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8 Design Ideas to Maximize Space in a Small Guest Room

Darria Deatherage • Nov 11, 2021

An extra room to host your friends and family whenever they're in town is an essential part of any home, especially during the holidays. More often than not, these guest rooms don't offer much in the way of space.

However, with a few tips and tricks, maximizing your guest bedroom's floor plan won't be as time-consuming or costly.

Downsize the bed to create more space
Remove any unnecessary items
Maximize storage with innovative furniture
Decorate with light colors to make the room feel bigger
Mirrors can make small rooms seem bigger
Keep the décor to a minimum
Wall space is your friend
Don't forget to add a cozy rug

Ready to impress your holiday guests this year with home organization skills that will make even Martha Stewart jealous? Continue reading to learn more!

Downsize The Bed to Create More Space

A king-size bed in a guest room is completely unnecessary unless you're hosting an actual king. Most people can get away with a queen-size bed. However, if you're really limited on space, Better Homes & Gardens says downsizing to a full-size bed may be the way to go. While much smaller than a queen, a full-size bed still offers plenty of sleeping space as well as opens up the room for other essential items.

Additionally, the placement of the bed is just as critical as its size. Instead of pushing it up against a corner, consider placing your bed in the center of a wall so that it opens up aisles on both sides. You might also try moving the bed as close to the wall as possible. Both of these tips will not only improve the flow of the room but also give off the impression of even more space.

Remove Any Unnecessary Items

Too much clutter ruins any sense of space. Knowing this, remove any items from your guest bedroom that don't need to be there. For example, if your guest room already has a closet, remove the bulky wardrobe taking up half of the room. Your guests more than likely won't require any extra storage, so they can make due with just the closet. The same rule also applies to unnecessary décor as well. If the décor doesn't fit the overall theme of the room, then remove it.

Maximize Storage with Innovative Furniture

In today's day and age, innovative furniture, or furniture that doubles as more than one thing, is more prevalent and affordable than ever, as HGTV points out. Use such furniture to maximize your guest bedroom's storage space. For instance, opting for a bed frame that offers pull-out drawers or storage cabinets on the bottom will help get rid of the need for a dresser.

Decorate with Light Colors to Make The Room Feel Bigger

Even just the color palette of your room can go a long way in making it feel much bigger. The color white, for example, is an expansive choice that is often practical for most small bedroom décor. Painting your guest bedroom walls white will keep the room from looking boxed in or too busy, effectively making it look bigger in the process. White and other lighter colors also better reflect light throughout the room, making the space feel more open.

One trick for incorporating color in your guest bedroom is to layer your white color scheme with different white-on-white patterns and textures. This can be accomplished by choosing a patterned throw and off-white fabric chair to offset the stark white walls. Doing this will take your all-white room from a sterile, "hospital" space to one that is stylish and full of personality.

Mirrors Can Make Small Rooms Seem Bigger

Similar to your color scheme, adding mirrors to your room can make the space feel much bigger. While mirrors accomplish this through illusion, it is quite effective, as Good Housekeeping points out. Try to add a big mirror in one corner of the room and a few smaller mirrors throughout. Don't overdo it though- this isn't a funhouse after all.

Also, the positioning of your mirrors is very important. You'll want to position them in such a way that they reflect light from a nearby window. If done correctly, the mirrors will each reflect this light and really brighten up the space.

Keep The Décor to a Minimum

It goes without saying that too much décor creates a busy, cluttered environment. While you do want to personalize the space to better reflect your home's personality, keep the décor to a minimum. If a particular decoration does not fit the room's overall theme, then get rid of it. You want your décor to intrigue your guests, not overwhelm them. This is especially true in rooms that don't already offer much in the way of space.

Wall Space is Your Friend

Walls serve as barriers to other rooms and the outside world. However, they can also double as vital storage space. Use them to hang beautiful artwork and wall decorations. You can also try using hooks to hang hats, coats, and other items outside of the closet. Additionally, free up your floor space by opting for a lamp you can hang from the wall or ceiling.

Don't Forget to Add a Cozy Rug

You want your guest bedroom to feel cozy and warm. The best way to accomplish this is by adding an area rug to the middle of the room. An area rug can instantly make cold, wooden floors feel much warmer. You'll want to play around with rug textures and patterns to find the right one that fits your room's overall theme and color scheme.

Conclusion

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be looking to upgrade your guest bedroom for accommodating friends and family. While most guest rooms don't offer much space, using the tips above will surely open up the room. Consider downsizing the bed and creating space around it. Incorporate innovative furniture, choose a light color scheme, keep décor to a minimum, and add a few mirrors to make the room feel bigger. Most importantly, don't forget to add a cozy rug to tie it all together. Happy holidays!