Do you have a guest room that is just sitting there, unused most of the time? Or perhaps you live in a modern apartment where a separate space for every purpose is often something to desire? If yes, then perhaps you should consider making your home more functional. A guest room, for instance, can perfectly double as a home office—and there are many different ways to do it right. Stay with us cause we will discuss the best guest bedroom/office ideas in this blog post.
Elementary Guest Bedroom/Office Combo Ideas to Start With
A home office in a guest room can save a lot of valuable space in your dwelling. At the same time, it awards you with enough privacy to get all your work done. And to maximize its benefits, all you have to do is ask yourself the right questions—so let’s start with the crucial ones.
The Ideal Office Guest Room Layout
The absolute first thing you’ll need to do is decide on the layout. The question is, what kind of room are you going to use for this purpose? Is it an existing guest room that you want to upgrade or a completely blank canvas to work on? Do you need a single or king bed? How much floor space do you have available; is it ample enough for a full, comfortable setup, or you’d be better of with creative, multifunctional furniture solutions?
Once you answer these questions, decide if you wish to blend everything into one cohesive whole or keep the areas visually separated. The first option might be slightly more demanding regarding the furniture design choices. On the other hand, the idea of visual separation requires proper barriers and a more thoughtful arrangement to bring maximum benefits.
The Furniture Selection
Speaking of the furniture, think about its purpose(s). In a home office, the essential items are a desk and a comfortable chair, ideally ergonomic. Next, you’ll want to ensure that you have sufficient storage for all your supplies. If the floor space is at a premium, you can always opt for a smaller work surface or even just a sleek laptop stand.
What the guest room side needs is, above all, the bed. Even if it seems at this moment that you just can’t fit it all in the same space, don’t worry; the options are high. In other words, when the floor is tight, think vertically. Consider practical solutions such as a pull-out bed, a wall bed, or a Murphy bed. Various bed designs also come with high frames and hidden storage below, very handy for both your needs and those of your guests.
Office/Guest Room Lighting
The third important thing to consider is the lighting. You’ll want to make sure that your home office has plenty of natural light, so put your focus on that side, even if it requires some compromising. Think this way: a guest room is in use occasionally, and its key function is to provide nighttime rest. On the other hand, a home office is typically in frequent use, and more or less during the daytime.
If you don’t have enough windows, no worries, you can always opt for a skylight, or desk and floor lamps. Just ensure that you have enough light to see what you’re doing.
Once you have the furniture sorted out, the decor will virtually solve itself.
Ideas for a Desk in a Guest Bedroom/Office Combo
When it comes to desks, there is plenty of space for creativity. Still, keep in mind that standard desk dimensions are 20x30x30 inches (50x76x76cm). You can work your way around these a bit, but it’s best to stick to the recommended height for optimal ergonomy and comfort.
Now, what can you do about a desk in an office/guest room to get the most out of the available space? There are quite a few handy ideas. A desk can double as a vanity table, for example. Or, a wide console table can double as a desk. That, in the simplest order of things, means you only need to move your laptop away and replace it with a few pieces of decor to change the room atmosphere completely.
Guest Room Office Ideas for Storage
If you want to create a home office that seamlessly translates into a guest room, you’ll need to be creative with your storage. One great way to do this is by using a bookshelf as a divider between the two areas. This way, you can have your office supplies on one side and your guest room essentials on the other.
A conveniently designed room screen can serve a similar purpose. It will also let you hang your office accessories around and above the desk without disturbing the visual harmony of the bedroom part. You can even consider a bed with a back and a canopy for an enhanced sense of privacy in the “guest side” of the room.
You can also use a filing cabinet to create a makeshift desk or even repurpose an old dresser. Enhance those with pretty boxes and storage baskets to keep everything neat and organized.
Small Guest Bedroom Office Combo Ideas
Most guest bedroom/office ideas revolve around maintaining a sense of separation between the two areas. However, in a restrained space, it might be better to cohesively blend the functional zones instead.
Make the most out of your furniture options. Look for practical designs that will allow you more creative freedom. That again includes items like sofa beds, foldable beds (or perhaps foldable desks, if you prefer), daybeds, smart storage, and nesting tables—ideally those that can double as ottomans.
If your available room is very restrained, use student dorms and tiny houses as an inspiration. Some foldable beds can fit inside a cabinet compartment next to a desk, becoming truly invisible. Others, such as Ikea Vallentuna modular design, easily shift between a bed and an ottoman. Elevating the bed high and placing a desk under is yet another convenient small office/guest room idea with a minimal footprint.
Office/Guest Room Ideas for Decoration
Once you’ve sorted out the basics, it’s time to start thinking about the finishing touches. The most popular way to infuse personality into your space is by hanging some artwork on the walls. Think about motifs that will enhance your mood and productivity, and choose your art accordingly.
Adding a soft rug, a few throw pillows, and a cozy blanket will certainly make the space feel more like a guest room.
And, of course, don’t forget to add a few plants! They not only look great and enhance the feeling of calmness, but they’ll also help purify the air.
Do you feel inspired to put your own space to better use?
If the answer is still yes, then you came to the right place. Therefore, consult our experts free of charge and get your design today!