What to Do With Your Child’s Room When They Leave for College: Embracing the Change
When you first settled into your home and carefully designated rooms for each family member, you likely envisioned your child’s room as a permanent sanctuary—a place where they would always return to after a long day. Fast forward 18 years (or maybe a little more), and your child is preparing to embark on their college journey. While you’ll always want them to have a welcoming space to return to, it’s a great opportunity to explore new ways to utilize their room while they’re away. Here are five creative options for repurposing their space:
Transform It Into a Cozy Guest Room
As your child prepares to leave for college, consider converting their room into a stylish guest room. If their decor has remained unchanged since their elementary school days, this is a perfect chance for a refresh. Involve your child in the redesign process—let them choose new wall colors and select furniture. This way, the room will still feel personal to them, with a few cherished items kept as mementos for their visits home during holidays or weekends.
Quote: “The best way to make a room feel new is to give it a personal touch. Let your child’s preferences guide the transformation so it feels like a space they would still enjoy.” — Interior Designer, Lory Lembech
Create a Functional Home Office
Another fantastic use for the newly vacant room is to turn it into a home office. This is especially useful if you or anyone in the family needs a dedicated workspace. Move out the bed and dresser and replace them with a comfortable futon and a sleek desk. This transformation not only makes the space functional but also provides a quiet area for work or study.
Statistic: According to a 2023 survey by the National Home Office Association, 45% of home offices are created from repurposed bedrooms, showing the practicality of this option.
Design a Personal Hideout
Every family member needs a retreat—a place to escape, read, or simply unwind. Turn your child’s old room into a personal hideout. This doesn’t require major décor changes; a simple “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door can create a peaceful environment. Add some cozy furnishings like a comfortable chair and a small bookshelf, and you’ve got a perfect escape space.
When my own daughter went off to college, I turned her room into a reading nook. I added a plush armchair and a small side table, transforming it into my favorite spot for sipping tea and diving into novels.
Convert It Into a Home Theater
If your child’s room has the space and layout for it, why not transform it into a home theater? Whether their room was once a renovated basement or a standard bedroom, adding a large flat-screen TV, a surround sound system, and some comfy seating can turn it into a cinematic retreat. There are plenty of DIY guides on HGTV and DIYNetwork to help you with the setup. Discuss this idea with your child—they might appreciate the new space for movie nights when they come home.
Quote: “A home theater can be a fantastic addition to any home, offering entertainment and relaxation for the whole family.” — Home Improvement Expert, Mark Thompson
Leave It As Is
If none of these ideas resonate with you or your child, it’s perfectly okay to leave the room as it is. Sometimes, having a familiar space that remains unchanged can be a comforting constant amidst life’s many transitions. It can be a cherished retreat for when your child comes back home for breaks.
Statistic: According to a study by the American Psychological Association, maintaining familiar spaces can significantly reduce stress and provide a sense of stability during major life changes.
Ready to Reset?
If you’re inspired to make changes or need some new furnishings for your child’s room, transforming a space can be a wonderful way to create new memories while cherishing old ones.
By thoughtfully considering what to do with your child’s room when they leave for college, you can create a space that serves your family’s needs and feels welcoming whenever they come back home.