For parents, experiencing their kids leaving the nest can not only be a momentous event, but it can also be one sometimes tinged with a bit of sadness. After all, your little boy or little girl is all grown up now. However, looking at the bright side, this means you now have one or more rooms that can be turned from a kid’s bedroom into a space you can now enjoy.

You may have been making due with storing your personal effects into rooms in the house simply because of necessity. But now that the kids have flown the coop, it’s possible to take over their rooms and turn them into something tailored to you and your spouse. The following are a few transformations that can take place.

Craft Center

Many people enjoy making things with their hands, be it painting ceramics or knitting sweaters. A room that is set aside for different types of craft projects can keep work undisturbed and organized. Walls filled with shelves and storage containers alongside bulletin boards will create a utilitarian feel to the room. Have a large task table so you can spread out work and comfortable sitting chairs. Stick with a flooring material that can be cleaned quickly, like tile or wood in the event of spills.

Sports Room

Sports enthusiasts may want to set up a room devoted to collections of trophies, collector cards, memorabilia and any other sports-related items. Add a sofa or recliners in the room as well as a big-screen TV, and this spot can be the perfect place for watching the game undisturbed.

Home Office

For those who have been doing bills at the kitchen table or trying to work from home amid the noise of the kitchen or the television in the family room, a home office can be just the solution. If the room is large enough, place two desks face-to-face so it can be a his-and-her work center. Use neutral paint colors so that it will be more of a gender-neutral space.

Private Bedroom

Although topics of the bedroom are often kept hush-hush among friends and family, many men and women aspire to one day having their own bedrooms. After time retreating from the master bedroom because of a spouse snoring or simply because of being on opposite schedules, separate bedrooms enable you to create rooms that cater to you. Put in the amenities you desire and encourage your spouse to revamp the other bedroom according to his or her desires as well.

Guest Retreat

Many times guests are forced to sleep on a pull-out bed or sleeper sofa when staying over at a loved one’s. Having an extra bedroom available can enable friends and family members to stay overnight with comfort and ease now. Decorate the room in neutral colors and invest in comfortable, hotel-quality linens for the utmost in luxury.

Library

Some people simply enjoy the ability to curl up with a good book in a quiet space. Turn a vacated bedroom into a cozy nook complete with bookshelves, a plush chair and decorative reading lamp. Fill the rook with favorite books, decorations and a side table to house a cup of tea or coffee.

Regardless of how you feel when your children leave home, redecorating empty rooms into new, functional spaces can help add a positive spin to your suddenly empty nest.