Make a Small Spare Bedroom Work Harder
Don't allow the space in a spare bedroom to go to waste when you can give it several functions
Bettina Deda
July 24, 2015
Houzz Australia Contributor. Design and copy writer, designer & stylist, collector of beautiful things, passionate about colour, interiors and art. Beauty and gratitude are my top personal values. The Art Gallery of NSW is a second home. The perfect weekend is browsing flea markets and antique shops. I love green tea. I am the proud mum of two lovely (wild) boys. Yoga and meditation have helped me step out of my comfort zone and experience new things.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Design and copy writer, designer & stylist, collector... More
From helping empty nesters to downsize, I know that one of their biggest challenges is finding a way to utilise their small spare room so it has multiple purposes – that is, as a guest bedroom, home office, hobby space, you name it. The main problem encountered is that the spare room may not be very spacious in the first place. Adding to that, there may be built-ins or large windows that take away wall space and make it even more difficult to furnish. That’s why a clever room layout, versatile furniture and storage optimisation are the three keys to creating a stylish and functional spare room for multiple purposes.
CONSIDER YOUR ROOM’S FUNCTION AND LAYOUT
Give it a purpose
First up, decide what you’re going to be using the room for; and how much of the time. Think practically about how the space will be shared. For example, if it’ll be primarily a home office, with a guest bedroom on the side, you’ll want to make sure the bed is not taking up all of the space when you’re doing your books.
Draw up your space
Space planning is one of the most important steps when trying to get the most out of your spare room. It gives you an idea of the overall size and proportion of the space, and what pieces of furniture will fit in there. All you need is a floor plan (for this, simply measure the dimensions of the room and draw it up to scale). Then measure the existing furniture you would like to use in the room and draw these pieces to the same scale of your floor plan on a separate piece of paper. Cut them out and place them on your plan to work out the best layout for your room.
Give it a purpose
First up, decide what you’re going to be using the room for; and how much of the time. Think practically about how the space will be shared. For example, if it’ll be primarily a home office, with a guest bedroom on the side, you’ll want to make sure the bed is not taking up all of the space when you’re doing your books.
Draw up your space
Space planning is one of the most important steps when trying to get the most out of your spare room. It gives you an idea of the overall size and proportion of the space, and what pieces of furniture will fit in there. All you need is a floor plan (for this, simply measure the dimensions of the room and draw it up to scale). Then measure the existing furniture you would like to use in the room and draw these pieces to the same scale of your floor plan on a separate piece of paper. Cut them out and place them on your plan to work out the best layout for your room.
SOURCE VERSATILE FURNITURE
A bed that’s also a sofa
The secret to optimising the space in a small room is to source furniture that is versatile and can be used for different purposes. For example, use a comfortable and contemporary sofa bed that functions as a cosy lounge in your study by day and as a bed for your guests at night. If your budget allows it, invest in a custom-made solution with a fold-out bed.
A bed that’s also a sofa
The secret to optimising the space in a small room is to source furniture that is versatile and can be used for different purposes. For example, use a comfortable and contemporary sofa bed that functions as a cosy lounge in your study by day and as a bed for your guests at night. If your budget allows it, invest in a custom-made solution with a fold-out bed.
studiocuvier.se
A console that’s also a desk
Use a console with drawers or a trestle table for a desk. Keep it free of clutter so that once your guests arrive, it can be repurposed – simply place a mirror on it and transform it into a dressing table. A storage unit on castors can be moved around and hidden under the table when not in use.
Finding the right desk
Use a console with drawers or a trestle table for a desk. Keep it free of clutter so that once your guests arrive, it can be repurposed – simply place a mirror on it and transform it into a dressing table. A storage unit on castors can be moved around and hidden under the table when not in use.
Finding the right desk
Or storage that’s also a desk
Consider a multi-purpose shelving unit with an integrated desk and open shelves for folders, books and magazines that even has space for decorative objects. If you source one with additional closed storage compartments, you can hide everything you don’t want to be seen. On the top shelf, display beautiful storage boxes for the things you don’t need on a daily basis. At all times, keep clutter under control – a tidy shelf will radiate a sense of style and order in your small space.
Consider a multi-purpose shelving unit with an integrated desk and open shelves for folders, books and magazines that even has space for decorative objects. If you source one with additional closed storage compartments, you can hide everything you don’t want to be seen. On the top shelf, display beautiful storage boxes for the things you don’t need on a daily basis. At all times, keep clutter under control – a tidy shelf will radiate a sense of style and order in your small space.
A table that’s also a chair
By adding a nest of tables and a small occasional chair to your spare room, you can create a casual sitting or reading area. If overnight guests are expected, the tables can convert into bedside tables while the chair offers additional seating and comfort.
By adding a nest of tables and a small occasional chair to your spare room, you can create a casual sitting or reading area. If overnight guests are expected, the tables can convert into bedside tables while the chair offers additional seating and comfort.
A desk that’s also a bed
How’s this for a space-savvy option: If you’ve got a small and awkward layout, consider a bespoke solution that wraps all of the room’s functions into one piece. This narrow bed is also a desk, and has a handy storage and a spare trundle bed packed in, too.
How’s this for a space-savvy option: If you’ve got a small and awkward layout, consider a bespoke solution that wraps all of the room’s functions into one piece. This narrow bed is also a desk, and has a handy storage and a spare trundle bed packed in, too.
A mirror that’s also a cupboard
If you have the space to build more storage into your space, consider mirrored doors. Mirrors are a great way to throw light around the room and create the illusion of more space.
If you have the space to build more storage into your space, consider mirrored doors. Mirrors are a great way to throw light around the room and create the illusion of more space.
A filing cabinet that’s also a chest of drawers
Consider repurposing beloved items and using them in a different setting. For example, if you have an antique chest of drawers, use it in your spare room as a functional storage unit for your office accessories, documents or paperwork. By leaving the top two drawers empty, your overnight guests will have a place to store their belongings.
Consider repurposing beloved items and using them in a different setting. For example, if you have an antique chest of drawers, use it in your spare room as a functional storage unit for your office accessories, documents or paperwork. By leaving the top two drawers empty, your overnight guests will have a place to store their belongings.
OPTIMISE STORAGE
Locate clever storage spots
Find extra storage in novel places, for example, underneath a bed or bench seat, on the shelves of wall units, in a chest of drawers and in overhead cupboards.
This double-duty room makes the most of a narrow space by squeezing in a day bed by the window and opting for under-bench seating that can be packed with spare linens. Another clever trick here is that the designers have worked with the height of the room, adding shelving above the desk that goes up to the ceiling.
Locate clever storage spots
Find extra storage in novel places, for example, underneath a bed or bench seat, on the shelves of wall units, in a chest of drawers and in overhead cupboards.
This double-duty room makes the most of a narrow space by squeezing in a day bed by the window and opting for under-bench seating that can be packed with spare linens. Another clever trick here is that the designers have worked with the height of the room, adding shelving above the desk that goes up to the ceiling.
Aim high
Thinking vertically instead of horizontally is a great way to make your small room work its socks off. This space-savvy scheme has utilised vertical height to install a built-in raised bed with storage and a desk underneath.
A temporary alternative is to move a sofa bed away from the wall and mount a shallow shelf at the same height as the back of the sofa. This creates a small table for light reading and some books, plus there will be additional storage space underneath.
Thinking vertically instead of horizontally is a great way to make your small room work its socks off. This space-savvy scheme has utilised vertical height to install a built-in raised bed with storage and a desk underneath.
A temporary alternative is to move a sofa bed away from the wall and mount a shallow shelf at the same height as the back of the sofa. This creates a small table for light reading and some books, plus there will be additional storage space underneath.
Hang it up
Have a blank wall? Get creative with your wall space and place wall hooks in an interesting pattern to create an eye-catching display that’s also very useful as clothes hooks, especially when the room is used as a guest bedroom.
Have a blank wall? Get creative with your wall space and place wall hooks in an interesting pattern to create an eye-catching display that’s also very useful as clothes hooks, especially when the room is used as a guest bedroom.
TELL US
How did you furnish a spare bedroom to get the most out of it? Tell us about it in the Comments.
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After watching a number of English shows about renovations and make-overs I would love to have a bed/desk similar to the one in the picture. Ideal for as a study/guest room. And a trundle bed will always be handy for multiple visitors.
Oh that is a brilliant idea!
When we moved to our present home I was determined to use ALL the rooms - and have no wasted spaces, so the smallest bedroom was designed as a reading room. It is a lovey sunny 'morning room' and one of my favourite rooms in the house. When needed for guests the coffee table, on casters, is rolled out of the room and the sofa bed opens up into a double bed.