can you remove that table and push the dresser to the right? that desk/table is too big, doesn't belong.

what if you moved the bed on the wall where the dresser is? can you try that?

try the dresser under the window.

what color are you painting the walls? you're painting the doors too, yes?

move the nightstand to the left. you can't get to it from the right. (unless you move that dresser down)

Also, can you paint that dresser? might be cool if you did a bold color. need some design choices though.

Beth H - Thanks! It is definitely crowded in there! Would be nice to be able to fit a small table/ desk, even if just small, but know this is too large and will move it out tomorrow then send pics. If I could fit a bed that would be great. I really like the bed in your first image a lot! Yes, yes, I would be happy to paint dresser. I keep thinking about the two toned chest you posted. It is really fantastic, you did a wonderful job!!! I love the idea of a bold color for this dresser but don't know what color would look good. Thinking maybe BM gray mist for the walls, waiting for sample from Samplize to arrive. That green paper by the bird pic is BM camouflage, but I think its too pea soupish. Open to any color suggestions. and yes need to paint doors too. Thanks
What design choices should I start with?

Of the three BR pics you share, I like the second one best, but like the idea of an upholstered bed, like the first one.

Go with the colors in the art prints you have. Bed should be opposite the door, so center it on the dresser wall. Paint the dresser in the teal blue from the art and put it under the window. Eliminate the mirror, but hang a taller one in the entry recess so guests can check themselves before leaving the room. Hang the two prints over the bed. Keep the bedding neutral, kind of like the background of the art. You might paint a pale sage green derived from the green in the prints. It is a soothing color for a guest room.

decoenthusiaste - Thanks. I like your overall idea with artwork over bed
& long wall mirror near door. Not sure I want those bird prints over the bed though, I think I will look for new artwork.

For continuity in your house you might want the room/bedding to repeat a color that is already in the home.

Well, my son and GF who will be using the guest room for visits extended stays would me keep the desk in the room to have an isolated area for for work/zoom calls. I am thinking to start looking around for a secretary with drop down to accommodate a laptop and sitting area but with a smaller footprint. Will post when I come up with something.

I think the art you chose is very lovely! If you get rid of that large table and switch the bed to the longer wall then you may have room to use a small scale desk as a nightstand.

I’ve used my console table as my desk for the last 8 months. It works just fine and I sit there all day every day.

lynartist - Thanks, I didn't realize such small, mini desks existed. Thanks also for your comment on the art...I appreciate that, I'm not sure where to hang the bird prints, brought them along with me to my new to me downsize home. If I move the bed to the long wall, then I like the idea of art over the bed as decoenthusiaste suggested, but I think these prints are too tall for over a headboard.

The bed needs a headboard.

Molly - possibly if dresser is mover to window and bed on long all a console could fit across from the bed.

Depending on the size of your nightstand/desk the art can go over those. Here is a pic of my bedroom as an example. It’s late; not the best example of what I mean. I’ll look for something better tomorrow.

Better examples. As your prints are a good size you would need larger bedside chest/ desk. Hoping you would have room if you move the bed.

Might be a mix of a few elements in the room.

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We've included some of our bedroom designs. Perhaps sharing these with you will aid you in your dilemma.

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Honestly, not sure anything wrong with current paint color, or ivory white bedding. Pillows of art's colors would be very nice. Nightstands with art, etc... better in a large room. It would seem crowded to me.

2nd there's your green.

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This showed up,, and actually white legs wouldn't show much against rug's light neutrals?

Tracy Queen Bed MOD-5766-WHI-BEI · More Info

Too much look for clean lines or dresser?... idk if floor lamp is the best, but table lamp, yeh?

this board maybe, for a bit of fluff or sweet pillow...

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I added solid muted pillows above -take a peek.

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Going eclectic! if they esp. like it, and you do -- this type?

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Hi Lynartist, everdebz, Patricia Colwell Consulting, and Everything Home. Sorry for my Delayed response, but wanted to have time to address your comments before posting again. Thanks for supporting me in this process. Unfortunately, had to temporarily stop working on the guest room but hope to start back up next week and it seems deciding bedding and layout is where I'll begin. Patricia Colwell Consulting- was hoping maybe you would chime in. Thanks for providing a suggestion for where to begin the process This room is more home décor orphanage than 5 star hotel! 🤣. Will keep in mind all the elements you suggested in order to make guests comfortable and hope to make it work in this small space. I hadn't thought of dresser in the closet, but it makes sense. Like the idea of artwork above a desk, but not sure of a layout which would accommodate it. I'm including a sketch of the room below,if you, or anyone else could help with an alternate layout recommendations, I would be grateful. Lynartist, your bedroom is beautiful, thanks for sharing it along with other inspiration photos. The bird prints are 30"w. What width nightstand/desk would be needed to hang the prints above? Everdebz, the room is certainly a mishmash of items. Eclectic, but not in a good way. I really wasn't sure where to begin the process. The upholstered and metal beds you posted are contenders, I think the rug might be dark enough. Walls need to be painted, they are only spackled and primed at the moment. Planning to follow Patricia Colwell Consulting's advice looking for bedding next week.

Thanks all!!!!

Keep dresser and lose the table. Keep night stand but paint that lamp a dark sage. Light sage paint for the walls- complimentary to the wall art. Move the tall lamp. I think a sage botany oak bedding would be great! With the right pillows you could get away with no headboard but you really need one.

Oops I meant botanical bedding theme! Darn auto spell!

What size bed do you have in the room? Is that a Queen?

Are your guests really going to need a dresser that large? I think the table/desk will be more useful to them for laptops and bags and books and whatever they bring. . Could it also act as a nightstand if you moved the bed to the other wall? Room needs a luggage rack and a mirror. I assume the desk/table will have a chair. Provide a hook bar somewhere for clothes, robes, jackets. First i would take the dresser out...

I have not read every comment so sorry if this is a repetition but suggest you choose bedding with a dense print . Even the best of guests will sometimes put a wheelie suitcase on a bed to open it etc, and it is essier to deal with after a wash with a dense print.

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Good too to put a storag bench at the foot of the bed.

i would get rid of the big desk and instead move the dresser into that space. Put a small table on both sides of the bed.

buy bedside lamps that only require a touch or an obvious button push to turn on and off. They now make nice lamps with phone recharge stations in the base so those can be perfect.

if you can afford it consider taking the doors off the closet and creating a nice looking space for guest clothes in there. You know, a hanging rack and cubbies. If you do that you can ditch the dresser and put back the desk, which is nice to offer guests who bring laptop. But a much smaller lamp for the desk.

When you put the bed up against the window and then put something on either side of the bed, it makes it hard to open and close the window covering. I'd put the bed against the wall with the artwork and lose the artwork. Make the feature on that wall the headboard of your bed. The artwork is rather large if there is already something on the wall. Kind of overpowers the wall. I'm no designer, just an ordinary person who knows what I like.

Definitely put the bed on the long wall.

I love muted neutrals with natural fabrics with some different textures. Position the bed along long wall, not under window. Headboard for sure, maybe low profile simple linen fabric covered padded headboard. Black curtain rod with floor length woven texture drapes (Target has great price on insulated room darkening ones). Use wall mounted thick wood shelves instead of night stands and wall mounted light fixtures on each side of bed. If have to keep large dresser, keep at foot of bed, but prefer smaller dresser, possibly inside closet. Recommend remove floor lamp. Simple design black ceiling fan with plain light for overhead lighting and light breeze comfort in room. Add at least one real or artificial plant. I have this fold down computer desk from Target and love it to hide everything inside when not using it. Upper compartments can hold work supplies or decor items. Top of desk is nice for framed photos, small plant. Upholstered desk chair would be extra nice. This look might be is boring to some people, but a serene practical uncluttered retreat to me. Bedding color is dependent on what color you paint walls, but keep it cream/white/gray/taupe/khaki neutrals depending on wall color. Good luck!

Laura Hill - Yes, a queen bed. I need the functionality of it for two adults to share.

janzian- Thanks. Good point, a table/ desk is more useful than a dresser for guests, certainly in my case. Yes will include chair. Planning to do some rearranging this week, definitely a full length mirror and hopefully a luggage bench. Good idea to add a hook or two.

ital mover - Thanks. Your suggestions are fresh I will keep your good them in mind when looking for lamps and bedding. Might also look into getting the closet redone though I think it would involve a wall change as well since the closet space currently extends behind the wall and I don't want to lose the space.

The long wall where your dresser currently is makes the most sense to put the bed as that will allow you to place 2 approximately 20" side tables on either side and leave a 3 foot walkway all around the bed. Side tables with 3 drawers would give you storage. A headboard would be great. Place small scale chair in the corner where your floor lamp currently is with a laptop height small scale table (25" high) next to it to function as your desk space and include floor lamp as well for lighting. Since you are keeping the area rug consider bedding that will compliment it, Emmalyn Chateau duvet cover from Pottery Barn could be your style (similar to art you have) has the grey tones of your area rug and is currently on sale. People commonly either choose art or an area rug to start their design projects.

debc25 Thanks Good point about the the window coverings being more difficult to open/ close behind the bed. The bed was actually moved to that spot to give it a try in that location, but I'll probably move it back to the long wall which is where I originally placed it and seem to be the consensus

Laura Alexoff - Thanks. I like the idea of a drop down desk with hutch which is nice looking and take up less space!! The ceiling fan has been purchased and installed since original photo. I went with a white one to blend with ceiling.

Depending on your ultimate choice in bedding, this chair might work if you are keeping a desk. I think it would go nicely with your art work, and it has the advantage of being on casters, so if someone wants to pull it away from the desk and use it as a reading chair, that works -- especially if you add a storage bench or a pair of storage ottomans at the foot of the bed where someone can prop up their feet. The storage can be useful for holding extra blankets or pillows for those want them.

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One other thought: I you live in an area with a deep freeze winter and decide to keep the bed under the window, consider a taller upholstered headboard to block any chance of a cold draft coming down on the sleeper. Just a simple one would do:

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Everybody has their own ideas how to treat their overnight guests, but my feeling is that the room they sleep in should be functional and comfortable but a lot more interesting than staying in a hotel room.

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Put your taller lamp on the right of the bed in that corner by the dresser and put your night stand with lamp on the left side of the bed.

, ,

Thanks, Gail Fowler. Floor lamp to left would provide better balance.

My 2 cents’ worth, looking at things mainly from a guest’s point of view: don’t overpower the room with too many decorative items, esp. throw pillows, which guests must find room for when actually using the bed; many people simply throw them into a corner, on the floor, so now you have to either wash them, or put them back on your laundered linens, dirty as they are.....not a good idea. Another thing that is important to me: rather than one large night stand on only one side, put a smaller one on each side of the bed. When you have a couple spending the night they will both need a place to put their glasses, iPad/cell phone or a glass of water....I hate having to put my things all the way on the floor if I have no night stand on my side. Also: please don’t “stage” your night stands with little “pretties” such as fake flowers, fake grass in little pots, pictures etc....a lamp for reading will suffice, and anything else will clutter up the space your guests will want to use. As for linens, you have art work and a patterned rug, so I would suggest a nice, classic hotel bedding....you can get a nice sateen from Cuddledown, or try RH or Serena and Lily if you don’t mind spending more money. Cuddledown’s come in several colors, are a nice, soft cotton, and if you watch them in the dryer and don’t leave them in too long you can get away without having to iron them. (I do that with my Serena and Lily, as well.) Good luck!

coray is so right!

And I will add to coray, I suggest not have lamps on the night stands at all, but having sconces affixed to the wall next to the bed.

This solves several problems.

This avoids having a bulky lamp on the night table, especially important when you may need to get a smaller bedside table due to the size of your room.

You can get the type of wall sconce that has an adjustable height, so it will work well as a reading light for people sitting up in bed even if one is 6'3" and the other is 5'3", and will work no matter the height of the bed as well.

Some of these wall sconces are plug in so you don't even need to call the electrician, and you can get the cord cover if you don't like the look of the cord.

Re secretary: I do not advise getting a vintage secretary with drop-down desk with hutch to use as a work surface.

When one works, one tends to lean on the desk with the weight of ones arms or elbows.

Secretaries are just not made to take that weight, and the hardware holding the drop-down leaf will break off the secretary or worse, the wood of either the wooden leaf or the secretary will be significantly damaged. And fine craftsmen who know how to repair this are very hard to find.

Furthermore, why is there any need for a hutch in a guest bedroom?

That bed room is too small, a large piece of furniture like that will only make the room look smaller.

If you need a place to store extra towels, get a hotel towel rack for the bathroom like this-

You said that your son and GF will be coming for extended stays, so they need a place to keep their clothing.

That is a very big closet.

I would put in a closet system like ELFA to accommodate their clothing with racks and shelves, etc. so that you do not need a dresser at all in that room. (You will have 2 night stands with drawers.) This way you will have space for a small work table and chair for them.

Another thought is to ask them how much time they will actually be needing a surface for their laptop. Maybe they could get by with a drop-down desk that is affixed to the wall (there are some with legs for more support) plus a (folding chair,) rather than a permanent table.

https://www.decoist.com/fold-down-desks/?chrome=1

And then they could have a nice comfortable chair for reading or whatever, and a laptop holder/lap desk like these (many people use these)

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-lap-desks.html

Loobab: I totally agree with you re. wall sconces and hutch/secretary. We have wall sconces in 3 of our bedrooms, for the very reasons you mentioned, and found a lot of good options at Rejuvenation, because they sell many plug-in types. And yes, IMHO the room is small for a lot of extra furniture, and you want your guests to be able to move around comfortably, put their bags etc....I would stay away from anything but the obvious necessary pieces, plus maybe a chair, if there’s room. Sometimes even larger bedrooms become small because people have so many of grandma’s antiques in their “spare” rooms.....old wardrobes, sewing tables, grandkids’ rocking chairs.....not ideal for guest rooms unless they are huge.

Many ideas given are excellent. Here are my two cents worth. I appreciate having room to stash my empty luggage in the closet and out of site and out of the way when I am visiting for a longer period. I also think a chair is necessary in any bedroom. Size can vary depending on what it may be used for: work, reading, drop your clothes... I have found that my guests use my wall hooks all of the time

Mi