Creating “Third Places” (from Libraries to Yoga Studios) In Your Home

What if all you had to do to get to your favorite yoga studio was walk down the hall? How about if the gym were only a few feet from your bedroom? Or if your go-to coffee spot was in your very own kitchen? Well, it’s possible to save yourself the trip and experience your favorite “third places” from the comfort of home.

People are setting up “third places,” like gyms, libraries, and yoga studios, inside their homes to save money and time. Incorporating these spaces into your house provides opportunities for relaxation, socialization, and wellness. You’ll also find a new appreciation for your home and improve your quality of life when what you love is more accessible.

Of course, unless you have a large house or some sprawling McMansion, you’re not going to actually build a full café or pub inside your house. However, setting up areas that function as your favorite third places is more than doable.

What Are Third Places, And Why Are They Popping Up More at Home?

Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third places” to refer to where people frequent when they aren’t at home or at work. (Home being the first place, work being the second.) Third places might consist of things like a park, gym, lounge, or café — the places you go to relax, pursue hobbies, be social, or improve your health and wellbeing.

Technically, with more people taking on remote jobs, the first and second place have started to blur into one, but you get the idea. However, it’s no secret that life is busy, and many people are also struggling to keep their budget in the black. Therefore, gym memberships, a night out with friends, or catching a movie aren’t always easy.

For example, before spending $80 to take your family to the movies, you might have to assign those dollars to a tank of gas and a few groceries. Even if money isn’t an obstacle, there’s time. What if the nearest library is 40 minutes away, or you love enjoying a picnic in the park, but you don’t want to waste time on the 20-minute commute?

Instead of ditching these third places altogether, many people have come up with a creative solution. Why not set up your favorite third places at home, making them more accessible and affordable? Then, you get to enjoy them whenever you want, at little to no cost.

Benefits Of Having Third Places At Home

Thinking about adding a third place or two to your house? Consider the benefits.

• Accessibility: As mentioned previously, life gets busy. Having a dedicated, personal reading nook or yoga corner means you can be there within seconds, with no wait times or closing hours.
• Comfort: Since you’re creating the third place in your own home, you get to fashion it to your individual style and preferences. Plus, if you’re someone who gets self-conscious, say working out with others at a gym, you won’t have that to deal with when you’re at home.
• Consistency: The increased accessibility of third places at home also makes it easier to stick with habits. You have more control over the space since it’s inside your house.
• Affordability: Although there still may be some costs associated with third places at home, you’ll spend less than you would if you go to an outside source.

Eight Ideas For Third Places You Can Create At Home

Are you intrigued? Do these benefits of creating a third place at home have you dreaming about a garden oasis or how to convert your family room into a home theater? Here are several ideas of spaces you can add to your home that provide opportunities to do what you love and thrive.

1. Home Library

Do you love spending hours scouring the shelves in your local library? Does the idea of a quiet place to zone out and lose yourself in a whole new world courtesy of a good book make you drool?

Craft the feel of a library in your home with a bookshelf stocked with a variety of novels, magazines, and journals. Add a cozy chair, warm lighting, and a small table to keep a cup of tea or your favorite drink. You can even convert a closet into a reading nook.

2. Yoga Studio Or Zen Zone

Make room in a corner, bonus points if it’s near a sunny window with a view, and place a mat, a few plants, and some pleasing scents. Use calming colors in the corner and separate it from the rest of the room with a curtain or privacy screen.

Include a small speaker for music, or use ear buds, and use the area for guided meditation, centering, stretching, or simple relaxation. Features like a small indoor fountain or chimes add a nice touch.

3. At-Home Café 

Recreate the café experience with a dedicated coffee bar in your kitchen. Stock it with your favorite syrups, add-ins, coffee flavors, and some cute mugs. Pair it with a small bistro table or use a window seat if you have one.

The idea is to elevate your basic cup of coffee into a whole experience with unique touches that give it more of a café vibe. Include some disposable coffee cups if you plan to invite friends over for coffee, and they want to take one to go.

4. Hobby Hut

A spare room is a great option for a craft space, sewing room, or workshop. However, you don’t need to dedicate a whole room to have this third place in your house. A wall-mounted fold-down desk that holds supplies can give you the space you need to pursue your hobbies when the mood strikes.

5. Home Gym

No room for a home gym? No problem. Section off a corner of a room using curtains or a movable privacy screen that you can position when needed.

Add a few basic fitness supplies that allow you to get in a good workout. If you have the space, incorporate a small mini-fridge to keep protein shakes, bottled water, and other healthy snacks.

6. Secret Garden

If your go-to third place is a beautiful park with tons of greenery, carve out an area of your backyard to turn into a secret oasis. A trellis with some green ivy, a bench, and a fountain can make a big impression (and the fountain helps mask outdoor sounds.)

No yard? A fountain, some plants, and a comfortable chair can also give you a relaxing place to enjoy the outdoors on a simple balcony or patio.

7. Home Theater

Turn any space where you watch TV into a movie theater with a few simple tweaks. Hang blackout curtains or shades that you can close when needed.

Add some portable, comfy seating like padded folding chairs or poofs. Consider getting a small popcorn machine that you can pull out on movie nights.

8. Social Lounge

Third places are often about connecting with others, since they’re meant to be the places you go to when you’re not at home or work. Many of them have a social component, so how do you do this at home?

Rearrange your living room or dining area to encourage conversation and host a game night with friends. Incorporate flexible seating, warm lighting, and adequate space for people to mix and mingle throughout the space. Depending on your situation, you may even be able to put together a cool garage bar.

Tips For Choosing And Designing Your At-Home Third Place

Think about the places you like to go to the most when you’re not at home or at work. Where do you tend to spend your spare time when you want to do something fun or social? What are your interests?

The answers to these questions will help you decide which third place is the best to have in your home, maybe even more than one. Once you know what you want to use a space for, keep it intentional. Focus the space on your goal, no matter how small the space is, so it’s clear what it's is all about.

If you need to use a space for two purposes, make sure that it’s easy to transition from one to the other. Maintain it well, so it stays accessible and clutter-free, and add your personal touches since, after all, it’s inside your home.

Create An Inviting Third Place That Puts You First

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time on creating a third place inside your home. Quite the contrary. A few simple tweaks and touches can give you a space that adds a ton of value to your life.

Your home should be a place where you can do the things you love. Having a third place in your home makes the things you enjoy more accessible, encouraging you to be your best self.

Related Guides:

• Diverse Dining Rooms: Creating A Multi-Functional Space
• Kids Moving Out? What Can You Do With Those Empty Rooms?
• 10 Simple Ideas For Creating Cozy Corners