New Requirements : Redesigning your empty nest

Now A Levels and ‘results days’ are out of the way, are you about to rejoice in your newfound freedom from pick-ups, drop-offs, and unending loads of washing? Or, does the moment feel bittersweet, the kids leaving home to embark on their own journeys, creating a void in the house that was once bustling with laughter and activity? Hopefully, as the nest empties, you may find that the spaces your children leave behind provide an opportunity to breathe new life into the home. It could be time to reclaim bedrooms, clear out the clutter and pack up the kids’ things, revitalising empty nooks or studies that have historically been cannibalised by teenage paraphernalia. It’s time to bring new function, mood-lifting colours, interesting furniture and artwork to spaces that need a little love. The transition into this new stage of life can be a cue to reconsider elements of the home, and more importantly, the potential of our living spaces. Rather than letting that feeling of emptiness linger, why not consider this a golden opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate your home?

When the heir no longer needs the spare…

Prepare for the reclamation of kids’ bedrooms to feel like a lottery win. Suddenly, when the kids are gone, you’ll have access to a plethora of extra square footage to use as you please. For me, it’s all about creating beautiful rooms for houseguests. Creating sumptuous, comfortable spaces for friends to lay their heads after dinner parties or over long weekends will prove a rewarding task. Incorporate a new upholstered headboard, flattering lamp lighting and bolster with cushions to add colour, pattern and texture.

Get sociable: hold your own cocktail parties and weekend events

Without the pressure of school runs, it’s time to host ever-more fabulous dinner parties ‘til late. Reconsider the way you use your dining and entertaining spaces in favour of entertaining groups of your most fun-loving friends. Could you create a new cocktail area? Maybe you could open up separate kitchen/dining/living spaces for a more impactful, open plan space, perfect for entertaining. This could be an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, especially with parents who are managing their own ‘empty nests’ at the same time. 

Hosting a memorable dinner party relies on two things predominantly: delicious drinks and compelling company. However, now you have the bandwidth to think about something other than whether the physics coursework is done, or whether so-and-so needs collecting from football practice, it’s time to flex those creative muscles. Leave your guests feeling wowed with a colourful tablescape complete with pillar candles, decadent floral displays and personality-filled crockery and cutlery.

Tech-no

While the living room may have once been dominated by your children and their friends, now, you can reimagine it as a space that works for you. Why not reorient the room away from the TV, giving it a more sociable feel? Curating a seating plan that encourages conversation, or at a minimum, reduces screen time, will give the space a calmer, cosier feel. When you gather as a family in this room during university holidays or reading weeks, you’ll notice that instead of wanting to zone out in front of the TV together, you’ll have more to discuss and stories to share.

Ultimately, an empty nest doesn't have to signify genuine emptiness in your home. Treat this new stage of your life as an invitation to bring fresh energy, colour, personality and comfort to your living spaces by repurposing and redesigning pockets around the house. Get in touch on +44 (0) 20 3866 4430 if you want Kelling Designs to help.