Doing Up That Spare Room

It can be an emotional time for parents as children ‘fly the nest’ – moving out of home to start a new chapter of their lives at college. However, it certainly frees up a lot of space in the house! And while it’s handy to have spare bedrooms should visitors call, there are lots of other ways to put a spare room to use. Whether it’s to entertain guests, practise a new hobby or get some freelance work done, an AIB home loan will help you realise that vision. Here are some spare room ideas to help get you started…

Get Arty

If you’re artistically inclined, you might consider setting yourself up with a little studio. Regardless of your experience level, it’s lovely to have a place to get lost in a new hobby or pastime. If you’re going to try your hand at painting, pottery or sculpture, get rid of carpets and curtains, and allow the room to get messy – remember, it’s all part of the creative process! Have you an old desk or table lying idle in the house? Repurpose it as your new art station, and pick up cheap shelves, baskets and mason jars to hold your supplies.

Office Space

On a more practical level, if you work from home or are self-employed, an office is very handy to have. Set yourself up as you would in a standard workplace; desk, computer, printer, stationary, drawers for storage – the more you mimic a professional environment, the more likely you are to be productive. Face your desk towards a window so you get as much natural light as possible, and keep colours neutral; you don’t want this to be a headache-inducing environment! Invest in a comfortable chair that supports your back, and dimmer lights for those times you work late or during winter months.

A Space for Zen

Perhaps you’re interested in more spiritual pursuits like yoga or meditation, and would like a dedicated space in your home to unwind. For this kind of room makeover, it’s all about creating a sense of calm. First up, get rid of any clutter – boxes of random odds and ends will only serve as a distraction while you’re trying to clear your mind. Like your home office, keep colours neutral, adding a splash of warm colour with cosy knitted throws, cushions or wall hangings. Accessorise with your favourite scented candles, plants, crystals and oils, and use soft lighting and lamps to create a sense of ambience.

Toying Around

Toys aren’t just for kids! A games room is another great way to utilise a spare room. Depending on how much space you’ve got, you could invest in a snooker, pool or ping-pong table. A darts board won’t take up too much space, while chess and draughts boards can be folded away when they’re not being played. If you’re feeling particularly nostalgic, you could invest in an arcade game like Pacman or Mario Brothers – always popular with guests!    

Looking for a Home Loan?

Whatever you decide, we’ve got the home loan to suit your needs. Get in touch today to find out more. An AIB home improvement loan can help.  AIB offer home improvement loans from €1,000 approved within three hours*. You can apply online through AIB Internet Banking and the AIB Mobile App. You can also book a branch appointment or or phone 0818 724 725 if you’d like to speak to someone in person.

Use our handy loan calculator to find out how much you can borrow today.

*3 hour loan decision applies to fully completed new personal loan applications processed within 3 hours 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri excl. bank holidays. Loans from €1,000-€30,000. Excludes applications: to restructure or clear existing AIB credit facilities; received through Branch and referred to a lender for review, from customers in financial difficulty; for Student and First loans; applications through Business Centres; or where total borrowings exceed €100,000 (excluding Home Loan debt up to €600,000). Terms 1-5 years. Lending criteria, terms & conditions apply. Credit facilities subject to repayment capacity and financial status and are not available to persons under 18 years of age. Security may be required

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