Guest bedrooms are quite the luxury, especially in today’s day and age where maximizing whatever space you have is the norm. However, suppose you’re one of the lucky few with a guest bedroom to spare. In that case, it only makes sense to create a functional space for personal use as it will only be occupied a small percentage of the time. 

While guest bedrooms are generally smaller in size, we’ve got some great ideas on making the most of that extra space and maximizing the layout for everyday use. We’ve listed down some alternative uses for a guest bedroom that work no matter the size. And we’re sure you’re going to love ‘em.

1. Put It to Work With a Home Office

With 2020 being the year it has been, we’ve all spent a lot more time at home. Everything from socializing with friends and family to getting your work done has moved online. And here’s where your guest room can be a real lifesaver. 

All that extra space makes for an excellent home office. With distractions lurking around every corner in the rest of your home, it's challenging to get work done in other areas of your home that are considered more common, like the kitchen, the living room, or the family room. 

Additionally, there are countless trendy office furniture designs online to ensure that your workspace can seamlessly blend in with the existing guest room decor.

A beautiful and highly functional desk with lots of drawer space, like Living Space’s Owen Desk in grey, boasts two storage drawers and one filing drawer to keep necessary paperwork and odds and ends out of sight. 

Now, with a statement desk comes the responsibility of getting yourself a kickass chair that knocks those stuffy and boring leather office chairs out of the park. The Pennell Task Chair from Wayfair does just that with absolute ease.  

2. Nestle It Into a Nursery

When space is a premium, every inch you can maximize is a must. For a nursery that doubles as a guest room from time to time, use elegant furniture that looks anything but childish. 

Our designers often recommend staying away from child or baby themes for nurseries and opt for more transitional styles instead. Toys, plush animals, and baby books will give that look regardless of the type of furniture you choose. 

We love the idea of incorporating a daybed like the Urban Daybed & Trundle from West Elm for a change. During the day, it can serve as additional seating space and a cute bench/sofa space. When you have guests over, the day bed comes out to fit up to four guests comfortably. Available in over ten different colors, it will instantly fit into your room’s design. 

3. Maximize Storage Space With Innovative Furniture

If you’re pressed for extra storage space (let’s face it, we all are, like 90% of the time), a guest bedroom is a great space to stow away all those extra things. This doesn’t mean you need to compromise on the decor of your room. You just gotta get smart with the furniture you buy.

With so many fantastic under-the-bed storage options, you no longer have to rely on flimsy plastic tubs that don’t last very long or look aesthetically pleasing. We are totally in love with Wayfair’s Neve Upholstered Storage Bed. This piece is an excellent example of how you don’t have to sacrifice style for extra storage. The under-bed drawers are a fantastic bonus feature in addition to the beautifully upholstered headboard with nailhead accents. 

Another excellent small guest bedroom idea is a free-standing wardrobe that can be easily added to any existing closet space and maximizes all that extra vertical space in the room. This is an inexpensive storage fix for small spaces. There are tons of affordable options under $100 for wardrobes like these. We recommend Kleppstad from IKEA. 

4. Keep It a Secret

Maybe you don’t receive guests that often to have a bed in your room 24/7. If you really want a multi-purpose guest room, choose secret bed furniture. Well, you can still have a home office with elegant artwork, a full-size desk, and even a built-in bookcase. 

It’s secret? Having a pull-down bed that can instantly transform the space into a still stylish and private guest room. 

Seriously, murphy beds are nothing like they used to be. So long are the metal-framed beds that look old and clumsy. There are so many creative solutions you can find nowadays that you won’t even need to get different furniture pieces. 

Take the Alegra Queen Wall Bed with Desk and Double-Side Built-ins from Urban LLoft Furnishing. When closed, you have plenty of drawers on the sides to tuck away pillows, blankets, documents, and more. There’s enough space to fit in a writing desk -- that you won’t have to worry about when it’s time to lower the bed.

4. Fit In At-Home Workout Space

A standard yoga mat measures two feet wide and just over five feet long — which is all the space you need if you want to get a good stretch in. Once you’re done with your workout, yoga mats are quick and easy to stow away. Just roll ‘em up and put it away in the closet, and you’re good to go.

Pro tip: yoga mats can even be used as part of your decor. Prop it up on a dual-purpose shelf and yoga mat holder like this one from FineWineCaddy on Etsy, and it’ll never look out of place.

Another excellent workout add-on that doesn’t take up too much space is small dumbbells. You could easily fit them into a desk drawer or store them away in your under-the-bed storage. All you’ll need now is your workout clothes and some peppy music to get your heart rate up.

5. Choose an Unexpected Location

A guest bedroom doesn’t have to be designated as a bedroom in your house. Think outside the box and develop other areas in your home that could double as a guest bedroom. We’ve seen our designers create beautiful resting spaces in sunrooms, attics, and every additional space in between.

If you think it might be time to dust some boxes off the attic and finally start taking advantage of this space, get inspiration from this guest attic bedroom. 

Using a comfortable sofa that can quickly turn into a bed, we added a cute space for guests to spend the night and get some rest. The couch is even framed as a bed with nightstands and night lamps on the sides. A full-size dresser and an accent chair paired with a poof create a cute nook area to read a book, get ready in the morning, or just relax. 

Across the room, there’s a small office space with enough seating capacity for two. The slight change of tones and materials used on that side of the room creates a visual divider that lets guests unwind and relax. But, it’s still a highly productive workspace when it needs to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you decorate a guest bedroom?

Try to choose a scheme or theme that goes with the rest of the decor of your house. Keep things in the same color palette and start adding different decorative items that fit the theme. This is an easy trick to create a cohesive and beautiful space without spending too much time thinking about the details. 

How do I make my guest room more functional?

A guest room can be a highly functional space. Keep in mind the tips we shared above to make a guest bedroom more functional. Using murphy beds and day beds is excellent to convert an office or media room into a bedroom when needed. Try to use a small or rolling desk that’s not obtrusive, so you can quickly adapt the room for guests spending the night. Keep things simple and choose brilliant furniture that gives you more storage space and versatility. 

What should every guest bedroom have?

Even the smallest guest rooms should have space in the room or closet for clothing and luggage. A comfortable bed with pillows and bed covers and a small bedside table with a reading light are also essential. Then, think about the small details like having a visible wastebasket, convenient power outlets for phones, and other electronics.

Regardless of whether or not they have direct access to a bathroom, you should always add towels and basic toiletries to their room. Water bottles or drinking glasses are also another thoughtful addition to your guest bedroom.

Need More Ideas?

We’d love to help you maximize your guest room space! Connect with a Spacejoy designer to start your project today. You’ll receive unlimited access to one-on-one design advice and see your room in 3D. Our team of expert designers will help you make the most out of your guest bedroom- whether it is a small bedroom design or large.