The car ride to drop your children off at college can be stressful. The overheated minivan filled to the brim with clothes, desk lamps, and shower caddies. The tearful goodbye. And then you return home, an empty nester. Or perhaps your kids moved out years ago and you're just now looking to take advantage of the extra space. Either way, perhaps a blank slate is a better way to think of it. An opportunity to reclaim your home, whether that means updating old furniture, or taking advantage of the extra space you now have. Of course, what you do with the extra space depends on a few things. You'll want to ask yourself some questions before you begin the process of reclaiming your nest.

Questions to ask:

The first question to ask is whether or not you're leaning towards downsizing. And if not now, then when

• Having furniture that is multi-purpose is a great way to make the transition to downsizing if you choose to do so in the future. Choosing smaller furniture will also be a good way to ensure you can still downsize later on.

Will your kids be coming home a lot Will you have family coming to stay

• If so, you may want to consider having a few rooms that can become guest rooms with a sleeper sofa. Or perhaps having a room with a bunk bed if you will have a lot of family coming to stay.
• Overall, flexibility is key, and multi-functional rooms will be your best bet.

Do you want to use this opportunity to take advantage of the free space (and perhaps the extra cash flow) and create the home you've always wanted

• In that case, there are many ways to upgrade and update your furniture or take on the renovation you've been putting off.

How to create multi-functional rooms:

There are many ways you can take advantage of the extra space. What it really comes down to, as Donna from our Acton store explains, is multi-functionality. Creating a guest room that doubles as a home office. A yoga studio that has a sleeper in it for when the kids come home. Multi-purpose furniture can be anything from choosing a sleeper over a full bed set to ottomans that have storage inside them. Think smaller, streamlined pieces that can be used for dual purposes.

Some ideas for a multi-use space:

• Create more storage:  Choose an ottoman or a window seat that has storage, or use the extra closet space to your advantage.
• Hobby room or library:  Create the art room you've always dreamed of, or a place to store all your books with a sofa to curl up in.
• Home office:  Instead of a desk shoved in a corner or a laptop on a dining room table, create a home office where you can comfortably work.
• Yoga studio or home gym: Put your yoga mat to good use. You can even have rubber flooring installed if you want a full gym experience.

Regardless of how you choose to use the extra space, any room can be easily turned into a guest room with the help of a sleeper sofa. We carry a variety of sleepers  for any occasion and any room. Not only will you have the opportunity to create a dedicated space for yourself but you'll also be able to comfortably house guests. A fresh coat of paint is a great way to make the space your own.

How to upgrade and update your home:

Or perhaps, you just want an upgrade. A chance to get rid of your old kid-friendly furniture and update to newer styles. Make your home the home you've always wanted it to be. If you have dreamed of a luxurious leather couch, an automated recliner with a book in hand, or a sofa with white fabric, now is the time to seize the opportunity.

Ideas for updating your home decor:

• Update your furniture and choose styles that you love.
• Take on the renovation plans you've been putting off.
• Get rid of heavy drapes and opt for window treatments to let in the light.
• Upgrade your master bedroom.
• Switch to the furniture you've always wanted that isn't kid-friendly: like a glass coffee table or white upholstery.
• Upgrade your recliner to a Stressless, or your outdated sofa to the one you've always dreamed of.

Final thoughts:

Ultimately, how you choose to use the extra space is really up to your lifestyle and what's important to you. If a meditation room with a space to do yoga is what you've been missing in your life, now you have the opportunity to do that. And having a sleeper that can function as both a couch and a bed will make it really easy to turn any room into a guest room. Or if having family come to stay is really important to you and you don't plan on downsizing, then maybe a full bed set for an updated guest room is the way to go. The bottom line: plan for the future, use your space wisely, and find furniture that is dual purpose. Read more: The Interior Design Process for Buying Furniture: From Start to Finish Once you've asked yourself all the questions you need to and are ready to start the journey of reclaiming your nest, come into one of our six stores  and get started. Our designers  would be happy to help you personalize your space and turn your home into your dream home. For a closer look at interior design projects our designers have worked on, scroll through our profile on Houzz.