As someone living in around 1,500 square feet, wishing I had just a little bit more elbow room to move around or have a few dedicated areas for specific needs (my home office, a playroom for my kid, a hobby room for myself and my husband’s special interests), I chuckle at the thought of having enough “dead” space to be pondering what to do with it. However, I know plenty of homes, particularly new builds with excess square footage, have areas that might leave you scratching your head over what its purpose should be. A loft at the top of the stairs, perhaps? A big, empty basement? Maybe even a strange alcove in your primary bedroom, or under your staircase.

There’s also the scenario that you simply don’t need something like a formal dining room, an extra bedroom for guests, or even a full-sized mudroom or laundry room. I love the idea of truly personalizing your home to how you want to and need to use it, which means rethinking what you’re told a room is on a floor plan versus what it could be for you.

So…what can you transform those empty or confusing spots into? Well, I have some pretty fun ideas to explore today. Let’s get those creative neurons firing.

design by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland reveal: you’ll never guess what this bookcase is hiding…

But first, for a little close-to-home inspiration. Remember this bookcase in the upstairs landing of the Portland project Emily designed years ago? It secretly opened up to a hidden playroom with a skylight for light and ventilation:

design by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland reveal: you’ll never guess what this bookcase is hiding…

It was so cool and such a good use of space that otherwise would have gone to waste. Is it big enough for an adult to stand in? No, but the kid-friendly space was a pocket-sized and cozy little play haven that excited everyone who saw it.

Room Rethink #1: Keeping Room

So, let’s say you have a breakfast nook and then a larger dining space right next to it (I’ve seen that in some homes). Or perhaps a den that’s closed off and used more as a space to collect all your random odds and ends. Well, how about you turn it into a keeping room, instead?

I just love the idea of a keeping room, which traditionally was a warm, multi-purpose gathering space in early Colonial homes that was located next to the kitchen where the family would congregate for warmth from the hearth, talk, and do chores while the cook worked. It served as a cozy, informal family room, sometimes also called a hearth room, that was a place to relax, keep company, and even sleep or shelter small animals in winter to take advantage of the heat from the fireplace.

Today, it’s not really a necessity thanks to the marvels of central heating, but having a casual and comfortable little sitting room just off the kitchen to gather, read, or even have small bites and sips is such a charming concept.

Let’s look at this keeping room that squeezed in a large dining table and a sofa. It’s not often you see a leather tufted couch in the dining and kitchen area mix, but I think having varied seating types like this makes for a really interesting (and useful) arrangement.

You can even bring some cabinetry over and create an open butler’s pantry or coffee bar, which would be clutch for entertaining in an intimate setting.

While not all keeping rooms need a fireplace anymore, it sure does make things cozy. This whole set up that opens up to an outdoor veranda feels like an entertainer’s dream.

Here’s a more traditional and rustic keeping room in Leanne Ford’s previous Los Angeles home. As you can spot, it’s just off the kitchen and a simple (but beautiful) landing spot to stay near the action in the absence of a big, open floor plan.

This quaint keeping room by Our Prairie Farmhouse Goods makes me want to take up knitting or needlepoint to sit and keep my hands busy (and warm) while someone else makes me some kind of porridge or stew. What a nice-sounding life.

Room Rethink #2: Home Library

Here’s one nearly everyone can fit into their homes one way or another: a library. Now, you might be imagining a Beauty & the Beast expanse, but as you’ll see, all you really need is some empty wall space to achieve this bookworm dream.

The above home, by Gil Schafer, is very obviously an absolutely gorgeous luxury home, but I love the takeaway of these floor-to-ceiling bookcases. I can imagine this in a landing area between rooms, on one side of a wide hallway or transition space, or even, as I’ll explore in a moment, on one wall of a dining space.

This whole carousel of images is chock-full of home library inspiration, but the first image is why I included it, because it’s the most realistic for most of us, I believe. I like the idea of building shelving up above the headspace of a small reading nook with a ladder for access. Ideal for a corner in any living space you’re looking to fill with character and purpose.

A dining room-meets-library is one of my life goals. Few things feel as lush, lived-in, and character-filled then surrounding your dining table and chairs with multiple bookcases and a cascade of hardbacks and paperbacks.

Add some closed storage below to check the boxes that a sideboard or credenza otherwise would; they’ll help you stash extra dinnerware, serving platters, linens, small appliances (if you have a small kitchen, as I do), board games, crafts, homework supplies, and beyond.

Elle the Home Bird’s dining space proves you don’t need every wall covered in books to have the library impact. One area is more than enough to get the point across.

Room Rethink #3: Cloffice

The “cloffice” (or closet-office) has been a very buzzy term this year in interiors. If you have a whole bedroom to dedicate to it, it’s part clothes storage/dressing room, part office. If you need a work area but don’t have a dedicated room, it can mean sacrificing a small step-in closet to transform it into a desk nook. Either way, I love this clever use of space.

What a luxury it would be to have a beautiful sitting room-meets-office-meets-walk-in-closet in my home. So many families I know have “man caves” in their homes, but I think it’s time women start claiming some space of their own for their own time away. A cloffice or parlor might tickle your fancy.

Such a chic cloffice by Molly Kidd Studio. The loungey bench really brings it home, imho.

This is more closet and vanity than closet and office, but the make-up area by the window could easily be a desk, as well. It reminds me of my days in the beauty and accessories closet at Brides magazine during my summer internship…but with more light because my area was better suited for a hobbit than this masterpiece by Noorein Kapoor Design.

If visual clutter prevents you from locking in and focusing, perhaps closet built-ins with doors and drawers would be better for you. Honestly, this makes me think that the giant walk-in closet I had in the Boca Raton apartment I lived in prior to moving to LA could have definitely fit a desk and, with some styling, could have been a wonderful cloffice. Think outside the box!

Take that step-in closet in your guest bedroom and tuck in a clever work area! That way, you can fit in a proper bed, as opposed to a pull-out sofa, and still have enough room to move around. Bonus points for going bold with a deep red like Amber from West On Willow did above.

Oh, and don’t overlook a small closet in an entryway or hallway either. Where there is a will (and need), there is a way!

Room Rethink #4: Quiet Corner

If we’re clever and resourceful, so much of our home can be truly optimized to squeeze in more function. And while I know not everyone is a reader, a quiet corner (or reading nook, whatever you want to call it) can really shake up your day in terms of variety of where you hang around at home.

If you don’t need the space under your stairs to stash things away, get inspired by this amazing built-in upholstered bench. I can imagine myself tucked in there with my noise-cancelling headphones on, shutting out the responsibility of parenting and partnering for just a few minutes.

Gosh, is this so stinking charming. With or without the round, deeply-inset window, creating a window seat and then adding a small pedestal table and another seating option feels like the only way I want to fill a corner in bedrooms and expansive living rooms from now on.

Another under-the-stairs option with a step-up lounge area. Wrap it in compact bookcases or keep it stripped down, your choice.

Should you have extra floor space in a spare bedroom or even a loft area, why not extend the idea of a window seat into a window BED? Curtains keep it private and cushy, and I bet you’ll be happy to have this during the holidays when you’re trying to figure out where to pack everyone into.

Different style, same effect.

Room Rethink #5: Craft Or Hobby Studio

Both my husband and I have some crafty hobbies: I sew on occasion (or pick up random DIY ideas here and there), and he does photography. Having a dedicated studio for both of our pastimes sure does beat him moving everything around in the garage to shoot, and me taking everything off the dining table (which also includes my work setup) every time I want to sew something up.

Wow-wee, this looks like a proper studio space, but I’m sure you can pull inspiration from it for something more small-scale. An open wood island in the center of a room paired with some wall storage is a genius use of space if you have a hobby like sewing (for cutting your fabrics), scrapbooking (to lay all your pages out), and even gift wrapping.

Though don’t forget, all you need is about two to three feet of depth in any spot to get something like the above. And while you may see a sewing machine, just replace that with whatever your desired hobby might be: journalling, sketching, clay modeling, pen paling…whatever.

Another center-island idea. The adjustable chair makes it so that you can either stand or sit, which is a really nice option to have if your hobby or craft keeps you popping up or plopping down.

Art studio much?? What a beautiful use of a converted attack space or room above the garage. I think we’re so quick to think about creating areas for guests whenever the few times a year they come, that we forget to prioritize our own needs and desires that occupy the majority of your home’s time.

Room Rethink #6: Speakeasy

And lastly, I give it up to our gal Mallory for helping me think of this one. Cheers to you, Mal, for helping us realize even a tiny broom closet can turn into a sexy, secret speakeasy.

Case in point. Don’t miss her reveal of this space in her apartment here.

Not a big reader? Skip the book nook and go all-in on a hidden bar. And don’t skip the luxe materials, because they are really what make these compact spirit closets feel extra special.

Or perhaps you have a whole basement to contend with? Pull inspiration from your favorite favorite or cocktail bar and just scale it down to fit the size you are working with. Punchy tile floors, saturated color drenching, and even some fun signage will get you there.

Another home bar by a great person to follow, Kate Pearce Vintage. If I were scrolling quickly, I’d think this was in the lobby of a hotel.

It’s giving secret hideaway. (Click through to see how well the door to this home bar fits into the wall paneling.) Oh, and remember: Just as Emily created a hidden playroom, you can take this speakeasy concept and apply it to anything your heart desires. I find everything feels extra cool when it has an element of a secret passageway.

Until next time, friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mallory’s Speakeasy Reveal