Creating a Kids’ Hangout Room and Guest Space

You know that extra room in your house? Let’s make it do double duty! Here’s how to create a kids’ hangout room that can also be a guest space.

When we built our studio, we used it for years as a creative space for photo shoots, large-scale projects, and our work-from-home haven.

Now, years later, our needs have shifted and it’s time for a change!

We’ve revamped it into a room that serves many purposes: it’s still a work-from-home space, but on other days it’s a craft room, a kids’ hangout room, or even a guest room.

With just a few well-chosen items here’s how you can make a similar space in your home!

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The Before: Work From Home Studio

Previously, we needed a wide-open space with blank walls and lots of room for big photo shoots and lots of hands-on projects.

So we created the studio to have lots of great light, a high ceiling, and modular pieces that could be moved around.

Here are some before photos!

Creating a Kids’ Hangout Space and Guest Room

We don’t have overnight guests very often, but when we do I always wish we had a place that they could use as their own comfortable space.

More frequently, though, I wish that our kids had a space to hang out and call their own when they have friends over.

We don’t have a den or a playroom, and our kids’ rooms are fairly small. So turning this studio space into a hangout room was a really exciting idea.

Elements to Include in a Kids’ Hangout Room

I had the goal of making the room very hospitable for our kids, so that they can have access to the things they need and plenty of space to hang.

First, we moved our existing sectional couch into the room to create lots of comfy lounge seating.

We also found two swivel chairs to face the couch, so that they can either all face the center of the room, or turn around and all face the television.

The couch hides a queen sleeper bed, making it perfect for a guest if we have someone staying overnight.

Furniture to Hide Plenty of Activities

Finding a great dresser or credenza can go a long way in hiding plenty of activities.

In the credenza you see here, we hide dozens of board games for the kids to play, along with a gaming system.

Above the credenza is a Frame TV, which is great for watching movies.

When the tv is off, it displays art and blends into the gallery wall, making a beautiful and peaceful place for a guest to stay.

Here’s a tutorial on how we created a frame for the television to make it look like a piece of art.

Space to Be Creative

A simple work table is awesome to include in a kids’ hangout room.

We have a table with wheels on it, so that we can move it as necessary for projects, games, and more.

The cabinets have plenty of craft supplies, and the kids can spread out on this table to do crafts, homework, play games, eat snacks, and more.

Work Area

We still use this room as our work-from-home space, using the waterfall desk that Ryan made.

If you need a great DIY desk tutorial, this IKEA hack served us well for about a decade!

We don’t need as much work space as we used to, so a simple desk area serves this room well.

The kids can use the desks if needed, and if we have a guest staying, they can use the desks as well for email, writing, and more.

Multi Use Rooms at Home

This room turned out to be so functional, and I’m so happy with it!

When considering how to create a multi-use room in your home, start by envisioning:

• who will be using the space
• how they’ll be using it
• the type of feeling or vibe you’d like the room to embody
• the mainstays (furniture, etc.) that need to be the foundation of the space.

These few ideas should get you going in the right direction! xoxo