3 Design Tips to Maximize Space in Your Guest Room
If you have a dedicated guest room in your home, you know how wonderful it is to have a place already set up to host out-of-town family and friends. However, utilizing that extra bedroom is probably relatively rare so the question becomes how to maximize the space for storage or other needs that you and your family might require of it.
You don’t want it to be a room that is a magnet for clutter or one that becomes a depot for random items. That just defeats the purpose of home organization altogether! There should be a specific plan mapped out to ensure cohesiveness of the space and a strategy for everything that is placed in it. Here are three design tips that can help you create a guest room that is multi-purpose and practical while taking full advantage of the precious real estate in your home.
- Optimize for Daily Use
- Think Vertical
- Storage Galore
Read on to learn more about the highlighted design tips & get the most use out of your guest room.
1. Optimize for Daily Use
As you ponder the layout and unique placement for the needs of your guest room, think first about how it will be used on a daily basis. This is especially true if you will be utilizing the room in a hybrid capacity such as a home office or a reading/study nook.
The furniture and accessories you might need will vary of course. In order to make the most of every inch, here are several focal points and items you want to contemplate incorporating as you go about architecting the best use of the room's floor plan:
Size and Type of Bed
In an arrangement where your guest room is required for dual purposes, minimizing the allotted space needed by a bed could be met by purchasing a futon, sleeper sofa, day bed, trundle bed or a Murphy Bed. If not, a traditional bed works fine snuggled into a corner against a wall rather than jutting into the middle of the room, consuming space away from other items.
Nightstand or Small Table
A nightstand or small table with drawers/doors lends itself to extra everyday storage and provides a home for a lamp, clock, tissues, books, and/or knick-knacks. When guests come to stay, add a decorative bowl or small tray for them to stash their phones/chargers, wallets and keys.
Desk
If you are using your guest room as a home office as well, you'll want to find an appropriately sized desk that comes with ample storage. When company arrives, the desktop provides additional surface area for laptops & luggage or could continue to operate as a work area. You could also find a viable portable option and wheel it out when company comes knocking.
Lighting
Do not skimp on good lighting as it is essential, no matter the room. If you can and space permits, choose complimentary layers of lighting including a standing lamp, a bedside lamp or sconces so that your guests can adjust to their preferences.
Dresser or Armoire
Look for a compact dresser or floor-to-ceiling armoire that comes with numerous drawers & shelves. A good rule of thumb is to earmark two-thirds of those drawers/shelves for everyday storage while leaving one third available for guest’s belongings.
Mirror
Placing a large mirror in any room, particularly one that is smaller or without a window, is a terrific way to give the illusion that the room is bigger than it is. It's a well-known design “trick.” In addition, your guests will be thankful to have a mirror to use for more practical purposes.
2. Think Vertical
Think up! Finding space-saving solutions that you can mount on a wall will free up area on a nightstand, table, or desk. Think about sconces, a floating bookshelf, or a closed-door cabinet. Add hooks for hats, jackets, and bags to keep the floor from becoming a depository.
Four walls offer a ton of creative options. Making the most of vertical space not only adds plenty of storage but visually when you showcase items on a wall, it draws the eye upward which organically makes the room feel larger.
3. Storage Galore
A spare bedroom offers you oodles of space to keep things tidy and in order. Under-the-bed is an often-overlooked location for squeezing in extra storage. Purchase coordinated zipper bins that keep the dust out but still hold off-season clothes or holiday decor which slide easily underneath. A storage bench placed at the end of a bed or along a wall is perfect for stashing extra pillows, bedding, towels, and linens while also serving as a seating area or an extra location to place suitcases or folded clothes.
If you have a closet in your guest room, outfit it with floor to ceiling racks, bins, and shelves. It's amazing how much you can fit into a well thought out closet. Be sure to leave extra hangers and breathing room for your guest’s clothing. Again, much like drawers, don't fill it to the brim.
When a guest room is being utilized for dual purposes, you will need to consider any specific storage needs and accommodate them accordingly. The interior design website Modsy has a
great read on how to be creative with guest rooms that are used for other purposes such as an office, fitness area, or leisure area for TV viewing or reading.
Final Thoughts
Having a guest room in your home is a fabulous bonus. Ensuring you get a bit of ROI out of those four walls can readily be accomplished with some thoughtful planning. Identifying the room’s personality, finding balance, and maximizing space are key. This is especially true if you are using it to accommodate both a day job and as a restful respite. All of these elements can be satisfied by following the above design tips.