Ideas for Decorating and Furnishing a Small Guestroom

A small guestroom provides a private area for guests, and even if the space is tight, as long as it is furnished with a comfy bed it is far better than a couch in a common area of the home. Decorating and furnishing a very small guestroom might seem like a huge challenge, but it can be very easy with space-saving furniture and practical decorating techniques. Make the most of available space, and turn even the smallest extra room into a comfortable guest retreat.

Consider Furnishing a Small Guestroom with a Trundle Bed

The fifth bedroom in my Cedar Lake Indiana home was very small. It had a single window and just enough space for a full-size bed and a chest of drawers, but I wanted to transform the space into a guestroom that would easily accommodate three people. The room had two doors. One led to the main bathroom, and the other led to the living room. Since space was greatly lacking I replaced the full-size bed with a trundle bed. It offered a full-sized bed and a twin bed that rolled out from below. It was ideal for the needs of my guests.

Install Built-In Storage that Serves Double-Duty

My guestroom offered a dormer below a window. It added an interesting architectural element to the decorating scheme as well as a place to view the outdoors, but served also served a very valuable purpose. The niche was the ideal place for built-in storage since the space was otherwise wasted, but I did not choose plastic storage crates or a chest of drawers.

When in the process of furnishing the guestroom, I had my dad build a bench with hidden storage space. I could not find a store-bought cushion that fit the bench perfectly. I made one using heavy cotton and pillow batting. It was exceptionally comfortable, and it fit the space beautifully. I used the built-in furnishing to store guestroom pillows, blankets and sheet sets. The bench was long enough to stretch out on and relax, and it provided guests with a comfy alcove to read and watch the birds feeding in the yard below. My guests loved this built-in furnishing.

Replace Hinged Doors to Make the Most of the Small Space

The doors to my small guestroom were a problem. They opened into the guestroom, and they took up a lot of valuable space when they were open. I had to maintain enough space for clearance when furnishing and decorating the guestroom. Unless I could find another option, the hinged doors were a must.

Pocket doors were a viable alternative to standard doors, but I did not want to invest in the services of a remodeling professional. Wall studs would have to be removed, and electrical connections and switches would also get in the way. I decided on sliding doors instead. They slid on a track just outside of the bedroom. They looked great, and they worked beautifully. Every square inch of guestroom space became usable. Guests were able to lock the sliding doors with a decorative cast iron metal hook and eye. The hardware was originally manufactured for shutters, but they looked great on my sliding doors.

Consider Furnishing and Decorating with Open Shelving

When furnishing and decorating the guestroom I chose open shelving for added storage. Not only would it add to the decorating scheme, but it could be used to store everything from extra pillowcases to books.

I installed heavy wood shelving with sturdy wooden brackets, and I painted them a beautiful shade of cornflower blue to match one of the accent colors in the bedspread. I used pretty woven baskets to outfit the lowest shelf, and I stored packaged snacks and other items for guests inside of the basketry. I filled the rest of the shelves with tabletop decor to give the guestroom a homey look and feel. I also added a row of books that would appeal to any reader.

I received many compliments from friends and relatives that stayed in my small guestroom. Although the space was quite small, it was well-decorated and very efficient. It provided everything they needed and wanted while staying overnight, and it gave them a comfortable, private space for relaxation.

Source: Personal and Professional Decorating and Interior Design Experience