task, as it seems like there is always something going on. Whether you are zipping across town between soccer/baseball/dance practices, cooking what feels like enough food to feed and army, or scrubbing the latest crayon masterpiece off the wallpaper, there’s hardly enough time in the day to get everything done. Finding time for yourself on top of that? Practically impossible.

Luckily, with your little darlings off to bigger, brighter adventures, you may find your schedule suddenly has more white space than you’re used to. What better way to give back to yourself than turning that extra room into a space that’s all about putting your best self forward? If you’re tired of bumping into the end table when you attempt Warrior Pose or dream of the day you can jog in the privacy of your own home, a home gym could be the perfect solution. Whether your preferred methods include free weights, stability balls, or a ballet barre, get ready to banish, “I don’t have time to go to the gym” from your vocabulary.

If you’re more about calming down than pumping up, a zen room is another great use for a space that used to be littered with band posters and piles of clothes. Trade the posters for a coat of paint in calming colors like pastel blue or green. Fill the empty space with aromatherapy and gentle music, and become reacquainted with this foreign concept of “calm.”

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

If your personal hobbies went on the backburner when your bundle of joy bounded into your life, get ready to pick them back up again! Feeling creative? Transform the space into an art studio and let your imagination soar. Whether your medium of choice is oils, pastels, ceramics or paper, having a place for all your supplies can really help you keep up that creative momentum. If your hobby is more of the collecting variety, the room can be used to showcase all of your favorite pieces with the addition of just a little shelving. Perhaps all you’ve ever dreamed of is a space to binge watch your favorite soap critique your favorite films. The home theatre of your dreams can be obtained with just a big screen TV and some comfy furniture – or paint the opposite wall white and view your films larger than life with a simple projector. The best part? Your private concession stand is just down the hall, and bathroom breaks come with a pause button.

Mi Casa es Mi Casa… and Maybe, Sometimes Su Casa

Maybe you like going out for your exercise and zen, whether that means talking a hike through the great outdoors or driving to the local yoga studio. Maybe your hobbies aren’t the indoor variety, like sailing or horseback riding. In that case, a homier solution might be perfect for you. If your wardrobe takes up half the master closet… and the hall closet… and the plastic containers under the bed… and the shoe organizer on the back of the closet door, why not consolidate your fashionable wares into the empty room? Suddenly, you have a 100+ square foot walk-in closet at your disposal. Some shelves, a chest of drawers, floor length mirrors and hanging bars are all you need to unleash your inner fashionista or dapper dan.

If you fear Junior’s recent independence may not be as permanent as planned, or you’d simply like to have some of your own friends sleep over for a change, a more conservative repurposing of the room is creating a beautiful guest room out of the space. We hear you – it’s already a bedroom, you say. True, but when you sister flies in from Akron, she probably won’t want to sleep in a room with super heroes and sports cars staring down from the ceiling. Paint the walls something light and remove any unnecessary furniture to help make the space appear bigger. Another trick? Put a mirror opposite the window – the light will reflect back and give the illusion of a bigger room. Invest in some neutral, comfortable linens and simple décor, and toss that air mattress in the trash. From now on, your friends and family sleep in the “guest suite.”

If you’re feeling especially generous, that guest list can even include Junior.

Parenthood doesn’t stop when your kids grow up and move out, but an empty nest does mean some changes in your lifestyle. Make the most of them, starting with that empty bedroom. It’s a way to truly regain the space and start to ease into this new chapter of your lives. If you find yourself starting to have more empty rooms than inspiration, though, it might be time to downsize. At GCD, we’re here for you through every step of parenthood, whether that means shrinking down to that cozy condo for two or finding something with room for a nursery. Check out our communities, and when you’re ready, reach out to us. We’ll happily get you started on your path to GCD homeownership.