Do you need a second guest space? Most homes only have one, so unless you have multiple visitors frequently sounds like that space will go unused. Also, do you need a second TV space? Is it possible to add doors to the den so that you can close it off when needed? Where is the den located?

There are too many questions for us to really answer for you. Ultimately this comes down to how you live and how much mess you're comfortable showing.

What is the most functional use of the space for how you want to live. I don't know why you would need a second "dedicated" guest space. In my own experience most people don't even one one "dedicated" guest room let alone two. Rooms are designed to be multifunctional and frequently guests sleep in what are otherwise dens/television rooms/offices or other functions the residents use that room for most of the time.

If being on the lower floor is more functional than I don't understand why it can't be disguised and made more attractive when people enter. My mother was an inveterate quilter - she used the dining table when she needed large horizontal space; she was a hand quilter so she sewed in the den/television room and her sewing machine was also in that room.

l would use the 2nd guest room for your quilt projects. I regret buying a new queen size bed for our smaller guest room as in the previous house I had a card craft room & now will be crafting out of the basement:(

I would use this guest space for your quilt projects especially since you already have a space for guests! Maybe it could be used as a dual space?

I love that I can leave all my stuff and close the door in my spare bedroom. Who wants to have to clean up and/or hide it all the time? We don't have a lot of guests but I have one other spare bedroom with 2 twin beds in it. If that's not enough or good enough then they need to go to a motel as far as I'm concerned. If I had enough room to put a futon in my sewing room I would, that would be one more place to put a guest or just to take a nap in. But if the spare room isn't room enough could you at least use it for storage, add a futon for just in case and then set up a machine on temporary basis in the den?

Thanks for all your thoughts. It is true we don't have overnight guests that often and I would have to buy more bedroom furniture so add that to the "cons." Maybe I'll consider a sleeper couch in the den since I would like to have more than one space to host family..

Is the other guest room larger than your current quilt room? If so, maybe swap those two rooms, especially since overnight guests are scarce.

I think a sleeper sofa is a perfect solution. If you are worried about the comfort of your guests, a foam mattress bed really helps or if you want to be spendy, there are higher quality versions which have better mattresses.

Besides offering a bed for your guests, having a comfortable couch in your sewing area makes it more comfortable for you. My mother was a quilter (and embroiderer) and she did most of her actual sewing on the couch in the den. You could create a lovely haven for yourself up there both aesthetically and in terms of your comfort. Once you have decided that a "lady cave"/quilting room/sometimes guest room is what works best, you can also think about some furniture that would help the experience - for example, you could get some inexpensive IKEA wall units so that all of your supplies are organized - my mother was a fabric packrat and when she died I uncovered all her fabric stashes all over the house - would have been great if she had been able to organize them beautifully in one place.

No cons, only pros. Quilting takes priority. Life is short. No need to tidy up, quilting is what you do.

Definitely yes- move your quilting in an easier to use area. You can add a door if you want to be able to close it off. But it's likely that most visiting friends would be a lot more interested in seeing your quilting than in seeing a closed door.

A $30 stick vacuum that you keep in a sewing room can do quick pickup of loose threads and dust bunnies. It's zippy and a lot more likely to get used than a big heavy vacuum down the hall.

Yes to quilt room. Used every day, easy to access and clean. I want to see your creations!

I would move it. And my sewing space is very messy. If you don’t want it seen you use a screen to block the view. Opportunity to make another quilt! (Do you do those fancy scenery quilts or patchwork type?

I'm with the Move-It opinions! If you're concerned about visitors seeing your mess, tell them what I tell mine...'That's not a mess. It's a creativity explosion!"

Live in your home and use it how it best suits you. You'll be glad you did.

Happy Quilting!

Great feedback--love this community! I do have quite the fabric stash so I'd probably still store some of it upstairs. Thinking I'll do a trial run moving my machine/table and see how I like sewing in a new space before I break my husband's back moving it all ;)

Speaking from experience, having my creative space on the ground floor is wonderful. Allows me to pop in between what ever else I'm doing (laundry, cooking, etc) and sew a few seams . I do have a door on it so I can close off the chaos but I seldom do. My guests think its fun and are always interested in where the magic happens and if I want to work on something while my partner is watching TV I feel so much more a part of the action. Go for it!

If you’re worried about visitors seeing the “mess”, hang your favourite quilt over the doorway :-)

I think the pros win. You can put up a door/curtain to hide the room if you don't want people to see in. You can always paint the furniture to improve it's looks, but I wouldn't worry about that.

I think the pros win, too, with the caveat that I would want to pick the room that has the best light.

I'm not a quilter, but I knit and crochet avidly and my favorite place to work is in the living room. I figure if guests see signs of my crafting they are seeing a big part of who I am and what makes me happy. Pretty yarn or fabric isn't something that needs to be hidden like dirty laundry or dishes! :-)

Frhomez1, another thought came to me about this. You don't mention whether you have others living there. If it were just me living here I wouldn't think anything about leaving my hobby out in the "common" areas of the home. But I have DH who although he supports my having hobbies and thinks they are wonderful, I don't think he would like them being in his face all the time in the living/kitchen/dining areas. Just the same if he had a hobby I wouldn't want it in my face either. Just a thought. Knitting and crochet are easily put aside in a basket, etc. in the living room but it's different with a sewing machine, cutting table and stacks and/or bins of fabrics and supplies. When I'm in the middle of a project it gets messy, no way would I want to have to clear it out all the time. And I wouldn't expect DH to want to look at it, either.

Quilting room wins! My mom had a saying that goes something like "Company like fish in three days grows old." So depending on how well you like your guests you can make the sleeping room as nice as you want.

ritaweeda my DH does support my decision either way since he actually has the best hobby room in the house for his music studio, admittedly why we bought this house for the separation! He also makes a mess of the current guest bedroom (his dressing area) on a regular basis, so having an extra bedroom could also make sense as the "clean/ready for guests" room...