When you get a bonus in your paycheck, it’s exciting and a cause for celebration. The same is true of a bonus room in a home.
Bonus rooms — also called multipurpose rooms, double-duty rooms or flex spaces — are rooms that can be whatever you want them to be. This extra room in your home gives you the freedom to live the way you want, allowing your home to fit your lifestyle, not the other way around.
Some homeowners see a bonus room and immediately know what they’ll use it for. They know what they’ve been missing in their current homes and what that flexible space will offer their lifestyle.
But others see a bonus room and are overwhelmed with the options available. After all, humans are often paralyzed when presented with too many options. Too often, bonus rooms turn into “junk rooms,” storage or closet overflow.
Whether you need something fun or functional, here are some ideas to utilize your bonus room to its true potential.
1. Family room
Not the same as a living room, a family room could be a little more homey, with furniture chosen for comfort over style and fully equipped with entertainment options, from board games to gaming systems.
2. Home theater
If you can’t afford a big-screen TV, just use the wall, invest in a projector and setup a movie theater experience in your own home. You can make this as kitschy as you want, with a popcorn maker or soda machine, but all you really need is seating and a screen.
3. Game room
Channel an old-school arcade vibe and bring it into your own home. You can make it as modern as you want — with video gaming systems — or go old school with a pool table and dartboard.
4. Library
If you and your family are bookworms, installing a home library is the perfect way to instill some built-in relaxation. Install bookshelves, bring in some lamps and supply comfortable reading chairs, and you’re all set for this area of peace.
5. Gym
Your bonus room might be the perfect place to install a home gym and stop paying outrageous fees. Plus having workout equipment in your own home without the need to drive somewhere makes you more likely to use it. You don’t’ need much to outfit a home gym: just an exercise mat and any other accoutrements you need will transform your bonus room pretty quickly.
6. Playroom
If you have children, a playroom can keep toys and noise from wreaking havoc on the rest of your home. Find some bins to keep everything well organized. To “clean up,” simply close the door!
7. Home office
Post-pandemic, more and more people are working from home. Your bonus room might be the perfect place to setup shop with a desk, your laptop and a nice plant to keep you company.
8. Creative studio
Let your imagination run wild with a creative studio in your home. Whatever your creative outlet is, embrace it by giving it a dedicated space. Just make sure you have a good organization system, great lighting and sufficient workspace.
A bonus room just makes your home even better, providing you options and flexibility that will make your dream home a reality. How you use it is up to you!