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Your youngest child has packed up and driven off to start their new life on their own, and you’re thinking, “Now what?” How about a home renovation project? It’s time to make your home your own again. You’ve spent at least the past eighteen years (or more) child-proofing your home. Now is the time to peel back the safeguards and reveal a home designed just for you.
Why It’s the Perfect Time for Empty Nester Renovations
Living as an empty nester means you can design your home around you. Take a look around. What hasn’t been updated recently? Have you put something off because life was too busy? Time to take stock of your home and consider your priorities for the next chapter of your life.
Lean Into Embracing Your New Lifestyle
It’s not just more space that’s new in your lives. It’s a whole new lifestyle too. You spent years in carpools, watching recitals, games, concerts. That time is yours now, and you can spend it at home with dedicated space for your interests.
Considerations for Aging in Place
It’s time to ‘future-proof’ your home. Consider features like wider doorways, zero-threshold showers, and moving the primary bedroom to the first floor if it isn’t there already.
There are also some smart tech integrations you can apply to your home like voice-activated appliances, automated lights for safety, and leak-detection systems.
Increase the Value and Functionality of Your Home
You can make your home work for you. Your children have moved out, but you’re still living there, and your needs as a family have changed. At the same time, your home is an investment—you want to make sure the updates you make add enjoyment and financial value. At Great Day, we can help you choose projects that will make life easier, ywill make life easier, yet still increase the value of your home.
Explore our gallery of home renovations to find inspiration for your empty nester project.
Empty Nester Renovation Ideas at a Glance
| SPACE OR UPGRADE | WHY IT WORKS FOR EMPTY NESTERS | KEY FEATURES TO CONSIDER |
| Home Office (Converted Bedroom) | Creates a dedicated, productive space for remote work, hobbies, or managing household tasks. | Built-in desk and shelving, comfortable seating, layered lighting, dual-purpose Murphy bed for guests. |
| Home Gym or Wellness Room | Supports health and longevity with space designed around your fitness goals. | Free weights or compact equipment, yoga mats and storage, calming paint colors, mirrors, sound system. |
| Guest Bedroom | Welcomes visiting children and grandchildren with comfort and privacy. | Queen or king bed, soft neutral tones, closet space, dresser, bedside tables with charging outlets, optional TV. |
| Entertainment or Media Room | Brings personality into your home with a space for movies, games, or family gatherings. | Comfortable seating (recliners or sectional), media console, surround sound, snack tables, flexible space for grandkids. |
| Bathroom Safety Upgrades | Makes aging in place safer while maintaining style. | Zero-threshold shower, stylish grab bars, comfort-height toilet, slip-resistant flooring or teak bath mat. |
| Energy-Efficiency Improvements | Reduces utility bills and improves year-round comfort. | Smart HVAC zoning, upgraded insulation, induction cooktop, ventless washer/dryer combo, energy-efficient windows. |
| Sunroom or Enclosed Porch | Adds bright, relaxing living space perfect for reading, entertaining, or quiet mornings. | Four-season sunroom, large windows, insulated flooring, ceiling fan, cozy reading nook. |
| No-Clog Gutters | Eliminates risky ladder climbs and ongoing maintenance. | One-piece gutter system, lifetime clog-free guarantee, professionally installed protection. |
What are the Best Renovation Projects for Empty Nesters?
From enhancing your living spaces to creating hobby rooms, this is the time to really flex your creativity muscles and make this space your own. Great Day Improvements has an entire gallery of ideas to choose from if you need some inspiration! Here are some ideas to help get you started.
Repurposing Your Spaces
Turn Your Kids Room into an Office
Functionality is key here. You’ll want to choose a desk that fits the space. Don’t forget aesthetics like shelving for books and files, rugs for the floor, maybe even a small couch or chair for reading?
If you don’t have the space for a separate bedroom and an office, then consider a dual desk/Murphy bed, and this room can serve both as an office and a guest bedroom.
Dedicate Space to a Home Gym or Wellness Center
This is a personal choice. A wellness center might lean more towards yoga/Pilates and require less equipment but more aesthetics. You’ll want to create a soothing vibe with soft colors on the walls. A small plant or two in the corners. Don’t forget the mats and accessories like blocks and bands.
Should you go the home gym route, then consider how much room you have. Most people will have enough space for a set of free weights and possibly a bench/bar. You can add a small table for a water bottle and a speaker to play music.
Make a Guest Bedroom for Visiting Family Members
The key here is to create a warm, inviting space. Make sure the bed is large enough for two people. Soft colors on the walls and the bedding create an atmosphere that will delight your guests and soothe them at the end of a busy day.
Have space for them to put away their things—a dresser, space in the closet. Provide an end table for their phones to charge.
Consider adding a television to the room for those guests who like to wind down their day watching TV.
If your grown children are now having children of their own, providing them a space for them to retreat to will be a welcome treat.
Have Fun with an Entertainment or Media Room
This is where your personality and/or lifestyle can really shine. Are you a video game aficionado? Adding leather chairs that swivel and have high backs will provide additional comfort for your players. Make sure there are small tables for drinks and snacks.
Add a television along with the video games you prefer to play on a dedicated television stand.
If video games aren’t your thing, add a small couch instead for a place to watch movies. Or perhaps you want a space for grandchildren to play when they visit?
Thoughtful & Smart Renovations
Bathroom Safety Improvements and Upgrades
As we age in place, safety becomes a priority for empty nesters, but that doesn’t mean our designs can’t look good! Curbless or zero-threshold showers are one way to minimize risk in the bathroom. They’re sleek in design but also take away the risk of tripping.
Once in the shower, a grab-bar is a good idea to prevent falls. Today’s grab-bars are gorgeous. They can come in matte black or brushed gold, or even a textured finish.
Out of the shower, a comfort height toilet also provides additional safety to you in the bathroom. It is not only higher, but armrests are an option too.
Finally, you can add a spa-like bathmat to prevent slips and falls. Natural teak is a new trend that is not only lovely but functional too.
Improve Your Energy-Efficiency
Now that fewer people are living in your home becoming energy-efficient can save you money.
Look for a Smart HVAC system that can direct the heating and cooling to the most used homes in the house. If you have bedrooms that are unused, you can direct heating and cooling away from there during down periods. Updating your insulation will ensure you aren’t ‘bleeding’ energy because of insufficient insulation.
You can install the new washer/dryer combo. They don’t require external venting and they fit in small spaces if you’ve downsized.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, then consider adding an induction cooktop. They’re more energy efficient than a gas or electric cooktop.
Enclose a Porch or Expand with a Sunroom
Adding an addition like or porch or a sunroom, adds value to your home. You might be wondering why you would need the space if your children have moved out? Living space on the first floor is an additional value because as our children move out, get married, and have children, our families are growing in size! This necessitates additional living space. You’ll probably want that ‘getaway’ spot just for you. Perhaps a reading nook or just a space to enjoy the view in your new sunroom. Great Day is an expert with porches and sunrooms and can take you through the steps from start to finish.
No-Clog Gutters to Eliminate Chores & Improve Safety
Gutters are not only unpleasant to clean but are also risky. As empty nesters mature, it becomes riskier to climb that ladder to clean the gutters. Not only that, these are your golden years! It’s time to travel and spend time with your family and friends—not time on unpleasant chores like cleaning gutters.
How Great Day Improvements Can Help Empty Nesters
High Quality USA Products
At Great Day, we care about the homeowners we work with and want to give them the very best. Everything we use from start to finish is produced here in the USA!
A Team that Owns the Entire Process
Our local team of experts will guide you through the process every step of the way without hand-offs or finger-pointing. We’re with you until the job is fully complete.
Best in Class Warranties
We stand by our products and services for a lifetime. We build them to last. And if anything does go wrong, we are here to help you fix it.
This is an exciting new chapter in your life. Great Day can help you charter this journey and create a living space that reflects your new lifestyle. Contact us today for a free quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best home renovation projects for empty nesters?
The best home renovation projects for empty nesters focus on lifestyle, comfort, and long-term functionality. Popular upgrades include converting bedrooms into home offices, creating guest suites, adding a home gym, remodeling bathrooms for aging in place, improving energy efficiency, and enclosing porches or adding sunrooms. The goal isn’t just more space—it’s making your home work better for this next chapter of life.
How can empty nesters remodel their home for aging in place?
Remodeling for aging in place means making thoughtful improvements that enhance safety and accessibility without sacrificing style. Common upgrades include: zero-threshold or curbless showers, stylish grab bars, comfort-height toilets, wider doorways, first-floor primary bedroom layouts, smart lighting, and voice-activated technology. These features allow homeowners to stay comfortable and independent in their home for years to come.
Is it worth renovating your home after your kids move out?
Yes—renovating after your kids move out can increase both your enjoyment and your home’s long-term value. As your lifestyle changes, your space should evolve too. Whether you’re creating a wellness room, upgrading outdated bathrooms, or improving energy efficiency, strategic renovations can enhance daily comfort while strengthening resale value down the road.
How can I repurpose unused bedrooms as an empty nester?
Unused bedrooms can easily become some of the most functional spaces in your home. Popular ideas include: a dedicated home office, a guest bedroom for visiting family, a home gym or yoga studio, a hobby or craft room, or a media or entertainment space. If flexibility is important, consider dual-purpose furniture like a Murphy bed and desk combination so the room can serve multiple needs.
What renovations increase home value for empty nesters?
Renovations that typically offer strong return on investment include: bathroom remodels, energy-efficient windows and insulation, kitchen upgrades, sunrooms or enclosed porches, new siding or roofing, and low-maintenance gutter systems. Projects that improve energy efficiency, curb appeal, and livable square footage tend to provide both personal enjoyment and financial value.
What are the benefits of adding a sunroom or enclosed porch?
Adding a sunroom or enclosed porch increases usable living space while bringing in natural light and outdoor views.
For empty nesters, it can serve as: a quiet reading retreat, an entertainment space for family gatherings, a relaxing morning coffee spot, and a flexible area for grandchildren to play. Sunrooms also add value to your house while enhancing your daily lifestyle.
