8 Great Room Revamps for Mom

1. Craft Room

Does your mom print her own wrapping paper, sew her own duvets and make all of the decorations for friends' baby showers? Fixing up a special spot for her to harness her creativity and tackle crafts may be the perfect Mother's Day gift. If there's not already a designated spot in the house for a craft space, find an unused nook or simply set up a small table in a guest room or home office. You don't need a ton of space — just room for the essentials. If she already has her own craft room, organize that messy space as a surprise.

Must-haves: A bulletin board — complete with inspiration shots — is a fun way to personalize a craft room's style without having to add additional art. Besides the basics, buy a new set of colorful pens and pencils.

Decorating tip: If you don't have a standard desk to use for storage, items that normally go in a drawer — like scissors — can be hung on hooks for functional wall art.

2. Reading Nook

Most moms would love a little more time to themselves. Set up a spot near a sunny window or bookshelf for curling up with a book. A window seat is the perfect potential reading nook. Add a shelf with some of her favorite reads, and fluff up a few pillows and blankets to make it cozy. If there isn't a window seat in her home, you can achieve the same feel with a comfy chair in a well-lit corner.

Must-haves: Accessorize with plenty of big pillows and a soft blanket or two. Don't forget a handy shelf and a small table to hold cups of tea. Place a lamp nearby for late nights or stormy afternoons.

Decorating tip: Consider putting in an easy-to-install curtain around the nook for privacy (and naps).

3. Baking Station

If your mother has a great recipe, setting up a baking station is as much a gift to yourself as it is to her. Regardless of the kitchen size, it's worth it to get inspired and designate a place for all of her baking supplies. Fill a small, portable cart with essential ingredients, tools, cookbooks and recipes.

Must-haves: Glass containers make it easy to find basic ingredients. Keep a few cutting boards, whisks, rubber spatulas and rolling pins on the cart too. Think about what your mom likes to bake and add the appropriate items — cookie cutters or cupcake liners, for instance.

Decorating tip: Make sure the cart can be stored when it's not in use. If there just isn't enough room for it in your mother's kitchen, consider clearing and organizing a shelf near a convenient countertop or workspace as a makeshift baking station.

4. Home Office

Whether your mom works from home, goes to an office or is retired, having a space to work on her own special projects is important.

It doesn't have to be particularly grand — it could just be a matter of helping her clean up a cluttered home office or kitchen desk space, sliding a desk and chair into an empty closet or transforming an unused hutch into an easy-to-clean home office.

Make sure that whatever space you choose has adequate lighting, outlets and Internet access.

Must-haves: A quirky or colorful chair can instantly turn a desk into a cute office space. Add a few patterned boxes, a fun bulletin board and a unique mouse pad for other easy, personalized touches.

Decorating tip: If you're helping mom set up a small home office, keep in mind that you don't have to store everything nearby. Extra paper, files and other less-used supplies can be stored in labeled boxes and tucked into a nearby room.

Get inspired by Houzz user's offices

5. Bath Sanctuary

Design a relaxing space for Mom to take the ultimate bubble bath. Accessories are key here — candles, plush towels, silky bath oils, soft soaps and sponges should all be laid out. Don't forget to clean the bathroom too. It's difficult to relax in a bathroom that's a pigsty.

Must-haves: With the right tools, an average bath can become a place for pampering. A new mat, a soft robe and pretty soap dishes can make all the difference in a bathroom's ambience.

Decorating tip: Take into account that scent is a huge emotional trigger. Choose subtly scented candles and bath oils that blend, not clash, with one another.

6. Relaxing Outdoor Space

If your mom's more of a "get your hands dirty" type, her own Zen garden space might be a better form of relaxation than a bubble bath. Sweep off an outdoor patio or rake the dead leaves out of her garden and freshen things up with a new layer of gravel and a potted plant or two. Buy a new patio chair or chaise and accent it with a colorful pillow, and you've got an instant outdoor reading and relaxing room.

Must-haves: A truly comfortable outdoor space has all the makings of a great indoor space. Side tables for iced tea and magazines, pillows, blankets and good lighting (whether natural or artificial) are worth the extra effort.

Decorating tip: Little things go a long way in outdoor spaces. Take the time to clear out any dead plants or leaves, and sweep surface areas.

8. Clean House

If your mom is anything like mine, the one thing she wants for Mother's Day is a clean house. It doesn't sound that fancy, but if your mom is too busy to do it herself, it can be the perfect gift. Clean her kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedrooms. Clear her clutter and get things organized. Or, if you can afford it, hire a cleaning service for the day.

More ideas for Mom:
50 Gifts for the Design-Loving Mom