A spare room is a wonderful thing to have in a house.
However, with many people living and working in their homes, it’s nice to be able to use the space for living as well, whether that means adding a workspace or giving the kids a little extra room for their toys.
How can you make more room in a spare room and really utilize it to its highest capacity?
1. Choose a space-saving bed.
Let’s face it – the bed takes up the greatest amount of real estate within any sleeping area. If you are using your spare room only occasionally when family members or friends come to visit, that bed could be converted to space that is more functional for you and your family in the meantime.
Making a change can free up space and make your home more functional, but you still have the challenge of ensuring your guests get a comfortable night’s sleep when they come to visit. That means your space-saving bed needs to work for them too, providing a high level of comfort along with its functionality.
A fold-up sofa bed or futon might leave them aching and with the imprint of a bar in their back after a night’s rest. Instead, consider a Murphy bed as a useful, attractive, comfortable and functional space-saving option for a guestroom. Why?
- A Murphy bed’s cabinetry looks sleek and elegant when it’s folded away.
- It opens up a wealth of floor space that you can use for a children’s play area or a workout nook while your guestroom is unoccupied.
- Its mattresses are full-sized, don’t fold up and are designed for maximum comfort and durability. They’re specifically engineered to stay comfortable while they spend most of their “life” hanging vertically!
Depending on the style of Murphy bed you choose, you may be able to add even more versatility to your space. For example, one new bed option includes a leveling desk attachment so your space could do triple duty.
You also have the option of installing a library bed, which hides the Murphy bed mechanism behind shelving unites, so you can expand your capability to display objects are photographs and more in your guest bedroom.
2. Move your dresser to the closet.
In “The Life-Saving Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo points out that many people in Japan keep their dresser in their closet rather than in the open area of the room. By doing so, they are able to keep their living spaces less cluttered and expand the available floor area they can use during the day for other things.
If you relocate your guest room dresser to the closet, you may give yourself a little extra space. You might even be able to fit a desk or a piece of fitness equipment in the space where the dresser once resided.
This approach can work particularly well in a guest room because your guests probably won’t use a dresser frequently. In fact, after relocating it to the closet, you might just realize you don’t need it at all!
3. Add a drop-down desk.
If you’re working from home, you may have a small desk set up somewhere in your home. However, it can feel cluttered to include an actively used desk in a spare room. It could also feel a bit invasive if your desk papers and computer are out whenever guests arrive on the scene.
A drop-down desk may suit your needs because it can expand to a full-size work surface, then folds away neatly to provide a space for your computer and a small storage nook when not in use.
A drop-down desk can also be used for more than conducting business. Several of our clients have installed drop-down desks as sewing stations and craft areas, using the cabinet storage space to keep a sewing machine or a collection of project supplies.
4. Update your closet.
Your spare room closet can become an underutilized space because you don’t want to crowd it with your own possessions while others are inhabiting the bedroom area.
However, adding some custom closet shelving within the closet space can be very useful both for you and your guests. For example, guest room closets often become an area for seasonal storage. Why not install some custom closet shelving to store your delicate holiday ornaments and decorations, instead of stacking them on the floor and taking up more space than you might intend?
Multiple closet racks might also be beneficial, as you could hang your out-of-season attire in the space while also leaving room for guests to unpack and hang their items.
And, simple closet accessories like a fold-out ironing board can save space for you while you’re leading your normal life, as well as make things more accessible for your guests when they are visiting.
5. Add custom cabinetry.
What else do you typically keep in a guestroom? Many people may use this space to keep items they don’t need to access daily. While it can be convenient to have a little extra room to stash those items, it can also mean a mad dash to clean and tidy up when your guests announce they’re on their way.
Adding some additional shelving or cabinetry can make the tidying and prep process a little easier and can give you a better option for storage, including:
- Open shelving for books and artistic objects
- Closed cabinets for storing board games and kids’ items
- A media center that can hold anything your guests might need, like a TV, a small refrigerator for beverages and more
Your guest room should feel like a comforting oasis for people while they’re visiting, and it should also be functional and serviceable for you the rest of the time.
If you’re looking for the best way to make more room in a spare room, we have plenty of ideas and options available in our design showroom. Visit us and let’s discuss ways to customize your spare room and give you the space you need!
