Many times a guest room serves dual purposes. It may be Grandma’s hobby room most of the year, or it may be the center of a thriving home-based business. It could even be the music room. All of these situations require the design of the guest room to be versatile.

One option that adds versatility to a multi-functional guest room is a Murphy bed.  If the bed is installed in a custom-made cabinet, it can provide abundant storage and display space at the same time. Even without the addition of a cabinet, a Murphy bed enables you to provide quality sleeping arrangements for your guests, while keeping the bed out of your way the rest of the time.

The next best options for providing a sleep zone in your multi-functional guest room is to use a sofa bed or a futon. Both of these options will take up less floor space than a day bed, which is also a good option if you have the room.

The next step to creating a versatile guest room is to avoid throwing all the furniture that doesn’t fit anywhere else in your home into the guest room. Don’t look at this room as the catch-all space. Not only will the room lack cohesion, it won’t function very well. Only use the following essential pieces of furniture in addition to the sleep option.

1.  A comfortable reading chair. Supply an ottoman or stool if the chair is not a recliner.

2.  Reading lamps. These can be touchier lamps, table lamps, or pendant lamps. One guest room makeover I saw on the internet used 1950’s era furniture and hanging lamps to achieve a wow retro look.

3.  Bedroom storage. This can be a dresser, a trunk or closet space.

4.  A small table and chair. Many guests travel with their laptop and having a place to work comfortably and privately will be greatly appreciated. If you have a wireless network, provide instructions for how to connect. If necessary, provide a cable so your guest can hook into the internet.

Once you have accounted for these needed items, you can start planning the layout of your room. What other things do you need in the space when you don’t have guests? Will this be your office space? A music room? A sewing room?

This is where you actually may be able to repurpose some of those existing furniture pieces. You might have an armoire that would be perfect for an office if it had a sliding shelf installed. Or that armoire could be the focal point of a music/entertainment room, where the daybed or futon provides an alternative hangout for your teens when they don’t want to watch the news.

A sewing armoire provides storage for machines, thread, notions, and fabrics. Additional storage options may be needed as well if you are a dedicated crafter. Consider a bank of armoires side by side along one wall. The effect can be dramatic while making it easy to look neat and tidy in minutes.

Whether you intend to use the guest room for your own personal entertainment, consider providing a television if you have an extra one. If your guest has trouble falling asleep, having a TV can be greatly appreciated.

Of course there are other things to consider as well—color schemes, furniture styles and sizes, etc. Even if you succeed in making a versatile guest room, if the look doesn’t come together, it won’t be a space you enjoy any more than your guest will. Take the time to consider color, texture and pattern. If you do, you’ll be able to design a versatile and livable dual-purpose space.

After acting as a contributing editor for AmericanArtisanArt.com, Veronica Smith, an award winning designer in her own right offers tips on displaying unique metal wall sculptures and abstract metal wall hangings.

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