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Design 101
How To Design a Small Guest Bedroom
With the right mix of comfortable furniture and thoughtful details, you can make your guests feel at home. Of course, not everyone has a spacious guest house or spare bedroom to work with. Our small guest bedroom ideas will help you give your visitors a five-star experience, no matter the size of your space.
Design 101
How To Design a Small Guest Bedroom
With the right mix of comfortable furniture and thoughtful details, you can make your guests feel at home. Of course, not everyone has a spacious guest house or spare bedroom to work with. Our small guest bedroom ideas will help you give your visitors a five-star experience, no matter the size of your space.
Set a Neutral Color Scheme
Give yourself a clean slate by choosing a neutral color palette for your small guest bedroom. Here are a few classic neutrals to consider:
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Beige
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Cream
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Eggshell white
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Greige (a combination of gray and beige)
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Taupe
These soft neutrals will make your small guest bedroom feel inviting and serene. Plus, you can easily switch up the decor whenever you want to refresh the room without revamping the entire color scheme.
For instance, you could pair beige furniture with navy linens and a blue rug. When you’re ready for a change, you could swap out the textiles for emerald green or burnt orange accessories. These small updates will make the room feel new without breaking the bank.
Interested in seasonal transformations? A neutral backdrop lets you adorn your guest bedroom with a rotating selection of holiday decor, such as miniature Christmas trees and spooky Halloween garlands.
Choose Simple and Light Furniture Pieces
You don’t need to splurge on fancy or oversized furniture for your small guest bedroom. Focus on simple but comfortable pieces that maximize your space.
Every small guest bedroom design should include these key pieces of furniture:
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A sleeping solution: Your visitors need a cozy place to sleep after a fun-filled day. A full- or queen-sized bed will give them plenty of room to relax. If you want to conserve space, consider a compact sleeper sofa or a stylish daybed.
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A dresser: Guests who stay for a few days often want to unpack their suitcases. Consider a dresser or sideboard to increase storage without taking up too much floor space.
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A nightstand: Place a small nightstand or bedside table next to the bed. This furniture lets guests keep eyeglasses, medication, phones, and other necessities close.
Use Decor Sparingly
You may feel tempted to fill your guest room with accessories, but don’t go overboard. A minimalist design will make the room feel more spacious and avoid overwhelming your visitors.
Here are a few small guest bedroom decorating ideas for inspiration:
- Create a gallery wall: Dedicate one wall to a collection of small paintings or framed photographs. For example, you could display pictures of local attractions to introduce guests to the area. This wall art will add visual appeal without cluttering the space.
- Choose a beautiful color scheme: Pick a stylish accent color to complement your neutral foundation. A blue guest bedroom could include a light blue vase, teal throw pillows, and a patterned blue rug.
- Include amenities: Place a decorative tray or woven basket on the dresser to hold small comforts. Delight your guests by filling this container with their favorite snacks, reading materials, a spare charger, and other thoughtful touches.
Properly Light the Space
Navigating an unfamiliar space can be challenging, especially in the dark. Provide adequate lighting.
Place a floor lamp in the corner or near the bed for ambient lighting. Look for a lamp that fits the room’s overall aesthetic and sets the perfect mood. For example, an iron arc floor lamp fits a modern or industrial design. Meanwhile, a sophisticated torchiere lamp blends into a contemporary or transitional space.
Set a table lamp on the nightstand or bedside table for task lighting. Your guests can use this smaller light to read or search for items in the middle of the night. Pick a table lamp made from the same materials as the floor lamp for a cohesive look.
Finally, consider plugging a small night light into one of the outlets. This subtle light will help guests find the bathroom in the dark without turning on a blinding overhead light.
Tips for Small Guest Bedrooms
Once you’ve nailed the essentials, you might look for more ways to improve your guest room. These creative ideas for a small guest bedroom will help you make your space more comfortable and versatile.
Home office/guest room combo
Get twice the use out of your space with a small guest bedroom office combo.
Pick a small desk that doesn’t take up too much real estate. For example, an L-shaped desk tucks neatly into the corner, maximizing the floor space. Alternatively, you can place a slender desk up against the wall.
Keep your office area organized with floating shelves or wall-mounted organizers. These vertical storage solutions give you plenty of storage space without taking up floor space.
Choose a small sleeper sofa that lets you accommodate overnight guests without taking up too much space.
Creating space for guests in a studio or one-bedroom apartment
You don’t need an entire bedroom to accommodate visitors. With a little creativity, you can host guests in a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
Use multifunctional furniture to add extra sleeping areas. A convertible sofa provides seating during the day and transforms into a cozy bed at night. Other convenient options include a fold-out Murphy bed or a bunk bed.
Give your guests privacy with a decorative screen or curtain. These temporary dividers offer a measure of seclusion without permanently changing the layout of your apartment.
Storing guest bedroom linens
Store your guest bedroom linens between visits to keep them fresh and dust-free. A platform bed with built-in drawers provides storage space for bulky duvets, sheets, and throw pillows. You can also tuck linens into a dresser, large woven baskets, or storage totes.
Do you go months between visitors? Stash lavender sachets or dryer sheets in between the stored bedsheets to make your guest room smell pleasant and fight musty odors.
Multipurpose Furniture
Get more out of your limited space with multipurpose furniture. These pieces improve your small guest bedroom’s functionality without making it feel cramped.
Here are some innovative options:
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A headboard with built-in shelves for books, small houseplants, and other accessories
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A desk with drawers to store office supplies
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An ottoman for extra seating and storage
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A storage bench that guests can sit on
Design a Cozy Retreat for Your Guests
You don’t need to live in a luxurious mansion to host guests. With careful planning, you can turn a small bedroom or living room into a comfortable and welcoming space for visitors.
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