This month’s Design with Sue blog is about a topic many of us think about from time to time. Sometimes our spaces simply stop working for us, and we begin to wonder what changes we could make to make our homes feel fresh again.
I like to think of this as “Changing Spaces.”
What does that mean exactly?
Well, most of us look at our homes and see each room in only one way. We assume the space has a single purpose and never really consider that there might be other possibilities.
Here’s a great example.
Many homes have a dining room that is only used a few times a year for holidays or special occasions. Yet when you look at the space, it often has wonderful character and ambience — the kind of room you might enjoy every day as a living area.
Most people will say, “Well, that’s the dining room, so it should stay a dining room.”
But what if you switched the rooms?
Yes, you might have to carry your food a few extra steps a few times a year, but isn’t it worth it to have a beautiful space that your family actually uses and enjoys every day?
Another feature in your home that you might not be taking full advantage of is your windows and the views they offer.
Do your windows look out onto gardens, a park, or your backyard? If so, consider changing your window coverings — or even removing them entirely — to let in more natural light and capture that beautiful view.
Then ask yourself: do you have a chair or sofa nearby where you can sit and enjoy it? A cozy spot by the window for reading, relaxing, or simply taking in the view can completely transform how a room feels.
If not, try rearranging your furniture to create a small seating area near the window. You may be surprised how much you enjoy that simple change.
Bedrooms are also wonderful candidates for changing room functions.
One very popular option today is transforming a bedroom into a home office. With a little paint, some inspiring artwork, and a creative setup, you can create a workspace that makes working from home feel enjoyable and productive.
Another idea is turning a bedroom into a hobby, craft, or sewing room — a place where you can unwind, create, and learn.
For me, a couple of dear friends recently suggested something I had never thought of. They encouraged me to turn my home office into a dressing room. They know me well — I have quite a collection of clothes tucked away in closets and bins, and I really wasn’t using my office to its full potential.
So within a week, I completely transformed the room into a fabulous dressing space that I absolutely love. I’m so glad I was open to changing the purpose of the room.
This concept can be applied to almost any space in your home — and even outside.
Garages and sheds can easily become inspiring spaces as well. Potting sheds and “she sheds” have become very popular, and they’re a wonderful way to create something special without breaking the budget.
This spring, I will be transforming my own shed into a potting shed filled with garden inspiration. I’m also planning to create a small sitting area in front of it — a place to relax among my favourite garden flowers.
I’m really looking forward to making these changes.
My hope is that after reading this, you might start looking at your own spaces a little differently and perhaps begin Changing Spaces in your own home.
Have fun, be creative, and most of all…
Enjoy your spaces.
Sue
