Inspiration for empty nesters

You have just earned a gold star for successfully packing the mini fridge, TV, laptop, DVD collection, textbooks and every last pair of socks into the station wagon. It's all been unloaded into an overcrowded dorm room and you've said your goodbyes. Now that you've returned home, empty nest syndrome has begun to sink in.  

But when life hands you an empty nest, turn that nest into a functioning home office! (Or craft room, or home gym, or guest room, or...) With a fresh coat of paint and a few redecorating strategies, the feng shui possibilities are endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:  

Home Office

• Choose a light neutral paint color that will allow you to focus and be most productive throughout your workday. 
• Find an ergonomic office chair (your back will thank you). 
• Use those newly emptied closets to house (and hide) filing cabinets.   

Craft Room   

• Start with a bright, fun paint color to spark creative genius. This will also be the palette for you to hang artwork, photos (of the former room occupant if you'd like), and bulletin boards to post your latest findings for inspiration. 
• Add a few organizational storage units. You'll need plenty of cubbies to store craft supplies for ongoing and future projects. 
• Be sure to include a comfortable chair and a decent sized table for scrapbooking, piecing together quilts, sewing and making jewelry. 
• Whether or not your room has plenty of natural light (ideal for crafting), be sure to add lamps to the room for those moments of late-night inspiration.   

Home Gym

• Consider your level of fitness intensity when choosing your gym style with options of free weights, a Wii Fit or a complete home gym system. 
• Add a TV and DVD player to the room for use with workout videos and the Wii system, or just to watch reality television while you sweat.
• Include a fan (or two) to keep you cool during intense workout sessions. 
• Make sure to install durable flooring in the room to withstand the occasional dropped weight and extreme jumping jacks.   

Guest Room    

• If you're not ready to give up the bedroom just yet, a guest room is the perfect transition.
• Give the room a quick refresh with a coat of new paint, a rug and wall art.
• Don't forget to add new neutral bedding suitable for any guest.   

No matter what you choose to do with your empty nest, remember that with these few redecorating strategies, the room can become your new favorite spot in the house. At least until winter break, that is.