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Repurposing a room

(23 Posts)
Pandagran28 Sat 21-Feb-26 19:25:52

We have recently emptied a bedroom, redecorated and put down laminate flooring.

It’s 12x12 feet

I want to use it for craft, exercise videos, possibly office.

Any ideas re layout, furniture etc please?

Norah Sat 21-Feb-26 19:44:19

I've a craft room upstairs.

Two draw leaf old pub tables at 90 degrees one to the other in the corner. Draw-leaf out on each one, to the corner. Outward draw-leaf bits used as needed.

Tall cupboards on opposing wall. Welsh dresser at the end.

Silvershadow Sat 21-Feb-26 19:55:42

We have just done similar. We bought a small desk and bookcase so DH has an office area, plus a swivel chair that tucks right under. Plenty of room also for cutting out fabric on the floor, or putting my yoga mat down for exercises. It’s also got a built in wardrobe which is used for DHs clothes that are not the current season. It’s worked out well, it’s now a used room and it wasn’t before.

Sillyman Sun 22-Feb-26 07:40:10

Flexible furniture options are preferred (if you have limited space). For wall and paint colours, you might go with blue or different shades of blue belovednook.com/dark-blue-bedroom-ideas/

Sago Sun 22-Feb-26 09:11:19

Without knowing the position of the door, windows and plug sockets it’s impossible to give advice.

I would take a picture and put the information in ChatGPT.

It’s brilliant.

Casdon Sun 22-Feb-26 09:16:33

Do you have exercise equipment you need to fit in the room, and how much space will you need to exercise comfortably? I’d consider that first, allocate a portion of the room accordingly, as that will determine what other space you have left?

keepingquiet Sun 22-Feb-26 09:25:02

For any craft activity lighting is paramount- especially daylight.

My sister did the same with her downstairs room and showed me all the fancy stuff she bought and the expensive work desk- but I noticed straight away how dark the room was with very little natural light! The work desk was facing a wall so she would have her back to the window!

Clearly not well thought through...

Chardy Sun 22-Feb-26 09:45:05

I wanted all my craft stuff hidden away like this computer cupboard
www.dunelm.com/product/bryant-hideaway-cabinet-1000229681?
But I wanted a 'hidden' table incorporated
Instead of buying the whole thing together (over £1,000!) DD found separate IKEA pieces that would fit together inc a folding table for about half the price

Silvershadow Sun 22-Feb-26 10:30:36

I’d agree that lighting is important. Our little room is quite dark as it faces east and doesn’t get much sun into it. All walls are painted white and as well as a centre light we have a desktop light plus a table lamp. These give us what we need. We didn’t spend a huge sum on our room but wanted it to look nice and comfortable so we shopped carefully. It works for our needs.

Doodledog Sun 22-Feb-26 10:55:28

There are some good ideas here for storage that opens up to provide tables and worktops as well as having drawers in which to put it all away.

storage4crafts.com/collections/the-storeaway?srsltid=AfmBOortbYGlffyWaChK9Bb9-c_d6NSOtae--W0KGZm3IYH45KeoT9hG

Not as attractive as the one Chardy posted, but very useful.

Chardy Sun 22-Feb-26 12:54:51

There's a company on Etsy that does freestanding Handcrafted Pantries ('pantries' seems to get you doors with storage) which look gorgeous

Weddingbelle123 Mon 23-Feb-26 14:11:26

I repurposed a bedroom as a craft room. I found Ikea units really good

aggie Mon 23-Feb-26 15:31:33

I had a room upstairs for my crafts , painting, knitting, crochet and card making , I found it lonely and brought projects down to join the family in front of the tv , some stuff never found it’s way back upstairs
Other stuff languished in my “ craft “ room , I’m on my own now and the sideboard holds my card making stuff , my yarn is in boxes here and there , but I do use all of it

EmilyHarburn Mon 23-Feb-26 16:11:28

ook at thie site www.furniture-work.co.uk/home-office-furniture. I buy edcational furniture from a relatively local firm. Its fit for puurpose. I have 2 art cupboards withshelves they are on weels and when I go my relatives can give them to the local primary school. I also have upright sheleves on wheels. There is a huge choice.

4allweknow Mon 23-Feb-26 16:23:20

Laminate will be serviceable for a craft room but personally I would never have hard flooring in an upstairs room. And as for in flats, should only be permitted in kitchens and bathrooms.

justwokeup Mon 23-Feb-26 16:34:25

What lovely craft storage that is Doodledog. I knew my bedroom makeover would have to be multipurpose so tried to keep it economical. I used most of my budget on a good sofabed for visitors to stay and a comfy place for me to sit. It’s pale-coloured to brighten the room. The old computer table holds my sewing machine and pins/scissors/thread/small fabric boxes. I used the built-in wardrobe and kitted it out with plastic storage boxes for wool, fabric etc, an old bookcase for craft books and the existing drawers for patterns, kits, glue, paper etc. There’s a fold-down table hidden behind the sofa which is good for fabric cutting and other projects. Everything quickly covers and returns to a bedroom when needed and there is room for the yoga mat on the floor. I guess your makeover won’t be like mine, and my room is slightly smaller than yours, but my advice is to measure every space (at least twice!) because you will get what you want in the size you want Pandagran28 if you search for it and look for multipurpose furniture. Enjoy your room.

CanadianGran Mon 23-Feb-26 20:49:18

My 'office' was once a bedroom on our main living floor.

It has a generous desk with file drawer, fairly large screen computer, small table with printer and a small tv mounted on one wall.

I have a fold out couch and small trunk for extra bedding, and in the closet I store craft items; my knitting, drawing and painting things, and children's craft/drawing items.

I can make room for my yoga mat by pushing the trunk closer to the couch, and play the video on the computer.

I think mine is very similar to Justwokeup's!

Grammaretto Mon 23-Feb-26 21:19:34

The ready made units look scarily expensive. I would go for an extendable table, an adjustable chair, an excellent light. A chest of drawers and a rubbish bin.
Maybe a mirror would be useful too.
The more storage you have, the more you store. Leave some floor space for your yoga mat.

Robin202 Mon 23-Feb-26 22:28:33

I have a craft room upstairs. I had a choice of a spare room downstairs or one upstairs so chose rhe upstairs room as it has a skylight window which provides lots of light above a desk. I have lots of Ikea shelves for storage 2 on 3 of the walls, a bookcase for more storage and a comfy sofa. I love it. My issue is keeping it tidy!

Sarahr Tue 24-Feb-26 08:00:38

Decide exactly what you are going yo use the room for. If it's crafts you need a large flat surface and plenty of shelving and drawers with hooks to hang your tools.

Jacaranda Tue 24-Feb-26 08:55:50

During Covid I turned the spare bedroom into a sewing room. We are lucky to have a large spare room with two windows along the length. I bought two, white trestle tables which fit end to end down the room. I have my sewing machine and craft iron on one, the other is used for cutting out. When we have visitors the tables collapse and the double bed is pulled into the room, it is pushed back most of the time. We also have a sofa bed which pulls out for the grandchildren. It works very well as for the majority of the year I have a lovely light sewing space.

keepcalmandcavachon Tue 24-Feb-26 09:26:42

A 12ft x 12ft craft room! You are living the dream Pandagran28 ! Bet it fill up quickly thoughgrin.
One thing I can heartily recommend is my height adjustable table, one push of a button and it goes from cutting height to sitting. My biggest regret is having thick carpet in my upstairs craft room as the threads and snippets get everywhere and I long for a hard floor to sweep 'em up easily and I'd also very much enjoy whizzing to and fro around the room.
Happy planning P28

Doodledog Tue 24-Feb-26 09:47:03

I don't have the craft furniture I posted - I have open shelves with those Betterbox rectangular zipped bags crammed full of yarn in an alcove in a spare bedroom grin. Not stylish, but practical.

I did consider making the box room into a craft room, but as my craft is knitting I prefer to do it downstairs - I need storage rather than somewhere to work - so I made it into a study instead.