We are reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives. One of the most significant changes is the amount of time people are spending at home. This shift has led many families to seriously rethink the functionality of their living space. They’re eking out every last inch of usable room in their homes to serve new purposes.
Enter the flex room. The idea behind these spaces is a room that can suit a variety of needs. Maybe, if you’re a young family, it becomes a child’s playroom. As they get older, it transforms into a study area or a teen hangout. Then you can turn it into a home gym when the kids go off to college. A flex room can be any of these options or serve multiple functions simultaneously.
These spaces can be incredibly beneficial for homeowners, but only if you use them to their max potential. We’ve rounded up several popular uses to get your creative juices flowing.
Flex rooms on any floor work decently as a home gym, especially on the first floor or basement, since they’ll handle impact from weights and cardio the best. You can create your own exercise room on pretty much any budget depending on your needs and the size of the space, from a small rack of weights and a mat to a full room with a mirrored wall and large equipment.
Mindfulness is a crucial aspect of stress management, which is becoming increasingly necessary these days. A wellness room could be a quiet retreat designed for yoga, meditation or prayer.
With many of us having the option to work from home, the need for a home office has grown. Rather than working from your couch or dining room table, transform your flex room into an office space and get some much-needed privacy and quiet.
A flex room in your basement could make a stellar home theater. Add a big screen, projector, comfy seats and a popcorn maker, and you’ll have the makings of a great time. Invite friends over to watch the game or settle in for a cozy date night at home.
Even kids with the most minimal of toys seem to spread them everywhere. A dedicated playroom is a perfect place to store everything, from small doll accessories to large train sets. While you’re at it, add some stocked bookshelves to encourage reading — just make sure you prevent tipping by anchoring them to the wall.
Your company will thank you for creating them a relaxing retreat. Flex rooms on any floor make a good guest room. However, you’ll want to make sure there’s any easily accessible bathroom for them to use.
Crafters will get a kick out of a space designed just for them. Some built-in storage and a large table would work wonders for just about any hobbyist. Customize the room, but ensure any extensive upgrades are easily removable or could be multi-purposed in case you want to change the room’s function down the road.
Have a music lover in the family? Instruments can be challenging to store, so give them their own space. As an added bonus, soundproof your flex room so anyone can practice without disturbing the rest of the house.
Books take up a surprising amount of space. If you love reading but struggle to store all your favorites, using your flex room to set up your own library might be a great use of space. Throw in a chaise lounge, plenty of bookshelves, mood lighting and maybe even an electric fireplace to establish some ambiance.
The best part about a flex room is the possibilities are endless. You could design any one of these fantastic rooms but change your mind and go in a completely different direction in a few years as your needs change. Many people even use their flex room for multiple functions, such as a guest room and office combination. No matter what you decide to create, make sure it’s something you’ll use regularly. Otherwise, it’s just wasted space.
