Finding Your Nest a Little Empty?

Now that Junior's out of the house, it's time to start thinking about what to do with all that extra space. After speaking with several empty nesters, I compiled a list of suggestions on how they managed their own empty nesters' syndrome.

1. Downsizing- Sometimes cutting your living space in half is just the ticket to filling that empty space. Maybe it's time to put that hunker back on the market and start looking into the cozy little cottage or the posh condo you've had your eye on. Not only will you have less to clean, but you'll have more time to do what you love and more money to do it with. It may even help pay for Junior's tuition!
2. Craft room- So maybe you like where you live and have no plans to move whatsoever. But now what to do with that empty bedroom. Remember that hobby you gave up when the kids came along? Now is the perfect time to get back into that sport or craft you always loved, and now you have a whole room in which to do it. Maybe you're a scrapbooker and need room for all your ribbons and knick knacks. With desks and drawers and the correct lighting, you can have the perfect room for your requirements. Don't feel guilty for getting Junior's stuff out of the room. This is your space now to do what you like with it. And it can be great therapy to get your mind off of your empty nest.
3. Guest room- Well maybe you're not a crafty person and would like family to visit every once in awhile, but don't want the room to reflect the pig sty it was when your kids lived there. Maybe you have some antique furniture in storage that you've been dying to pull out, or maybe you just want to splurge and buy some new odds and ends. It's time to spruce up the old cave and make it inhabitable for civilized beings. Make it an oasis for any visitor, and if you like having company, they'll never want to leave!
4. Office/Den- If you find yourself working at home, you might want to consider having your own office. Now you can take your tiny desk out of the corner of your living or dining room and invest in a full-blown executive office set, complete with filing cabinets and bookshelves to help organize your work. Add a couch with a pull-out bed and convert your office into a guest room so the kiddos can still visit from college and have a decent place to sleep.
5. Vanity/Dressing Room- If you're lucky enough to have a spare bedroom next to your master suite, it only takes a few contract workers and a designer to knock down a wall and create your glamorous celebrity-style dressing room, complete with 360 degree mirrors, vanity lighting, and chandeliers. Why not pamper yourself with a little glitz and glam? After all, you deserve it after taking care of others for so long.

Hopefully these suggestions have eased up the tension of your empty nest, and now you can start focusing your energies on a new project. Remember to contact your local interior decorator who can transform any design nightmare into your stylish oasis. Feel free to leave us comments or questions, and don't forget to subscribe to our blog with the links to the right. Happy decorating!