Simple Pleasures: A Room of Your Own

A room of one’s own … who doesn’t want that? A private space where you can make every creative decision, where you can spend your time exactly how you want to, with no interruptions (such as small people tugging on your pant leg). A pipe dream? To have your ideal dream space, perhaps. But a creative, restorative space of your own may be within your reach if you make it a priority and look at your home with fresh eyes.

Could you take over the guest bedroom or garage? Convert a closet? Build a small shed in the backyard? Once you have an idea of the space you want to create (the following eight ideas may inspire you), you may find the motivation to create a room of your own.

A creative hub. Want a room where you can paint, draw, sew, craft, photograph or sculpt? An airy, light-filled space with hardworking surfaces and ample table space is what you need. A studio like the one shown here would be a dream worth saving up for — but a converted garage or outbuilding could work well in the meantime.


A place for going wild with color. Imagine if you had a hideaway as vibrant in color and art as Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacan, Mexico. If you love to express yourself with color but have to practice restraint in shared spaces, make your room an explosion of your favorite hues.

See more of this candy-colored home in Manhattan


A scholarly nest. Surround yourself with books, artwork and plump cushions to create your own personal literary salon. Crave a writerly life? A small nook with a view out the window plus a table, a chair and a door that closes are all the essentials you need. But to really do it up right, I advise surrounding yourself with favorite books, fresh flowers, good music and twinkle lights or candles. Then grab a mug of hot tea and get to work.


A hidden corner of the house. The key thing here is privacy, isn’t it? You want a room not constantly shared by your children, significant other or dog. A place just for you. A room with a door that shuts, preferably upstairs and away from the main hustle and bustle of the house. A finished attic would be ideal, don’t you think?


An outdoor room. If you live in a warm climate, why not carve out a personal space where you can enjoy the fresh air and birdsong? Choose a secluded corner of the yard and make it feel even more private with large planters, trellises or garden fencing. Add a few comfortable chairs, a table, a lantern and a few pots of fragrant herbs and flowers.


A dressing room. If the bedroom is the only room in the house that you can (at least occasionally) claim for you and you alone, I say roll with it. Transform your bedroom into a hub of cheerfulness by painting it lemon yellow, propping an ornate mirror against the wall and hanging your prettiest frocks or snazziest duds where you can see them. Oh, and a sparkly chandelier never hurts. You can always extend your getting-ready time to include sneaking in a bit of poetry reading, journal scribbling or daydreaming.


A backyard destination. It could be a teahouse, an art studio, a writer’s cabin … the only limit is your imagination. The wonderful thing about creating a destination in your own backyard is that size matters far less than the simple fact that it is there. Even a closet-size space can feel like a luxury when you take a path to get there.

See more of this kit-greenhouse-turned-office


Utter serenity. Crave peace, balance and order in your life? Allow me to suggest a retreat room, not necessarily large, but completely Zen-like and well cared for. White walls, white furniture, white orchids and white flowing curtains. A cushy seat. Perhaps a Zen sand garden, beautiful wind chimes in the window and a candle.


Tell us: If you could have a room of your own, and time and money were no object, what would it look like? Where would it be? How would you furnish it? What would you do there?

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