10 ways to create a guest room out of thin air
Think outside the box with these 10 clever guest accommodation ideas
Think you don’t have space to accommodate overnight guests? Think again! We’re here to help you make your home work harder for you – and those who come to stay. We’ve pulled together 10 savvy ways to squeeze a guest space into your home, from sleep zones hidden behind curtains to clever storage solutions that are a desk by day and bed by night. Intrigued? Read on for our top 10 ideas below.
1. GO FOR A MULTIFUNCTIONAL BED
When choosing a bed for your child, consider investing in a day bed or pop-up trundle bed that stores neatly under the main bed frame but, when opened up, elevates to the same height as the main bed. They’re great for kids of all ages and perfect for slumber parties! Just make sure there’s enough floor space to accommodate the extra bed when pulled out. We love the Copella White Wooden Day Bed with Guest Bed from Happy Beds.
2. ADD A ROOM DIVIDER
If you want to section off an area of your home office for guests, think about adding a room divider. There are plenty of ideas for all budgets from simple fold-away screens like the Marlo Room Divider from Dunelm that’s sure to add a splash of colour to your room setup, to a more semi-permanent structure with storage built in such as Ikea’s Elvarli unit. If you opt for a divider with storage, you can style it with plants, accessories and lighting to add character and warmth to the space, with space to stash spare bed linen, towels and clothes below.
3. OPT FOR A SOFA BED
Historically sofa beds have provided neither a comfortable seating or relaxing sleep surface, with them either being too firm, squeaky or unyielding. Thankfully, bed companies have taken note and are producing more relaxing options that are also aesthetically pleasing – look for designs with good-quality mechanisms, a nice plump mattress that’s at least a double rather than a 4ft. Co-editor Charlotte has the petite Norbury sofa from Darlings of Chelsea that’s only 160cm wide but still has a decent double bed tucked within (the grandparents approve!)
4. INVEST IN A MURPHY BED
A Murphy bed (also known as a wall bed), that transforms from a bank of storage units during the day to a pull-out bed at night is a great solution for those of us who don’t have a bedroom to spare. There’s lots of customisable options on the market to choose from, with desks, side tables and shelving configurations. The only downside is they’re not cheap – Wayfair is currently selling the Asbed double Murphy bed with open-shelving from £979.99 (not including a mattress or assembly). But if you want to hide away the bed when not in use, it’s certainly worth the investment!
5. CURTAIN OFF A SLEEP ZONE
Divide and conquer by creating a little privacy for guests sleeping in a communal area by cordoning off a cosy sleeping corner with curtains. They’re simple to install and far less of a commitment than a built-in divider. What’s more, they can help soften a room, as well as add colour and interest.
6. BUILD A MEZZANINE LEVEL
If you’re blessed with super high ceilings, adding a mezzanine level is a great way to create additional sleeping accommodation longer term while also adding an interesting architectural feature. Make sure there’s enough head height available (4.2m is the minimum ceiling height to allow you to create an extra room and have a functioning space below it); you don’t want your guests to be hitting their heads every time they go to sleep. Plus, take some steps to secure privacy, such as adding a slatted screen, which will still allow natural light into the space.
7. BUY A BED IN A BOX
We love a piece of multifunctional furniture, especially when space is at a premium. Stylish and quick to transform from a footstool is a bed in a box. For shopping ideas, we suggest looking at the Loaf flip flop guest bed or the Cloud Sundae footstool from Snug (pictured above). Both are ideal for little guests and impromptu sleepovers. You could also add a clever folding wardrobe as a temporary solution for guests that will also double up as a nightstand.
8. MAKE USE OF EVERY NOOK & CRANNY
Now we’re not suggesting you go all Harry Potter on us and hide guests under the staircase. But… have you considered every nook and cranny in your home? Wide hallways, window seats and even hallway landings could potentially be enough space for a small bed. Use a screen or add a curtain to zone the space and create privacy like in the ideas above.
9. PLAN A GARDEN ANNEXE
Having guests to sleep over is great in theory, but add in the stresses of hosting large numbers and constantly making and putting away fold-up beds, and you might want to consider creating guest accommodation in the garden, especially if you host guests regularly or for longer periods. As long as you’re not planning to use the space as permanent living accommodation, you won’t need planning permission to build one. Visit the Planning Portal for more advice.
10. CONSIDER BUNK BED
Practical and convenient, bunk beds are the ultimate space-saving solution for small bedroom spaces. They also bring about a sense of fun for young children, especially the idea of climbing up ladders and sleeping on top or underneath a sibling or friend! Check out our sleep feature, which provides essential advice on buying bunk beds.
And, while typically just for kids, there’s no reason why you can’t offer adult guests a bunk bed guest space. We’ve seen lots of bespoke configurations over on Instagram of late. Such as doubles on top and bottom, or double on bottom and single on top. They’re perfect for families or out-of-town adult guests who don’t mind bunking up together!
Have to say I do like the idea of a curtained off area, but only if it’s got that luxe four-poster-esque feel. And wouldn’t mind hiding away in that curtained off nook for a day or two (I can dream!)