Spare rooms are often, well, left spare. Rather than treating them with intentionality, we end up using them to store things that don’t have a home anywhere else. But they have so much more to offer. These spare room ideas show how to use your ‘bonus’ room for endless possibilities. And with purposeful design choices, they can earn their place in any home. Here are our six smart ideas to transform your spare room:

• The Guest Bedroom

• The Second Living Room

• The Home Office

• The Cinema Room

• The Home Library

• The Dressing Room

Different ways to use your spare room – and how to style it

1. The Guest Bedroom

We’re starting with the obvious choice for any spare room – a spare bedroom. And where better to begin your design than with a comfortable bed! Choose a size that suits the space of your room, whether that’s a double or a king, to guarantee every visitor a good night’s sleep. A strong, classic style like our Turin Collection won't date as trends come and go. Position the bed centrally for easy access on both sides and maximum visual impact.

When you think about it, very few of us ever sleep in our own guest beds, so they can be easily overlooked. If you’re confident your current bed is doing the job, don’t throw it out – just refresh it. Adding a new headboard is a simple, refined way to give your guest room a considered finish the next time your loved ones come to stay.

2. The Second Living Room

Not one, but two spaces designed for lounging? It might sound a little unusual, but turning a spare room into a second living room isn’t actually a new concept. In older homes, it was common to find a formal living room or parlour for guests, holidays and hosting, alongside a more casual family room for cosy evenings and relaxed get-togethers. So use this as your chance to separate your rooms out for purpose too.

Your primary living room might be more on the casual side, so let your second living space take on a different personality. Give the room a touch more polish or atmosphere, saved for hosting, special occasions, or whenever you want a change of tone. Invest in more considered design choices like our Florence sofa collection, a refined colour palette or curated décor that give the room a sense of occasion.

If your primary living room is currently more formal, then do the opposite. Turn your spare room into its relaxed, lived-in counterpart – a room where comfort rules. Bring in deep, sink-in seating, laid-back textiles, and warm, inviting lighting. By defining each room with a clear intention, you gain flexibility: one space for the rhythm of everyday life, and another that elevates extraordinary moments you don’t want to forget.

3. The Home Office

Whether full-time or flexible, working from home is nothing new. So giving yourself a dedicated space for productivity will have any spare room working hard in no time. Staple pieces like a spacious desk and comfortable chair are obvious, but lighting is often overlooked.

As you’ll likely use your home office from morning through to evening, the right lighting really matters, especially if your spare room lacks natural light. Placing a table light, like our Hepworth Lamp, behind your laptop or monitor screen will help deflect glare. Although more associated with bedrooms and living rooms, floor lamps are another practical choice. They can make a useful addition to your home office lighting scheme too. Choose a design tall enough to create overhead lighting, like our Leonie Light, so you can switch from bright focus to a softer glow as the day winds down.

4. The Cinema Room

At one point considered ostentatious, cinema rooms (or movie rooms) are certainly on the rise. These amazing home cinema spaces are, unsurprisingly, spare rooms dedicated to sitting and watching movies and TV together. And in recent years, they’ve started overtaking craft rooms as a more popular way to use spare rooms. Just like a real cinema, colour-washing your walls and ceilings with dark shades and jewel tones creates a cocooning feel that, when paired with black-out blinds, is perfect for curling up and enjoying your favourite films.

When it comes to furniture, choose sturdy yet chic pieces, like our Toronto TV Stand in Dark Ash, then prioritise comfort. Our cinema-style Kenzie Collection blends form and function for unforgettable movie nights, making it ideal for any home cinema or movie room. Enjoy supreme comfort with power-controlled headrest and footrest recliners, built-in cup holders, wireless charging, adjustable LED lighting, and plenty of room to stretch out and lose yourself in a great movie.

5. The Home Library

A home library might sound fancy, but it doesn’t need anything quite as grand as wooden staircases or a ladder on wheels. Spacious bookshelves, a cosy blanket and, of course, a comfortable place to relax and read can create the perfect space with absolute simplicity.

Cooler shades like greens and blues are a calming choice for any home library, helping to create an atmosphere where your mind can settle and sink into a story. The soothing tones of our Natalia Swivel Chair in Sage Green pair elegantly with gold-accented pieces like our Perla Rug, bringing a subtle hint of glamour that feels refined rather than showy. You could even add a small bar, complete with moody lighting from our Chloe Collection and cosy bar stools like our Rhett Bar Stool in Caramel, turning the room into a quiet escape designed for lingering.

6. The Dressing Room

More than just a luxury, a dreamy dressing room is one of the easiest and most practical ways to use a spare room. By moving your clothes out of your bedroom, you instantly create a calmer sleeping space while gaining a dedicated area where getting ready feels effortless.

As well as a wardrobe, consider adding a chest of drawers or two – a brilliant choice for storing not just clothes, but your accessories and beauty products as well. The low profile and ample width of a design like our Manhattan Chest of Drawers also give you extra surface space to place photos, vases and candles that make the room feel thoughtfully curated.

Don’t forget to add a full-length mirror for extra brightness and, of course, the perfect place to check your outfit. A leaner mirror, like our Rorik design, saves the fuss of hanging if you don’t have the time, but can still go on the wall if you need it to. And, if space allows, consider creating a comfortable place to sit by adding in some seating, like our Maeve Day Bench. You can perch as you put on shoes, plan outfits, or simply take a quiet moment to enjoy your own little spare room sanctuary.

Your spare room can become truly special when every choice is made with purpose. Whether you transform it into a sanctuary for guests or a place for you to unwind and enjoy, the right design decisions let the space earn its place in your home. By pairing pieces that work hard with thoughtful touches, like colour schemes and crafted furniture, even a once-forgotten corner can become a space with presence, character and a quiet sense of intention.