With the end of school here, many parents are watching their kids graduate and, eventually, move out of the home. It’s an emotional time, but it’s also one of opportunity. While some parents keep their child’s room exactly as it was – almost like a shrine to their youth – others are in the mood for change, and that means renovating the room after your child leaves for college.
Even though most will not be moving out for a few months, if you are thinking that you may do something with it, it may be a good idea to think about your options now and then contact us to put you on the schedule, so you can get a head start on renovations. For example, consider the following ideas.
Transitional Design That Allows for Return Visits
The most common renovation approach is to convert the space in a way that allows the room to serve more than one purpose. This maintains a functional guest room setup while still making the space more useful throughout the year.
Options include:
- Dual-Purpose Guest Room and Home Office – Installing a wall bed or a daybed with storage ensures that your child still has a place to sleep when they come home. You can then add, for example, a compact desk, storage cabinets, and sound-absorbing materials can turn the space into a quiet work zone during the day.
- Home Library or Reading Room – Another idea could be turning the room into a library by adding things like wall-mounted shelving, upgraded lighting, and comfortable seating. The existing bed or futon can be kept for overnight guests.
- Creative Studio or Hobby Room – You can use or install organizational furniture and work surfaces for sewing, art, writing, or other focused activities. Closets can be retrofitted with shelves and drawers for supplies, while still leaving space for a fold-out bed if needed.
Each of these allows you to change the function of the room without major structural work or permanent furniture changes.
Converting the Room into Dedicated Functional Space
In some cases, homeowners decide to fully repurpose the room for their own use. This often occurs when there is no expectation of the child returning long-term or when other parts of the home are constrained.
Popular conversions include:
- Home Gym – Remove carpet and install rubber flooring or vinyl plank for easier maintenance. You can add things like wall mirrors, a mounted TV, and open shelving for equipment, which will turn the room into a more functional space.
- Walk-In Closet or Dressing Room – If adjacent to the primary bedroom, the room can be modified to serve as a closet or dressing area. This may involve the removal of interior doors and closet installations that reduce the room’s use as a bedroom in the future.
- Expanded Bathroom or Ensuite Addition – For homes with plumbing access nearby, the room can be converted into an additional bathroom or incorporated into an expanded primary suite. This is a major renovation and requires zoning and permit considerations.
- Rental or Airbnb Space – If your home has a private entrance or the ability to install one, the bedroom may be converted into a small, code-compliant rental unit. This typically requires upgrades to electrical systems, soundproofing, and dedicated bathroom access.
These approaches tend to be more permanent and can add value, but they may also eliminate the room’s ability to function as a standard bedroom without significant reinvestment.
The Minor Upgrades Changes
If you are thinking of keeping it “their room” for the foreseeable future, leaving most of their items and making it a place they can easily come home to, you may still consider minor changes that improve the look of the room while they’re away. For example, now may be a great time to finally get the room painted, or you can find a way to install more storage for yourself while leaving the rest of the room untouched.
Planning Considerations Before Renovating
Any renovation should begin with a clear understanding of current and future household needs. It is also important to review local building codes and HOA requirements before making major changes.
Before starting a renovation, consider:
- The likelihood of your child returning home temporarily or long-term
- Whether the room adds to your home’s bedroom count for valuation purposes
- Budget constraints and the comparative return on investment for each renovation type
- Existing layout, square footage, and adjacency to other usable areas
- Whether permanent changes (such as removing a closet) will affect future resale appeal
Many homeowners find value in balancing partial upgrades with easy reversibility. This allows the room to meet your current lifestyle needs while still preserving its identity as a bedroom if needed.
Make the Most of an Underutilized Room
Renovating your teen’s bedroom after they leave for college can be a way to improve your home’s function without major structural changes. Whether you keep the room available for visits or convert it into a dedicated office, gym, or hobby space, there are many thoughtful upgrades that can enhance daily life while preserving long-term property value.
If you’d like to chat about any of these upgrades, or you want to learn more about what we can do for your property, please reach out to Christian Construction, today.
