Do You Have a Room of Your Own?

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

28 Jul 2008 08:42 AM

In your home is there a place that is meant just for you? Do you have a room of your own? Having a room of your own is coming back into popularity. It can be a space to relax, to read, to craft or just to be.

I first came across the concept of having a room of your own thanks to a coffee table book called, aptly, A Room of Her Own.. The book chronicled spaces carved out by famous female writers, artists and others as their own. These gorgeous spaces reflected the interests of the owners, and ranged from suites of rooms to a small nook carved out of a space formed by a window seat and heavy curtains.

I love the concept of having a room of your own. In Victorian times, a room of your own, or even several rooms, was seen as a necessary part of the middle class or upper class home, especially for the females in the home. These were places were people could get away from the rest of the household as well as the prying eyes of the public in a time when houses were full of servants and public callers.

Nowadays, we hear a lot about man caves and man rooms, but very seldom about the more subtle female room of your own. The concept is still there, having been transformed into practical rooms, such as that above mentioned crafting room, or a sewing room, for example. But a room of your own can serve no other purpose than to be a place that is all your own, with no productive activity necessary. In our society today, this may seem like wasted space. But, is it?

The kids have their play rooms, and we think nothing of that.

How do you know you could benefit from a room of your own? If you escape to the bathroom just to be alone or you find yourself needing space and being chased by other members of the family, then you very well may enjoy a room of your own.

The room of your own doesn't need to be big. Take over a large closet if you need to, or do the old hide behind the curtains trick. Put up a temporary wall with screens in a bedroom or basement, convert a garage or bundle the kids into one room so you can use the other. The room should be off limits to anyone else in the family unless they have express permission.

What do you think of this idea?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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Tashi (1013) 28 Jul 2008 05:55 PM

My bedroom is *my* oasis. I love to just lay in bed, listen to the radio or read, and just vedge out, not doing or thinking about anything important, no one bothering me. With my dog curled up by me, all's right with the world. :-) I'll address "important" things later.

jonesx6 (1606) 29 Jul 2008 03:44 AM

With four kids there is no way to have a room of my own. lol I have my rocking chair in the corner of my bedroom. That is my place to read my Bible, pray or sometimes relax. Laura

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 29 Jul 2008 04:39 AM

Tashi, it sounds like you have a great space to shut the rest of the world out. Do you have it decorated a certain way?

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 29 Jul 2008 04:40 AM

Laura, you do have a room, even if it is very small! Is it a no kids zone, or can anyone come and interrupt you?

Tashi (1013) 29 Jul 2008 06:21 PM

Nah, not decorated in any special way. Everything is just set in its place, convenient but yet, enjoyable for me. I have some Elvis framed posters, Elvis dolls people have given me (are you sensing a *theme*? LOL), some Asian art, family photos, and other cherished tchotchkes on my desk and dresser. I have a beautiful, decorated wooden cross on top of my desk. :-) That gives me a special peace and happiness.

Dale Harcombe (10399) 30 Jul 2008 10:03 PM

I have a room of my own- my study. It has blue walls and curtains. If it hadn't already been painted that cokour when we bought the house I would have painted it blue. That's why I picked this room for my study. My last study was blue too. All I did was paint one tinyt wallthat was yello, white to match the ceiling. My husband has his room of his own - study too but shows no desire to do anything to make it more his.

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 31 Jul 2008 04:42 AM

Blue is such a calming color. Is it a light blue or deep blue?

Dale Harcombe (10399) 31 Jul 2008 08:52 PM

It's Australian sky blue - a deepish mid blue in other words. Our family room has a couple of walls a similar colour that we painted. They had been yellow and neither of us could live with yellow walls.