Awkward Dormer Space Turned Cosplay Design Studio

If you have an awkward dormer space in your home like we do, or a small room/large closet, even a cubby hole under the stairs, that you just can’t figure out what to do with, I may be able to help you. Although my makeover today focuses on our creative kids, I have plenty of clever ideas that can be utilized in many different scenarios. First, let’s take a peek at our “Awkward Dormer Space Turned Cosplay Design Studio”, and then I will give you some fun ideas for awkward small spaces in your home.

I don’t talk about our amazing kids often on here, but when I do, you can bet it’s going to be fun & interesting. Both our kiddos, who are now in college (freshman/junior), are both majoring in the Entertainment Arts. The pandemic has forced them to spend what would have been their first year at school dorming together, at home. All of their classes are done remotely, and they both work from home as well doing freelance design work, selling homemade items in their Etsy shop, and my youngest even cleans our house for us.

What is Cosplay?

In addition, both have found online alternatives to stay connected to their friends, and keep themselves entertained during their spare time. Some of that free time is spent doing their favorite hobbies such as “Cosplay” role playing. You may not know, but Cosplay is the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, comic, video game, or piece of entertainment media. It’s a very safe, welcoming, positive community that allows all ages to come together and share their love for their favorite fandoms (shows/video games/comics).

So…on that note, I decided to turn the small awkward dormer space adjacent to their freshly designed bathroom into a Cosplay Design Studio. In simple terms, it’s basically just a cool room for them to store/enjoy all of their Cosplay costumes, wigs, makeup, and even homemade props.

Let’s take a look…

Why Black Paint for the Awkward Dormer Space Turned Cosplay Design Studio?

I bet the first thing you noticed (besides all of the fun wigs 😆) were the black walls. Yes, I know everyone always says that dark walls will make a small room, look smaller. I just happen to disagree with that. I think the kid’s adjacent bathroom below is proof. If you missed our huge bathroom transformation a couple weeks ago, you can take a look here: Modern Botanical Bathroom.

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.  Read full disclosure policy here.

While getting the kids bathroom in shape, I glanced over at the dormer room 😖 and knew that we had to clean it up as well. Even though the 2 rooms aren’t attached, I had always thought the builder of the home should have just made it one big bathroom. Instead, when we moved in it basically looked like an attic with no drywall. We added the drywall, ceramic black & white checker board tiles, light fixtures, and obviously the paint.

Small Awkward Dormer Space Before

Since the kids were much younger we used the small room as a “teen salon”, and then eventually our daughter created her wig design company out of it, and then her homemade “slime” business came next. If you know what slime is, you know that it is quite messy. That’s probably why I don’t have many photos of the room during those days (I tried not to look), but I do have this one…

Yikes! It got pretty messy at times, but you gotta give young entrepreneurs a chance in my opinion. Both of our kids worked many, many hours in this little room (and they even hired friends to help) for a couple years. The company grew and grew until they both finally had enough (I was getting tired of the deliveries of supplies). It was time to close the slime factory and focus on what they really wanted to do with their lives.

So now that you know the history, here’s the future…good bye slime, hello CHIC COSPLAY DESIGN STUDIO!

The kids will be living from home/dorm for a few more years, so while they pursue their Entertainment Art education, this room can be used for their Cosplay activities which includes not only dressing up for Cosplay conventions, but also for selling their art creations.

When you have creative children I truly believe they need the space to allow them to experiment and find what passions they want to pursue.

Cosplay Design Studio Source List

Everything in the new Cosplay Design Studio we already had except the black paint, multi colored strip led lighting (super easy to install and plugs into outlet), and the big shelf for the wigs. Here’s a few of my affiliate links if you’re interested in some of the items:

• LED STRIP LIGHTING
• SHELF
• WIG HEADS
• LEOPARD BENCH
• BLACK SHAG RUG
• MAKEUP STOOL
• GHOST CHAIR
• ACRYLIC NAIL POLISH RACK

I hope you enjoyed our cute design studio! Below you’ll find a few more ideas I had floating around in my head for unique small spaces. Don’t ever underestimate the value of small spaces.

Clever Ideas for Small Awkward Spaces in Your Home

• Teen Makeup/Nail Salon (see our example below)
• Children’s Reading Nook (add a tent, led lights, blankets, pillows, books)
• Adult Dressing Room (add a fluffy area rug, an old dresser and place it in the middle of the room, long mirrors from the dollar store, led lighting, and possibly locate a thrifted clothing rack)
• Pantry (add shelving & baskets)
• Dormer Window Make-up Station (it has the perfect lighting for applying makeup)
• Office
• Man Cave
• Zen Lounge (see our Zen Lounge here)
• Wine Cellar/Bar
• Storm Shelter
• Movie Theater (add big screen TV with lounge chairs)
• Library
• Pet House

Teen Salon Hang Out