How to Build the Ultimate Hobby Room

In the words of Lao Tzu, “To know others is wisdom. To know yourself is enlightenment.” Hobbies are the embodiment of self-understanding, much like building our dream homes. They are pursuits we engage in not for financial gain or outside recognition, but for the enrichment of our human experience.

Therefore, it is paramount that your space can play host to the things you love most. From vinyl aficionados to gaming gurus, knitting maestros to grail collectors, the rule is simple: have at least one room that is, essentially, a larger extension of your brain’s greatest daydreams. For all you passion seekers out there, here are the starting points for building your ultimate hobby hideout.

You want to be able to tell a story that sparks curiosity — one that builds anticipation in any like-minded individuals (whether they want to hear it or not) about how this room creates the single greatest experience you could hope for. For example, Brionvega is one of the foremost speaker system innovators in the world and has been creating audiological marvels since the 50s. Their mid-century charm, paired with decades of sound-engineering majesty, delivers one of the world’s best vinyl listening experiences. Like many legends of niche interests, Achille Castiglioni’s Radiofonografo even has an official owners club for those who belong to this exclusive group.

Now that we’ve discussed the DNA of the perfect personal space, let’s explore which pieces are ideal for the hobbies we love so dearly — starting with a personal favourite of mine. As all film geeks know, half the battle when getting into a movie happens off-screen. Not off-camera, but in the space around you. Setting up your own personal cinema room is about as intimate as it gets for those of us who are fans of the silver screen.

Add some dramatic dimmable lamps and take on your own cinematic universe from the comfort of a Cassina armchair. Want the true multiplex experience? Invest in Poltrona Frau’s collaboration with camera legends Leica, which projects picture-perfect quality right from the TV unit into your home.

Music is the language of the world. Love stories are told, tragedies are compressed into three-minute sonatas, and a collection of your fondest memories exists in melodic form. It doesn’t even need lyrics for you to understand the message. Imagine keeping a library that contains all of that — you’d want it to be your own personal listening paradise.

You’re going to need a place to sit back, store your special songs, and hear every note in pitch-perfect quality. The following steps are our recommended failsafe: combine bespoke storage from USM with that megastar of vintage aesthetics: the Eames Lounge Chair. Then dial it up to eleven (I tried to avoid the Spinal Tap reference — I really did) with a sound system from Brionvega or Transparent.

Other hobbies take a more DIY approach — for the practically-minded among us who pass the time quilting, crocheting, and painting to their heart’s content. After all, nothing makes a house feel more like a home than making space for your own creations, amplified further when those pieces are made within the boundaries of your abode. So, what path can you take to create the perfect crafting space?

Storage is usually a great place to start. You need somewhere to put the things you aren’t using so you aren’t overwhelmed by materials and tools. Next comes seating — this needs to be mobile, adjustable, and able to fit comfortably within the rest of your space. Style is more of an optional extra in this regard. Finally, while we specialise in surfaces, we don't want to recommend breaking out the paint by numbers on any them, so we'll leave that to you.

Is the local library still not quiet enough? Want to be the sole member of your own book club? The obvious prerequisite for this hobby is, of course, literature. But the design that transforms a space into your own reading room — one that lets the words transport you to another world from the comfort of home — is the ultimate goal.

This one is a little looser on the guidelines: all of the below are a matter of personal preference, and are largely down to the individual. Pick a comfy chair (with a side table to match), a glowing floor lamp, and an even bigger bookcase — and you’ve got your reading room. Decorate the shelves with your favourite personal effects, and light a candle for added ambience.