Multi-Functioning Spare Bedrooms That Tick All the Boxes
Make your spare room work harder by transforming it into a multi-tasker that caters for you and your overnight guests
If you’re fortunate enough to have a spare bedroom, don’t let it gather dust waiting for your next overnight visitor. Instead, turn it into a multi-purpose room that can be utilised by all the family. With some hard-working storage solutions and nifty styling tricks, you can have a bedroom that moonlights as practical space by day, while easily transforming back into a restful retreat at night. Follow these easy tips and you’ll get the most from this valuable space.
Shut away the day
Or, if you’d prefer a desk area that remains set up, think about fitting it into an alcove and adding folding concertina doors to hide it away. Then you can transform the space into a peaceful haven for impromptu guests at the drop of a hat, while your desk chair becomes a handy spot for overnight bags.
Or, if you’d prefer a desk area that remains set up, think about fitting it into an alcove and adding folding concertina doors to hide it away. Then you can transform the space into a peaceful haven for impromptu guests at the drop of a hat, while your desk chair becomes a handy spot for overnight bags.
Reserve one end as a media space
Kids and adults alike will love a separate media space away from the main living area, for playing games or catching up on their binge watching, so why not try dedicating a spot in the spare bedroom? Guests may also like to use this area for alone time too, particularly if they are staying for a while.
How to Squeeze Guest Space Into Any Room
Kids and adults alike will love a separate media space away from the main living area, for playing games or catching up on their binge watching, so why not try dedicating a spot in the spare bedroom? Guests may also like to use this area for alone time too, particularly if they are staying for a while.
How to Squeeze Guest Space Into Any Room
Create a dual-purpose bed
Don’t want the bed to actually look like a bed? Then turn it into a sofa-like seat with an abundance of cushions. Style the cushions to sit along the wall for a comfy back rest and then either store away the pillows or simply hide them behind the cushions to create more support. A tightly tucked doona will also help to make it look less like a bed and more like a bench seat.
Styling tip: Cover the bed in a throw that mimics a sofa fabric, such as velvet or linen.
Don’t want the bed to actually look like a bed? Then turn it into a sofa-like seat with an abundance of cushions. Style the cushions to sit along the wall for a comfy back rest and then either store away the pillows or simply hide them behind the cushions to create more support. A tightly tucked doona will also help to make it look less like a bed and more like a bench seat.
Styling tip: Cover the bed in a throw that mimics a sofa fabric, such as velvet or linen.
Make every spare centimetre work for you
Save the minimal styling for the master bedroom and use the spare room as a space to display books or collections. If you don’t need extra wardrobe storage, fit wall-to-wall shelving instead so you can keep all your busy clutter in the occasional room. What’s more, you’ll provide plenty of reading material for your guests.
Save the minimal styling for the master bedroom and use the spare room as a space to display books or collections. If you don’t need extra wardrobe storage, fit wall-to-wall shelving instead so you can keep all your busy clutter in the occasional room. What’s more, you’ll provide plenty of reading material for your guests.
Double it up as a playroom
A comfortable sofa bed will turn the room into an extremely handy second reception, which you can utilise for an assortment of activities, such as a playroom. High shelves will keep toys and other clutter away from the sight of guests, while slim open shelves either side of the sofa can also double as bedside storage for visitors. Consider adding a trunk as coffee table where you can also store bedding.
A comfortable sofa bed will turn the room into an extremely handy second reception, which you can utilise for an assortment of activities, such as a playroom. High shelves will keep toys and other clutter away from the sight of guests, while slim open shelves either side of the sofa can also double as bedside storage for visitors. Consider adding a trunk as coffee table where you can also store bedding.
Take advantage of this storage haven
If large wardrobes either side of the bed don’t appeal in your minimal master bedroom, add them to the guest space and you’ll double your storage without loosing the tranquillity in your own retreat. Wall lights fitted to the sides of the wardrobes will keep the bedroom intimate and guest-ready, while a bright white scheme ensures the space is calm and inviting at all times.
Wake Up to 9 Smart Over-Bed Storage Ideas
If large wardrobes either side of the bed don’t appeal in your minimal master bedroom, add them to the guest space and you’ll double your storage without loosing the tranquillity in your own retreat. Wall lights fitted to the sides of the wardrobes will keep the bedroom intimate and guest-ready, while a bright white scheme ensures the space is calm and inviting at all times.
Wake Up to 9 Smart Over-Bed Storage Ideas
Consider purpose-built furniture
If your spare bedroom is on the small side and conventional pieces won’t fit, consider bespoke options that will optimise any awkward spaces such as sloping walls or angled ceilings. This can make all the difference between a haphazard room that’s useless and a practical, multi-purpose space that benefits your family home.
Tell us
How have you super-sized your spare bedroom to make it work for you and your family? Share your ideas in the comments below. And don’t forget to like or bookmark this story and save your favourite images.
More
See more compact bedroom ideas
If your spare bedroom is on the small side and conventional pieces won’t fit, consider bespoke options that will optimise any awkward spaces such as sloping walls or angled ceilings. This can make all the difference between a haphazard room that’s useless and a practical, multi-purpose space that benefits your family home.
Tell us
How have you super-sized your spare bedroom to make it work for you and your family? Share your ideas in the comments below. And don’t forget to like or bookmark this story and save your favourite images.
More
See more compact bedroom ideas
If you’re tight on space, push the bed against one wall to free up enough room for a largish bedside table that can double as a desk. Choose a few key accessories that will remain on the table day and night, such as a lamp, candle and trinket tray, but be sure to have hidden storage that you can clear your laptop and paperwork into – a couple of drawers or shelves below the desk will do the trick. A light-weight cork noticeboard is also a good idea, as it can be easily lifted off and popped into a wardrobe or cupboard when you you want to hide your busy day away.
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