Also referred to as \u2018analog\u2019 or \u2018dumb\u2019 spaces by interior designers in recent years, these rooms are designed for offline activities, from quiet reading to creative hobbies, making them, ironically, anything but ‘useless’.<\/p>\n
You may like<\/p>\n
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A small cozy nook that’s dedicated to reading and relaxing is the type of once ‘useless’ room we are seeing make a comeback in 2026.<\/p>\n
(Image credit: Henry Prideaux)<\/p>\n
\u2019These dedicated rooms to escape to and connect in are incredibly intentional. As open-plan living dominated for years, we lost some of the intimacy that defined older homes,\u2019 explains Connecticut and NYC-based interior designer, Darci Hether<\/a>. \u2018Now, clients are craving rooms with a clear purpose, whether that\u2019s reflection, conversation, or creativity. These spaces support connection and calm, and they\u2019re often the rooms our clients end up using the most.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in analog trends and you’re inspired to create a screen-free refuge to recharge, then you\u2019re in the right place, as we\u2019ve rounded up a host of ideas alongside some handy tips from the experts.<\/p>\n 1. Library Rooms<\/p>\n \n This is a custom library room designed by Alexandra Azat with plenty of space for lounging with a good book.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Plaster & Patina, photograph Amy Bartlam)<\/p>\n There\u2019s no doubt that spending time free from the distractions of the modern day and getting lost in a good book does wonders for wellbeing, so it\u2019s understandable why the home library<\/a> and reading nooks<\/a> are seeing a resurgence.<\/p>\n Here, California-based interior designer Alexandra Azat created a screen-free library room for her clients, taking care to make the space comfortable yet characterful. Previously, the home had been stripped of its character, so Alexandra took care to choose materials and lighting that would complement its history.<\/p>\n \u2018This was a historic home in Pasadena by the Arroyo. The clients are avid readers and wanted a cozy place where they could all play games and read together,\u2019 explains Alexandra Azat, founder of Plaster & Patina<\/a>. \u2018We wrapped the room in white oak built-ins stained in a rich honey color to bring warmth, and we created deep built-in seating with dense cushions to lie back on.\u2019<\/p>\n ‘We removed all of the can lights and instead installed beautiful beams with inlaid unlacquered brass flush mounts within them. We also added picture lights to the surrounding woodwork. The walls were painted a subtle blush, and the cushions were covered in a fun, buttery yellow fabric.’<\/p>\n Often, custom-built ins built around the architecture are key to a successful library room. Not only do they maximize storage space, when fitted floor-to-ceiling, they help create that cozy, refuge feel.<\/p>\n What to read next<\/p>\n 2. Tech-Free Lounges<\/p>\n \n This teal-drenched lounge was designed without a TV to be a place for conversation. <\/p>\n (Image credit: Interior by Kara Adam, photograph Stephen Karlisch)<\/p>\n For decades, large screens have formed the focal point of living rooms<\/a>, but with more of us now conscious of digital overwhelm, today, many are placing importance on having screen-free living spaces dedicated to conversation.<\/p>\n \u2018Analog rooms are designed to encourage connection, conversation, and calm, and this gathering room is a perfect example,\u2019 explains interior designer Tracy Morris<\/a>. When it comes to designing these spaces, it\u2019s all about comfort, she adds. \u2018Instead of technology taking center stage, the focus is on comfortable seating arranged for face-to-face interaction, warm lighting, and tactile materials like leather, wood, and textiles.\u2019<\/p>\n Dallas-based interior designer Kara Adam has also noticed a shift towards more restful, intentional spaces. ‘We\u2019re definitely seeing more clients ask for what I call \u2018analog spaces\u2019 \u2013 rooms that are really about quality time. Not in a dramatic, unplug-everything way, but spaces that just naturally make you want to slow down,’ says the interior designer and founder of Kara Adam Interiors<\/a>.<\/p>\n When designing them, she thinks first about how people gather. ‘Comfortable chairs are key \u2013 if the seating isn\u2019t good, no one lingers. I always add a few stools that can move around easily, small drink tables within reach, and lighting that\u2019s soft and dimmable so the room feels just as good in the evening as it does in the afternoon.’<\/p>\n Texture in interior design<\/a> is important too, she adds. ‘Layered rugs, warm woods, upholstered walls, tactile fabrics. You want it to feel cozy and inviting, but not heavy. It\u2019s a quieter kind of luxury, and clients are really responding to that right now.’<\/p>\n 3. Home Bars<\/p>\n \n This colorful home bar is painted in Sherwin-Williams’ SW6734-Espalier<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Autumn Dawn Interiors)<\/p>\n For those who love to entertain, a home bar <\/a>is the dream. Offering custom-built spaces to create your favorite cocktails and unwind with friends, they’re rooms designed to be offline and dedicated to socializing and relaxation. As they’re not used every day, home bars are wonderful spaces for being a bit daring with decor, as demonstrated in this project by Autumn Dawn Design.<\/p>\n Here, bold green walls and statement upholstery bring a real sense of fun and occasion. \u2018The clients are hobbyist food and wine connoisseurs who sought to transform an unused dining room<\/a> into a library-bar lounge for afternoon cocktails and light reading. This space would house select cookbooks and memorabilia collected during their travels,\u2019 explains Autumn Pochiro, founder and principal designer at Autumn Dawn Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018The husband, an alumnus of Yale’s architecture program, requested a color palette that would serve as a vibrant reflection of his academic experience. The layered environment, free from electronics and interruptions, offers a dedicated library and space to enjoy a premium Scotch as well as a perfectly chilled bottle of wine.\u2019<\/p>\n 4. Games Rooms<\/p>\n \n A large basement games room combined with a chill out space by Curated Nest.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Interior by Curated Nest, Jacob Snavely Photo)<\/p>\n Often located in the basement, connected to a garage, or set within an outbuilding, game rooms<\/a> designed to house larger equipment such as pool tables or ping pong are also sought after if space allows.<\/p>\n This sleek games room-cum-chillout space is bright, uplifting, and perfect for spending some wholesome family time away from the tech. The table doubles as a ping pong table, while around the corner is a shuffleboard. In the seating area, natural wood and warm leather are layered with tactile textures, including boucle and velvet, which help make this space feel like a grounding and relaxing refuge.<\/p>\n ‘We\u2019re seeing a real appetite for spaces that feel intentionally analog. After years of open-concept living and screen-driven rooms, clients are craving environments with more mood, texture, and purpose. Especially in lower levels, we\u2019re designing defined zones for gathering, games, hosting, conversation, and overnight guests,’ explains Erin Coren, co-founder of Curated Nest<\/a>. ‘These spaces are meant to encourage interaction rather than distraction. Architectural details aren\u2019t just aesthetic choices; they help frame experiences and create zones and a sense of place in a larger space.’<\/p>\n 5. Music and Listening Rooms<\/p>\n \n A music nook with custom shelving, papered in House of Hackney’s Limerence wallpaper in Tobacco<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Anne McDonald Design, photograph Michael P. H. Clifford)<\/p>\n Whether you play an instrument or just love listening to music, having a dedicated space to zone out and tune in is a wonderful way to spend some quality offline time. With space often at a premium for many, dedicated hobby or music rooms aren’t always a possibility for everyone. Instead, many designers are turning to clever zoning techniques to create dedicated listening or music areas, as done here by Anne McDonald Design<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018I love creating tech-free spaces for our clients \u2013 special zones designated for conversation, game playing, music listening, and just lounging together or solo with a great book,\u2019 explains Anne McDonald, founder of Anne McDonald Design. \u2018This listening space is a nook within this home’s formal living room, which we cocooned in House of Hackney’s Limerence wallpaper<\/a> and fitted with a custom-built-in birch wood wall unit with specially designed cabinets for vinyl storage and accessories.\u2019 Warm natural tones bring a relaxing, organic feel, while a vintage Turkish rug and the rattan armchair add further warmth and texture.<\/p>\n As with so many hobby spaces, the key to success is often in the customized design and attention to detail. \u2018We custom-designed this sectional, which is covered in a Zak & Fox<\/a> retro print. The combination of the rosewood Eames chair covered in Rosemary Hallgarten purple mohair and the vintage Giraffe lamp from Rispal makes the perfect place to curl up with a glass of whiskey,’ adds Anne.<\/p>\n 6. Spiritual Spaces<\/p>\n \n Yoga room painted in Coventry Gray HC-169<\/a> by Benjamin Moore.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Darci Hether, Photograph Kelsey Ann Rose Photography)<\/p>\n As interest in wellness grows, spaces dedicated to spiritual nourishment, such as yoga, meditation, and prayer spaces, are on the rise, according to designers.<\/p>\n \u2018In many of our recent projects, clients have asked for specific areas that offer restorative and personal activities,\u2019 explains Darci Hether. \u2018Here, we transformed a former guest bedroom<\/a> into a serene at-home yoga studio layered with soft, natural textiles, dimmable lighting, and an ample amount of space to lay a couple of yoga mats as well as meditation cushions.\u2019<\/p>\n In these spaces, calm neutral palettes are the go-to, alongside natural textures. Furniture is limited to a few functional pieces, and no space is complete without some vitality-boosting greenery.<\/p>\n \n A his and hers yoga studio and gym designed by Curated Nest.<\/p>\n (Image credit: Curated Nest, photograph Jacob Snavely Photo)<\/p>\n This space by Curated Nest was specifically designed as a his and hers yoga studio-cum-gym. \u2018We split the space in half (his and hers!) and brought in typical gym rubber flooring on the workout side of the room, and a light wood floor on the yoga side. We opted for boho-inspired decor as you’d see in Bali, one of their favorite vacation spots,\u2019 explains Erin Coren, co-founder of Curated Nest<\/a>.<\/p>\n A mirrored wall makes the room feel larger and brighter and is fitted with a ballet barre. Rattan pendant lights give a soft glow ideal for meditation, while greenery and candles add to the relaxed mood. \u2018The space came together through the combination of dark and light woods and rattan elements throughout, and offered our clients a gym where their (very different!) design goals were achieved.’<\/p>\n Stylish Buys for Analog Spaces<\/p>\n From sleek, sophisticated furnishings and warm ambient lighting to vitality-boosting greenery, these key buys are perfect for serene screen-free spaces.<\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n McGee & Co.<\/p>\n Carmella Slipper Chair<\/p>\n Low slipper-style seating is great for analog spaces designed for socializing and relaxation. Comfortable yet stylish, the simple silhouette and low-profile design of this Carmella chair will keep spaces feeling spacious and open.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Lulu and Georgia<\/p>\n Alistair bookcase by Amber Lewis x Four Hands<\/p>\n If you’re planning a home library, then bookshelves are essential. Available in a Worn Oak or Smoke Black finish, this Alistair wooden bookcase makes a timeless and functional piece.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Pooky<\/p>\n Quingo brass wall fixture with Ikat Empire shade <\/p>\n Creating soft, ambient light, wall sconces are perfect for rooms dedicated to conversation and relaxation. The fitting features a warm brass finish and can come with a wide array of decorative shades to suit any scheme.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Pottery Barn<\/p>\n Faux Green Leaf Tree<\/p>\n No analog space would be complete without some wellness-boosting greenery. Standing tall at 72.5 inches, this leafy faux indoor tree will help create a feeling of escape and refuge. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Williams Sonoma<\/p>\n Lewis Sideboard<\/p>\n Offering closed storage as well as a handy display space, this sideboard would be at home in a home bar, games room or analog social space. Made from solid wood with stylish, dark fluted doors and brass handles, it oozes retro chic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Lulu and Georgia<\/p>\n Samina Woven floor lamp<\/p>\n Soft, warm lighting is essential in analog rooms. With a solid walnut beaded stand and natural jute shade would inject warmth and texture to any space.<\/p>\n After decades of open-plan living, designers are now noticing a shift towards more private, intentional spaces. Today, private, tech-free spaces once seen as \u2018useless\u2019 are growing in popularity as we seek to embrace offline activities as part of more slow living homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n ‘We\u2019re seeing clients ask for rooms with a singular purpose, such as libraries, music rooms, and games rooms – spaces that aren\u2019t anchored by a television or screens,’ explains Andrew Suvalsky, founder of New York\u2013based Andrew Suvalsky Designs<\/a>. ‘When every room does everything, it loses clarity, and people are craving environments where they can actually focus on one activity without distraction.’<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For decades, open-plan living has dominated domestic layouts, being the aspiration for many. Up until the mid 20th…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":444310,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[6225,6485,6486,1120,96,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-444309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-design","tag-entertainment","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=444309"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/444309\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/444310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=444309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=444309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=444309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Library](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bXxesJnmTzTYwYmEWNSzjZ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Analog](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PWgM4kkSofCYwM7FWQpqen.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Home](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4aGupL5WSJ7aEKQFwnQHQZ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Large](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NAAXoxuNMwWQuVmLDmSmcc.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Music](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/zyat3KyGLmCLJQhjiTZokZ.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Grey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/SV7KdSfdeDZkJyhZaFrKL5.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"His](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/KTHUXv8BbHbJvbW5LrJEJL.jpg\")
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\n<\/p>\n![\"Carmella](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/oCs2mu572ywPEQ3aJDxzND.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Alistair](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/XfaXCjLndJNj3bNtHnvwKD.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Pooky](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/7NnT4w5hDDEXGLRKKkrJaD.png\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Faux](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cKmpsZ9skKDB4S8gWQfhRD.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Lewis](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/YC7MXKsA7iUxRtNP8NhGpV.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Walnut](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vwD8hun45TudneCpyqHF8m.jpg\")
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