How to design a perfect and versatile hobby room
From after-school activities to ways to fill up a weekend, as children, we are encouraged to get involved in as many hobbies as we can. However, as we grow up and our working lives progress, hobbies tend to take a back seat compared to higher priorities.
What is a hobby room?
A hobby room is a purpose-built space used for a range of sports, music, crafts and other creative pursuits. It’s a room designed entirely around you: if you need a quiet space to reflect, or extra room for your piano or exercise equipment, then you need a hobby room.
Hobbies can offer escapism, support for wellness, and a time to get creative, active, or simply switch off from everyday life. By investing in a space dedicated to your interests and hobbies, you are choosing to prioritise your wellness and better incorporate it into your everyday life.
Whether you are designing your dream home or considering an outbuilding or extension to help complete your home, here are some things you should know about making the most of your hobby room.
Hobby room ideas
Your hobby room should inspire creativity and provide you with a space to recharge. These spaces will look different for everyone, depending on the purpose and aesthetic, and can be multi-functional, too.
Ideas for your hobby room include:
- Artistic crafts and activities - including painting, sketching or pottery.
- Leisure activities - a home gym counts as a hobby room!
- Mindful hobbies - including reading, writing, journalling, or even a study space or home office.
- Playroom - hobby rooms are for all ages. Vibrant colours and clever storage can make for a carefree, inspiring space for children.
You may already have an idea of what type of hobby room you need. Or you might even need a room that can do it all - a craft space can also be used as guest accommodation, if designed to be so.
How to design a multifunctional hobby room at home
So what do you need to consider? And where do you even start? Our tips below can help you hone your vision or start putting ideas together - and do not hesitate to reach out if you need a little extra help.
Plan for everyday life
Many hobbies can be enjoyed year-round, so make sure your hobby space can be enjoyed year-round too.
You will have the ability to create a space that’s so inviting, you will genuinely want to spend time in it.
Placing your hobby room within your home or outbuilding lets you maximise and enjoy views. This can also enhances the natural light throughout the year and help you plan artificial lighting elsewhere.
If your hobby space will be in an outbuilding, it’s worth considering insulation options for the winter months and ways to incorporate effective ventilation to avoid overheating in the warmer, summer months.
Easy access to electrical sources, storage facilities that don’t overwhelm the room’s overall feel, and space for comfortable seating are also key features to make sure your dedicated hobby room suits your everyday life.
By including these features and making these design considerations, your space will not only support whichever activity you choose, but it will also enhance your experience of spending time there.
Design with your hobby in mind
It may seem obvious, but the best hobby spaces are designed around how they are used.
Rather than designing a general room and deciding what to do with it afterwards, you can turn practical requirements into diverse, adaptable design features you can enjoy in many ways.
Asking yourself considered questions will suit your practical requirements. Think about subjects such as:
- Which equipment will I need to fit inside the hobby space? How much room will be
- Does the activity create noise or require peace and tranquillity?
- Will your space need lots of ventilation, natural light, or integrated storage?
For example, window placement matters for visual hobbies, such as painting or potting sheds, to ensure consistent natural light, while acoustics and practical access should be considered for music rooms.
Once you've considered these requirements, you can integrate them into your hobby room to create a flexible, adaptable space.
A versatile space and future-proofing
One of our biggest recommendations when planning a hobby space in your home is to think about versatility.
If your lifestyle changes, what could this room be used for instead?
Home offices, extra bedrooms, or storage spaces are often alternative uses for hobby rooms, should the needs of the clients or family change. This can also improve your home's saleability, as you create a non-specific, multifunctional room that is versatile and adaptable.
For example, a hobby space in a room above garage can also double up as a guest house or spare bedroom. Or a hobby room in your home could also be transformed into a home office or guest bedroom.
Our team of architectural designers can help you consider window placement to both maximise light and ensure privacy, beam placement for a flexible internal layout, and power and electrical points to work for a variation of hobbies. By making these considerations, you’ll keep your options open for the room.
This also ensures that if you pick up a new hobby and wish to transform your space to be dedicated to a new interest, it can be easily adapted.
A clever use of space for a love of cycling
A clever use of ‘dead’ space.
Martin and Joanna were keen to make the most of their landing space in their new home, which may have otherwise gone to waste.
Working with our architectural designers, the couple created a space in their bespoke home that is dedicated to Martin's love of cycling.
Practically speaking too, this space can also be transformed to become a home office or extra living area - evolving with the homeowners if their needs change.
James and Bec's timeless five-bay garage
One of our favourite garages - and yours too!
James and Bec wanted to create a dedicated space for their car collection that complemented their home and wider landscape. With large, electrically operated doors and strategic lighting, their five-bay garage is simple and easy to use all year round.
James and Bec also took advantage of this opportunity to extend their living options outside of their home by incorporating a room above into their design. Currently being used as James' home office, there is also space in the ancillary for guest accommodation.
A space for creative minds
Another room above garage, but built with a different purpose in mind: this hobby space has become a devoted area to get creative.
Created for painting, this room above is flooded with natural light thanks to the large skylights and bright interiors.
As a versatile space, this room above could easily be transformed into guest accommodation or a space for extra storage. Alternatively, as hobbies and lifestyles change, it can be easily adapted for music practice, yoga, or home meditation.
Creating a room of your own with Oakwrights
To help create a versatile space that grows and changes with you and your family, speak with our team of architectural designers to get started. You can also learn more about our outbuildings and extensions ranges, which feature more case studies and considerations.
Fill in a form today, or request a brochure to see how we can help you design the perfect space tailored to you.
