Converting An Adult's Child Bedroom Into A Home Office: A Mini-Guide

You’ll feel a quiet but oddly bittersweet satisfaction from converting a child’s old bedroom. Once they’ve flown the nest and may not need it at all any more, it still might take a little while to even touch the space, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s a room full of memories, and walking in can feel like stepping back a few years every time you do so.

That doesn’t mean you need to keep the space as it was forever, especially if it’s just not being used. Sooner or later the opportunity shows itself. For example, perhaps you’re working remotely more often now, or you just need a quiet spot for paperwork, calls, or some of your own projects. It doesn’t take anything away from your child’s place in the home or in your heart. It just means you’re adapting, and the space is evolving with you.

Thankfully, the bones of the room are already there, and if it used to be a bedroom, there should be more than enough living space to convert. As such, with a few upgrades, you can make it a genuinely useful part of the home again, and perhaps even end up with your favorite room in the house.

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Let’s consider how you might do that:

Let Natural Light Guide The Layout

Most bedrooms already have decent windows, but if the glazing is old or the seal is worn, then it might be worth replacing before setting up desks, shelving or electronics nearby. In that case, finding a suitable replacement window can help refresh the entire space, improving the insulation and security too. Just remember to keep your monitor or laptop angled sensibly to avoid the glare, or consider applying UV-resistant films, they can be great for this sort of purpose.

Reuse Storage Where Possible

If you can, take a second look at any built-in wardrobes or existing storage areas before tearing anything out. A double wardrobe with one side converted into shelving can house printers, routers, or a small filing setup. Just taking off the doors can change the feel completely and make the room feel more open-plan. If the layout works, it’s good to save time and money where you can, but if not, repurposing materials or donating what you don’t use gives the process a more meaningful, less wasteful outcome as well.

Keep The Personality, But Update The Feel

You may feel like stripping the room back entirely and going full minimalist for a new office space, but don’t be afraid to leave little traces of what came before. In that case you could hang a large photo frame or keep a few wall stickers in place, or the same curtain rail used with a more neutral fabric. That way, you’re not erasing anything and you can enjoy the heritage of the room while still making it clean and modernized for your purposes.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily converter that adult child’s bedroom into a home office with confidence!