Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests
Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options
Becky Dietrich
January 31, 2014
I have seven grandchildren, plus two sons and their wives. When they visit, they bring all the paraphernalia that babies and youngsters and tech-dependent adults need these days. And we live in a 600-square-foot bungalow. Yikes!
If your downsizing has left you struggling with where to put your guests, consider some of these options.
If your downsizing has left you struggling with where to put your guests, consider some of these options.
Sleep sofas have come a long, long way in the last couple of decades. That annoying bar that was such an unwelcome part of the sleeper mechanism is almost a thing of the past, so your guests won’t have to act out The Princess and the Pea anymore.
And you no longer need a ton of floor space to accommodate a sleep sofa. Companies like American Leather have sleeper models with king-size mattresses that are less than 7 feet long and 37 inches deep, and queen-size sofa beds that are only 63 inches long. What’s more, American Leather constructs these pieces in a modular manner so they can easily squeeze through small doorways.
You can even put a sleeper section into many small-scale sectionals.
If you have a guest room, consider partitioning it, as in this space, which allows families to all fit into one room. My son and daughter-in-law would get the big bed, the twin girls would get the single …
… and my grandson would get the trundle bed. Don’t overlook this last option; just be aware that things like nightstands and dressers have to be accounted for when the bed is pulled out.
Bunk beds are a time-honored recipe for accommodating children — especially grandchildren. If there’s room for a twin bed in the room, then there’s room for a bunk bed.
If you have the ceiling height, a triple bunk bed is an unusual and useful option. Putting a queen mattress on the bottom level will make for a happy family guest room.
Wall beds, commonly called Murphy beds, are a great option if your budget allows. They can be added to almost any room’s shelving or built-ins. Check out Stuart David, a quality American manufacturer headquartered in Central California. The company has multiple options in wall beds, in a wide choice of woods and stains or paints.
Here you see the bed closed …
Here you see the bed closed …
… and here you see it open. Notice that the chairs were moved to allow for the space taken up by the mattress.
Does your ceiling height permit a sleeping loft? This is such a great way to provide for guests without taking up precious square footage on the floor. When you add a loft, be sure to include multiple electrical outlets for all the tech needs, like charging cell phones and tablets. If your guests happen to be grandchildren, you may need exceptionally great treats or activities to lure them down from a loft.
Thanks to the TV show Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet, tree houses are hot right now. And with very good reason. If you have an appropriate tree, you can gain spectacular space for guests.
I totally want to spend some nights in this tree house/guesthouse. The only problem is that if you build something this charming and welcoming, you will likely have a constant flow of guests. Take advantage of that if your municipality allows, and use it as a bed-and-breakfast. You could bring in a little extra income.
If your backyard is large enough, park a vintage Airstream trailer there and make it your guest quarters. It would be the ultimate in chic and cozy accommodations, and you’d get to keep your house to yourself.
If all else fails, consider making arrangements with a local motel or inn, and accommodate your guests there. The establishment might offer you a discount for being local or for frequent use. Your guests will be very comfortable, and the time spent out “from underfoot” will make the time together that much better.
Bottom line: Don’t let living small hinder your hospitality. Small spaces can lead to intimate get-togethers and great big memories.
More: Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces
Bottom line: Don’t let living small hinder your hospitality. Small spaces can lead to intimate get-togethers and great big memories.
More: Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces
We at Frasure Home Improvements feel like everyone deserves our best. We constantly push for excellence. We truly... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Ferguson showrooms are where your plans of a dream home turn into a reality. Ferguson showrooms are the place to... Read More
Related Stories
Living Rooms
How to Decorate a Small Living Room
Arrange your compact living room to get the comfort, seating and style you need
Full Story
Living Rooms
How Designers Make the Most of a Small Living Room
Follow these small-space tips from interior designers and architects to help you plan your compact room
Full Story
Landscape Design
Before and After: 3 Outdoor Makeovers in 500 Square Feet or Less
Built-in seating, multiuse features and other space-saving moves create efficient, stylish outdoor living spaces
Full Story
New This Week
3 Narrow New Bathrooms With Space-Saving Tricks
Remodeling pros share colors, materials and features that add style while visually expanding a tight space
Full Story
Landscape Design
How to Renovate a Small Backyard
Learn how to plan for your outdoor renovation, what to expect and how you can make the most of your available space
Full Story
Bathroom Design
Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bath by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Bathroom Design
30 Small Bathrooms Full of Big Ideas
See how homeowners around the world live large in little bathrooms
Full Story
Decorating Guides
4 Must-Have Features in a Small Office
By tidgboutique
A designer shares tips for creating a compact office space that works hard without taking a day off from style
Full Story
Living Rooms
How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger
By Neila Deen
Decorating a small living room? These 10 tips will help you make it more beautiful and welcoming
Full Story
Powder Rooms
New This Week: 5 Dramatic Powder Rooms
Get inspiration for a dark and moody bathroom from new projects recently uploaded to Houzz
Full Story
We're getting ready to sell the "family home" (where we currently have two complete bedrooms all ready for guests) and downsize significantly. We're planning to use our 19 foot fiberglass travel trailer as our guest suite. It has a queen and a single bed, full bathroom, running water, fridge, and heat or fans. What more could a guest need just steps from our house?
The original article mentions buying a vintage Airstream trailer and putting it in your backyard. That's a great idea, but Airstreams are really expensive. The price would compare with gutting and redoing most kitchens! Here in the Tampa Bay area, we are experimenting with a new idea: renting a brand new 2016 Airstream International trailer to homeowners to provide comfy, private space for their short-term guests. We bring the units fully appointed with premium linens, towels, pillows . . . practically everything you would find in a nice hotel room. Less work for the hosts . . . more privacy for all. What do you think of this idea?