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How to Design a Guest Room/Office

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All the Comforts of "Your" Home

Create a cozy, cute, and comfortable guest room that you'll be proud to show off time and time again.

Find the best tips for designing, decorating, and organizing the perfect guest room that your friends and out-of-town family will love.

You'll also find ways to save space by combining your home office and guest room into a cute comfortable workspace that doubles as a guestroom for your out-of-town visitors.

Photo Credit

Your guest room design should not only be comfortable but also a little fun. Choose a theme that is personal to you and go from there. Pictured here, you can see that the owner of this home loves the outdoors because of their choice of fish pillows and bird lamps. What do you love that you can reflect in your guest room? Do you love old movies? Hang some great movie posters. Elvis? Decorate with your Elvis collectibles. Dreaming of going to Paris one day? Choose Parisian decor. The possibilities are endless!

The Easiest Way to Organize a Guest Room

Use a Hanging Shoe Organizer

Before overnight guests arrive be sure to stock your guest room with the special little extras most people desire such as; an extra pillow on the bed, a box of tissues, a wastebasket for trash and if you've got one extra, a television.

Keeping a few personal neccessities that someone might forget is also a good idea. A disposable razor, a new toothbrush, and travel sized deodorant are all good to have on hand. a great way to keep all of these little things organized in the guest room is to use a hanging shoe organizer in the closet.

Using a hanging shoe organizer makes it easy to keep all of the things an overnight guest might need all in one place. Use the different compartments to store things like, those new toothbrushes, clean towels, extra soap, hand cream, tissues, and even a light-weight extra blanket.

Having these things all in one handy place makes it easy for your guest to comfortably help themselves while keeping your guest room fully organized.

A Cozy Extra Blanket for the Guest Room

Keeping an an extra soft extra blanket like the one shown here will keep your overnighters comfy and cozy all night long without costing you a fortune.

Provide Bed Side Lighting

Be sure to provide some sort of bedside lighting so that your company doesn't have to go tripping in the dark to find the light switch in unfamiliar territory.
Choosing a lamp to match the theme of your room is a cute idea.

Make Them Feel Special

It's the little things that mean a lot and by adding a few simple pleasures your guests will feel more than welcome in your home.
A scented flameless candle or a nightlight might be just the thing!

The Guest Room / Office

Many people simply don't have the extra room in their homes to set up a special guestroom and an office so they opt for a guestroom/office.

A guestroom/office can be decorated either in a cute style or made to look more professional. In either case you won't want a traditional bed in this room.

If you have the extra money, a pull out bed is the perfect answer. By day, it looks like a couch or a love seat and by night, it turns into an extra bed. A futon is your next best bet. Futons are less expensive, and maybe a bit less comfortable than a pull out bed but they do work well in a pinch.

But a bed isn't really enough to make your office into a comfortable guestroom. You will still need to supply the finishing touches such as blankets, pillows, and a place to put your guests belongings.

You can save space in the office closet for this or else a nice looking trunk/table might be the answer for your guest room storage needs. It can hold your guest room blankets and pillows while working as a coffee table by day and then be moved to the side of your pulled-out bed or open futon where it will act as a night table.

Home Office Furniture

Home Office Centers that look GREAT

Winslow Computer Writing Desk - 32.25"Hx49"W, Red
Winslow Computer/Writing Desk - Beautiful Cabriole Legs And A Rich, Lustrous Finish Give The Winslow Writing Desk A Look Of Sophistication. Drawer And Surface Space Allow You Enough Room For Your Computer And Office Supplies. Bring An Antique Look Into Your Home Office Today; Order This Handcrafted Computer Desk.Exquisite Details Add A Look Of Elegance.Features A Keyboard Tray And 4 Drawers For Storage.

Winslow Computer Writing Desk - 32.25"Hx49"W, Red

Find More Here

Beautiful Home Office Desk

This beautiful home office desk is the perfect choice for decorating a guest room office combination.

Coaster Trestle Style Office Desk Table, Black Wood Finish

Amazon Price: $422.27 (as of 02/16/2012)

Trestle Style Black Finish Wood Office Desk Table. This is a brand new trestle style office desk in a black finish, features large working area and four open storage shelves below. Item is designed for convenient and useful in any home, office, apartment or dorm setting. Item may require simple assembly. Dimensions: 64"L x 30"W x 29"H

A Futon for Your Guestroom/Office

Futons are an affordable option for creating a comfortable guestroom.

Today's futons come in a wide range of styles and colors to match every decor style. Choose from simple metal frames or more sophisticated wooden frames.

These also work great when used in a kid's room to accomodate overnight visits with friends.

Trunk End Table

Furniture for a combo guest room office

A trunk end table provides additional storage and looks GREAT!

SEI Espresso Pyramid Trunk End Table

Amazon Price: $107.40 (as of 02/16/2012)

Handsome end table doubles as a versatile and spacious storage trunk
Sturdy, engineered-wood construction with espresso pine-veneer surface
Black-metal storage clasp and side handles offer easy access and transportation
Short legs and clean, classic silhouette; some assembly required
Measures 20 inches deep by 20 inches wide by 23-3/4 inches tall

The Guest Bathroom

In addition to supplying your guests with a comfortable bed, you will also need to be sure that the bathroom they will be using is equipt with extra towels, wash cloths, and maybe a few personal neccessities such as an extra toothbrush and a new comb.

Be sure to have a can of air freshener, and a supply of paper goods that are within reach to add to your guest's comfort.

It's also a good idea to keep a roll of paper towels and a spray bottle of bathroom cleaner in the cabinet beneath the sink so that your guests can easily tidy up when they are finished.

Add a Special Treat to the Guest Bathroom

Luxury soaps in fragrant scents will make anyone feel like royalty.

The Kappus soaps have been manufactured with the highest quality vegetable based soap. Kappus products are not tested on animals, are 100% biodegradable and are non - aggressive and hypoallergenic to most types of skin.

Instant Guest Room Anywhere

Air Bed Matresses

For an instant guestroom anywhere, keep an air bed on hand. Air beds are in fact very comfortable, affordable, easy to store and come in many styles and sizes.

Take a look at these.

A Television for the Guest Room

Although it's not a neccessity having a small television in the guest room truly shows that you care about your guests comfort. Any of the choices listed here would work well in a guestroom. They aren't too big to fit on a dresser and they aren't too small for your guests to comfortably watch. Click on any of the product links to learn more or to purchase one of these TV sets from Amazon.com

Recommended Guest Room Decorating Resources

Take a look at any one of these great books for more decorating help and ideas.

More Guest Room Design Help

Helpful links to help you find more guest room decorating tips and ideas online.

Guest room, Guest Room Interior Design Photos - getdecorating.com: The largest collection of interior design and decorating ideas online, including kitchens and bathrooms. Over 17,000 professional photos of homes and apartments; plus articles, resources, stories and photo albums from the Getdecorating community. Gather ideas for window treatment, choose a furniture
Guest bedroom design and decorating: Home decorating tips and ideas. Your resource for design and decor for your house and yard.
Put Together A 5-Star Guest room - by Cheryl Wright: Here are 11 important ingredients for achieving a 5-star guest room with a style and elegance that says, Welcome...even if you are operating on a small budget.
Interior Design Book: Creating Great Guest Rooms: Interior design book for decorating your home's guest room. Interior decorating book for your home.
Decorating : Office / Workspace : Masculine Office/Guest Room : Home & Garden Television: An office/guest room is now user-friendly with a masculine club room style.
Christine's Concepts In Design - Guest Room Portfolio: Guest Room design
Decorating - Room by Room: Change the look of your home room by room with this great decorating guide for each room in the house
5 Things Every Guest Room Needs Step by Step - Kelly Edwards - GMC Trade Secrets - AOL Living: 5 Things Every Guest Room Needs
Clever Office: Unexpected Space - Martha Stewart Home & Garden: Read Martha Stewart's Clever Office: Unexpected Space article. Get do-it-yourself closet, kitchen, cabinet organization ideas, plus home decorating and gardening tips.

Home Decorators

Quality at Affordable Prices

If you've got a moment I suggest you take a look at what is being offered for you home office/ guestroom combination at Home Decorators Collection. I've bought several pieces from this company and have been completely satified with their quality goods and service.

Guest Room Design Reader Feedback

Thank you for visiting!

How do you make your over night guests feel welcome?

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WriterJanis Feb 16, 2012 @ 1:53 am | delete

I so want the zebra chair.

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JZinoBodyArt Feb 13, 2012 @ 7:51 pm | delete

I may be decorating a new home soon! So this is definitely going in the bookmarks. Great ideas!

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lhauri Feb 13, 2012 @ 10:11 am | delete

it is an interesting and modern approach. I am really impressed! You made a great job! Mallorca property

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GeniePark Feb 10, 2012 @ 11:35 am | delete

I also turn our guest room in to handy office. We have sleep overs maybe couple times a year. so it would be total waste of space if we wouldn't use it for something else too.

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EdwardCarr Feb 10, 2012 @ 11:15 am | delete

These are great ideas on how to combine an office and a guest room. You're exactly right. Most people don't have the space to just have a guest room and an office separately. Thanks for all the great ideas on how to have both.

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girlfriendfactory Feb 9, 2012 @ 10:08 pm | delete

Great ideas and worthy of a Flyby Winging and it can be found among the other blessed lenses for today at Have Wings Will Bless! When I need to redecorate, I know where I'm going for ideas! I love those filing cabinets! ~Ren

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Truorder Feb 6, 2012 @ 7:33 am | delete

Thanks for the great ideas.

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navalava Feb 3, 2012 @ 1:53 pm | delete

Great lens! I like the ideas! Thank you.

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intermarks Feb 2, 2012 @ 4:28 am | delete

Very nice furniture, I like the fully wood made cabinet. They look solid and elegant. Thank for sharing.

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EditorDave Jan 30, 2012 @ 11:19 pm | delete

Very nice! Now that our kids have finally moved out, we've converted my son's old room into our "Blue-Hawaii Tropical Room" ... with blue walls, a futon couch/bed, a desk, an easyboy recliner chair, with a tan carpet. Accents include a bamboo ladder that holds extra towels and bankets for our guests, bedspread with a "tapa-cloth look" that matches the colors of the carpet and walls and other room accents, some carved tikis and tiki mugs from one of our Hawaiian vacations, some shells from a shell collection, and a framed photo/poster of a scene I captured when we were in Hawaii. The room also doubles as my "office" when I'm working from home. (It's like working from a "vacation home" -- and we have friends from Guam who enjoy that room when they visit us!) Congratulations on a Squidoo masterpiece!

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wild_angel Jan 30, 2012 @ 10:28 am | delete

waw... it's very nice lens. good work

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StacyBirch Jan 29, 2012 @ 7:59 pm | delete

It's not ideal to live with an office in your bedroom, but some people who work at home have no choice. Love those file cabinets and the hideaway desk, good lens,

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Petstrel Jan 29, 2012 @ 11:13 am | delete

I'm currently decorating a small guest room so some of your suggestions come very handy. Squidliked it ;)

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Beaddoodler Jan 29, 2012 @ 8:47 am | delete

Wonderful ideas for creating dual use space, especially in a small home!

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canoz Jan 27, 2012 @ 10:31 pm | delete

I like the lovely computer hutch idea... it might even work now that I have a laptop to work on (if my computer room was being used by guests). Space is always a premium especially with an international marriage... when visitors arrive they usually stay an extended time. You've thought of everything to make a guest feel very welcome!

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mistyblue75605 Jan 26, 2012 @ 10:39 pm | delete

hmm, not bad at all a few of these pieces! Now just gota get the money and a room built!! lol :)

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bloomingrose Jan 25, 2012 @ 1:04 pm | delete

My son is going to major in industrial design - mostly because he is gifted in it, but also partially because I am so bad at anything related to design. I am currently reading as much as I can on this, because I want to learn more and make our house nicer. Thanks for the info.

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LornsA178 Jan 23, 2012 @ 7:50 pm | delete

Gives me a lot of ideas to be used in our guest/office room. Thanks!

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pearltower Jan 23, 2012 @ 4:07 pm | delete

I like the simplicity one, a little less old fashioned than the rest.

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Jennifer_Glennon Jan 12, 2012 @ 8:01 pm | delete

These are great ideas for a guest room.

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SquidooPower Jan 6, 2012 @ 10:45 am | delete

I'd never given it much thought but this is a very cool idea for a lens.

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JackieSonia Jan 1, 2012 @ 8:59 pm | delete

Very good lens! I have a small breezeway which is being used as a storage room at the moment. I have envisioned decorating it and making it into a small guestroom. Good ideas and info. here. Thanks

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IrmaRL Dec 31, 2011 @ 3:38 pm | delete

Nice lens and useful tips. The office centers are really stylish.

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missericaleigh Dec 31, 2011 @ 3:39 am | delete

I liked the simplicity at its finest desk and chair combo. But didn't see any available. Where can I find it at? Or something like it? I absolutely love the desk and chair

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skiesgreen Dec 29, 2011 @ 10:51 pm | delete

About to redesign my study so this was a good wake up call. Nice lens, hugs

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WaynesWorld Dec 27, 2011 @ 10:37 pm | delete

My parents were always having overnite guests unexpectedly and planned. 5 kids and their spouses and grandchildren can really put a 3 bedroom house to the test but with the kids extra blankets and sleeping bags did the trick. A hide-a-bed sofa helped but remember Elain from Seinfeld? My parents had that same hideabed sofa with the bar in the back. ===
I heard one person that had a great idea, guest box filled with things guests might not have with them or might forget; toothpaste, toothbrush, make up remover and pads, etc. (That reminds me, sometimes I tell my buddies that I had two nuns in my bed... I was away at college and my parents put two nuns, that had slid into the ditch, up for the night.
'''
Great idea for a lens.

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NickyT Dec 22, 2011 @ 1:43 pm | delete

Been dreaming for a long time about having a custom designed office/work area. Someday ;)

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Buchamar Dec 12, 2011 @ 11:03 am | delete

I love the trunk style filing cabinet!

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Netlexis Dec 11, 2011 @ 10:17 pm | delete

Lots of great ideas. Looks like you didn't leave anything out! Thanks.

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jimmyworldstar Dec 8, 2011 @ 12:12 pm | delete

The way I see it, decorate a guest room like a hotel room. Some pleasant landscape or animal pictures, fresh pillows and comforters, a small desk, television, and bathroom essentials.

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seedplanter Dec 3, 2011 @ 11:12 pm | delete

This is such a well-organized lens! I know it's a huge undertaking to create a space for guests that says "Welcome!" I really like your simple ideas (knowing that we don't all have lots of $$ these days), such as using a hanging shoe rack for toiletries, etc. What a good idea!

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DesignZeal Nov 29, 2011 @ 2:28 pm | delete

The home office centers are incredibly beautiful and ideal for the home office and a guest room.

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seosmm Nov 27, 2011 @ 8:55 pm | delete

Very nice lens!

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TheGourmetCoffeeGuy Nov 27, 2011 @ 1:31 am | delete

Good lens with practical advice and good ideas. Thank you for sharing!

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markettrol Nov 25, 2011 @ 10:41 pm | delete

We have an extra bedroom, with a bed and all the junk you can think of......extra baby items, stuffed animals, tv, and no room to walk!.....I really need to

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LiliLove Nov 22, 2011 @ 8:28 pm | delete

Great lens! So much great ideas. I love it! Thanks for sharing :).

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cffutah Nov 19, 2011 @ 2:29 pm | delete

enjoyed my visit, thank you.

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goo2eyes Nov 17, 2011 @ 12:48 pm | delete

make sure that the room is properly ventilated or heated. a comfy bed, clean sheets and new pillows/cases (or newly washed) should be provided. then your guests will have a good night sleep. light some fragrant candles to neutralize the smell inside the room.

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Nov 16, 2011 @ 7:50 am | delete

Fold up and hideaway desks are a great way to reduce space you are using if you only have limited office space. Some can look really smart too.

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Pennyseeker Nov 15, 2011 @ 3:12 pm | delete

Interesting lens!

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miaponzo Nov 11, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete

Thanks so much for doing this lens! Such great interior tips! Blessed!

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carpenterslondon Nov 10, 2011 @ 8:00 am | delete

design is perception

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carpenterslondon Nov 10, 2011 @ 7:58 am | delete

its all about taste in design

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flycatcher Nov 9, 2011 @ 8:07 pm | delete

Great ideas here! I really like the alternative furniture for file storage - that's always a dead giveaway that your guest room is really a home office, to have an ugly old file cabinet stuck in a corner, and I always think that guests feel much more at home if they don't feel they're getting in the way of a room's primary purpose.

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Close2Art Nov 4, 2011 @ 8:40 pm | delete

Great lens, it's good to have the options of larger or smaller desks depending on how much space you have to work with, blessed...:)rob

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BennyE Nov 2, 2011 @ 10:12 pm | delete

Neat!

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GinnyCrandall Nov 1, 2011 @ 10:10 am | delete

I absolutely LOVE the black desk/chair combo! I'm planning on working from home after I have my first child early next year, and I would love to make this my work desk. It matches my round ottoman perfectly. Can you tell me the best place to get it?