Hey, friends! If you follow me on Instagram then you know that one of our guest bedrooms is next on the makeover list. I know what you’re thinking and YES, we’re STILL working on the upstairs hallway. BUT, I just can’t help myself. Today, I’m sharing a look at what our guest bedroom currently looks like, updates we’ve made in the space, and the goals we have for the room.
Guest bedroom
To me, our guest bedroom feels like one of those low hanging fruit projects. You know the type. No major construction needed. Just a few updates to really make it come together and feel complete.
The bones are there and the structure of the space is good, it’s the design that’s less than desirable. It’s been neglected for far too long and it’s time to transform it into the cozy little beaut I know it can be.
Before
We moved into our 4 bedroom home 10 years ago this month. We had a couple of weeks to paint and remove carpet before we officially moved in which made things easier.
This room is the smallest of our 4 bedrooms and faces west looking out to the park. When we moved in, it was just an empty, white room that didn’t need much work. We gave it a fresh coat of white paint and called it “good” for the time being.
The room has hardwood floors that are in ok shape but need to be refinished someday with the rest of the floors in our home. It’s square in shape with a small bump-out in one of the corners of the room. This cubby conceals the access to our attic and I use it for extra storage space.
Mike wants to remove this cubby but I’m not sure it’s worth the effort. This isn’t our forever home and I quite like the little nook it creates. Perfect for tucking the bed and nightstand into.
Updates We’ve made so far
About 7 years ago we decided to give the room a bit more character and personality. We have family that comes to stay with us multiple times a year for a week or more at a time. So, having comfortable guest rooms to accommodate them is important to us.
My sister was the inspiration for the design plan I had for this room. This is the room she would use whenever she was in town and it became known as her room. My sister is 12 years younger than me and I wanted something that was a bit fun, girly, and playful.
I love blush pink and mossy green together and decided to go with this as my color pallet for the room. I mixed in different shades of each and a bit of blue as the unifying thread to tie the room in with the rest of the house.
To give the room character we swapped out the smaller base for a larger, more substantial one. We also created a feature wall in the nook and added board and batten wall moulding to the wall. It highlights the small nook and acts as a beautiful backdrop for the bed.
I loved the idea of having a spot for display and to style accessories and art in the room. So, we added a mantle on top of the wall moulding allowing us to inject some personality into the space. It’s one of my favorite spots to style around the holidays!
We also added a closet system to the small closet to give it better functionality. There’s space for hanging on one side and shelves on the other. It holds some seasonal items and my gift wrapping supplies while still allowing for plenty of space for my sister to unpack.
I would say I executed about 50% of my design in the space and then kinda just let it go. It wasn’t translating exactly how I wanted it too. I never really found bedding or pillows I loved. Also, the furniture was still a hodgepodge mix of what we had from our apartment days. Place holders until the right pieces were found.
Goals for our guest bedroom
With this update, I’m hoping to create a cozy and inviting space. I want a room that speaks more to my style and design aesthetic. Something that feels like a mix between a bespoke boutique hotel room and a traditional English country home. I also want to elevate the look of the room with a layered design that’s charming and filled with loads of character.
To accomplish this I’ll focus on the bed and the walls. Mixing patterns and textures to create that layered look I’m after. One that brings style and interest to the space. I want the room to feel like home but also feel special to spoil our guests.
Carpet is another item on my wish list. It would help with noise control and add some privacy. We have hardwood floors throughout our home and the sound is amplified and carries throughout the house. Carpet would also help make it feel cozy and inviting and add some texture to the room.
I would like to add crown to finish off the space. We never got around to it when we swapped out the base and added the wall moulding. Now’s the perfect time to add it to help complete the room.
I also want to address the door to the cubby and try to conceal or hide it in some way. Similar to the hidden storage idea we’re trying to do with the linen closet in the hallway.
Speaking of doors, the closet door needs some updating as well. I’d like to swap out the door for a style that works with the design scheme or paint it at the very least to blend in with the walls.
Finally, I have a love-hate relationship with ceiling fans. I like to have them in bedrooms to help circulate the air and regulate the temp and also provide white noise for sleeping. It’s hard to find one though that’s a good combination of beautiful blades and light fixture. I’ve considered removing it and having a freestanding fan for guests to use but I’ve not made up my mind just yet.
Guest bedroom Update
There you have it. A look at the current state of our guest bedroom, a list of the updates we’ve already made in the space, and the goals we have for the design of the room.
Wish me luck as I start to narrow down the design and hunt for finishes for the space. I’m sure I’m gunna need it!
Do you have guest bedrooms in your home? What, in your opinion makes a great guest room?
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