A den room is typically built a little smaller than a regular room. But builders and homeowners often seem to be confused about the typical size of a den room.
In this article, we will discuss how big a den room should be and what are the factors that you need to consider in order to determine its size.
We will also help you classify a den and offer a clear insight into what you can do with a den. So without further ado, let’s read ahead to learn more about a den and its size.
How big should a den be?
On average, a den should be about eight feet by six feet in size. A den is typically a little smaller than other rooms in your home. A den of this size will provide enough functional space in the house for recreational purposes. You can also turn it into a home office or a study nook.
A den room is usually used for recreational purposes. It is a place where you can go in order to temporarily opt-out of your everyday life. You can also use it as a library or a workstation.
A den is typically smaller than the other rooms in the house. It does not have to be large enough to fit your average furniture, so there should not be any issue.
However, note that you will need to make it large enough so that you can put standard sized furniture inside, rather than making custom sized ones.
The average size of a den is six feet by eight feet. This size is enough to offer you functional space where you can either work or relax. You can of course make it larger to fit your individual purpose.
Regardless of the size of the den that you have built, make sure that you have decorated the room with the right set of furniture.
It is important to ensure appropriate furniture in this room because you don’t want to overcrowd and cramp the little room with too much furniture. Make sure that you have just enough furniture inside in order to ensure comfort and convenience.
So you will need to be very cautious about the size of the den. Otherwise, it is very easy to make a den that is too large for your home or too small.
In order to determine what would be an ideal den size for you, identify the purpose of the den that you’re planning to build. This will make the process much smoother for you.
How many square feet is a den? What is a good size for a den?
While a den room means different things to different people, you should identify your particular need for a den room and its purpose. This will help you better understand what would be a good size for your den.
But let’s talk about the general case here. Den rooms are considered an additional room in the house which is typically smaller than the other rooms.
This room is designed mostly for recreational purposes. Some people also set up a den for using it as a workstation, study room, or a library.
On average, a den is between 500 to 700 square feet. This is the ideal size and will fit you comfortably. This size is identical to a one-bedroom space, so it will be able to fit the necessary furniture as well.
You can choose a slightly larger room if this seems too small for your particular needs, but make sure that it is smaller than the bedrooms in your home. A good size for a den is 6 feet by 8 feet.
What classifies a den in a house? What qualifies as a den?
It is not very easy to differentiate a den from a room. A den has some particular qualities that will help you classify a den in a house. In the following section, we will discuss what qualifies as a den.
Separate from living room:
It is a common confusion that a den is placed in or near the living room. But this is not the case at all. If it was placed near the living room, it would be counter intuitive.
The primary purpose of a den is to have a separate space where you can go for recreation or work. If it was placed near the living room, the den would not have the isolation that you require to achieve its primary purpose.
Large enough for functional space:
A den is small, but it should not be too small. You can classify a den as a space that is large enough to serve as a functional space. You will be able to use the den as a workstation, library, or a recreational room.
Usually reserved for family members, not guests:
The den is usually reserved for family members. This room is often designed very particularly to cater to the needs of the immediate family members. So guests will not have much to do inside the den.
It is reserved for the members of the household, instead of guests. This is what qualifies as a den, and separates it from other rooms in the house.
What do you do with a den?
Wondering about the purpose of a den? In the following section, we will discuss what you can do with a den.
Workstation:
A den can be used as a workstation. This is one of the most common uses of a den. After the pandemic, working from home has been a rather established practice.
And if you follow suit, you will definitely need a comfortable workstation in the house. A den can be it.
Play room for the kids:
Another common use for a den is a play room for the kids. Keeping a separate room for the kids to play will make cleaning up after them very easy for you.
It also minimizes your worry about tidying up the entire house after a playing session.
Studying or reading nook:
A den can also be used as a reading nook for immediate household members. It is generally a pretty quiet room and you will be able to study peacefully there. You will have to put in some comfortable chairs to serve the purpose.
Music pad:
You can also use the den as a music pad. In that case you will have to soundproof the room and install the musical instruments that you intend to practice in there.
Guestroom:
You can also use the den as a guest room. In fact, this is one of the most common uses for a den.
Especially when you’re running short on space in the house, you can convert the den into a guest room to make a comfortable living space for your guests.
Can a den be used as a bedroom?
Yes, a den can be used as a bedroom, but only if you’re running short on space. A den is usually large enough to be a one-bedroom space.
So if you’re running short on space in your home and want a nice little space to accommodate a household member or a guest, then you can easily convert the den into a bedroom.
Moreover, if you convert the den into a bedroom, you will also be able to enhance the market value of the house by manifolds.
But make sure that the den meets the building code of the region and aligns with the requirements of a bedroom, including square footage, ventilation, privacy, and such.
How to turn my home office into a den?
Here’s how you can turn your home office into a den:
Remove the previous furniture’s:
In order to turn your home office into a den, make sure to get rid of the office themed furniture, including the desk, chair, and such. Office furniture will not go well in the den.
Decide on a purpose for the den:
Now it is time to decide the primary purpose of the den. This will help you choose the appropriate theme and furniture for the space.
Install the right furniture:
Now you will need to bring in the right furniture for the space. If you plan on using the space as a reading nook or a tv den, you will need to bring in comfortable seating arrangements.
Whatever the purpose of the den may be, make sure not to cram the space with too much furniture. Keep it moderately furnished and allow enough walking and moving space within the room.
Final Thoughts
An ideal size for a den is six by eight feet. It is ideally between 500 to 700 square feet. Depending on the purpose of the den, you can make it smaller or larger to cater to your particular needs. And during furnishing your den, make sure not to cram it with too much furniture.