Transforming an Overlooked Space into a Charming Oasis
You know the feeling – you’ve got guests coming to stay, and suddenly your spare room is looking a bit lackluster. Maybe it’s been serving as an overflow storage space or a makeshift home office. Whatever the reason, it’s time to give that guest suite a facelift and turn it into a cozy, welcoming retreat.
As someone who’s been there, I can say that renovating a guest room from the ground up is no small task. But with a little creativity and the right furniture and decor, you can totally revive the space and make it a haven your visitors will love. In fact, I recently tackled a similar project in my own home, and I’m excited to share all the juicy details with you.
From Quarantine Hangout to Guest-Ready Oasis
A few years back, my husband Ross and I decided to finish off our attic with some fresh white beadboard panels and a stylish gray-striped floor. But after that initial burst of renovation energy, the project kind of stalled out. The space ended up becoming a makeshift COVID-19 quarantine office and a winter greenhouse for our ever-growing plant collection. Not exactly guest-ready!
Then, as we were renovating our home, we realized we had a problem – we’d converted our fourth bedroom into an epic walk-in closet. Suddenly, we were without a proper guest room. Uh oh, time to get creative!
That’s when I stumbled upon some ads for the Zinus brand on my Instagram feed. I’ll admit, I’m usually a little skeptical of assembly-required furniture. But with our tight stairwell, I knew I had to find pieces that would be easy to get up to the attic space. So I decided to give Zinus a shot, and boy, am I glad I did.
Assembling the Dream Guest Suite
After a quick measurement of the space, Ross and I got to work ordering some key pieces from the Zinus lineup. First up was the Amanda Metal Frame Sofa – I loved its low profile and the zig-zag metal frame. We also snagged the Wesley Tall Etagere, which fit perfectly under our slanted roofline, and the Wesley Full Bed.
Now, I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous about putting all this furniture together. But Ross reported back that the assembly was a breeze – he had everything set up in under an hour, and he said the quality was better than any other flat-pack furniture we’d ever bought. Bonus points for being easy on the wallet, too!
With the big pieces in place, it was time to add the finishing touches. We rolled out a stunning handmade Turkish rug that really pulled the whole space together. Then I hung some simple white sheers on a long black curtain rod to filter the sunlight and add a touch of softness. The Wesley Side Table rounded out the look, providing the perfect spot for a lamp, a cozy throw, and maybe a stack of magazines for our future guests.
Finding the Right Layout
Now, I know there’s some debate around where to position the bed in a guest room. Some people swear by waking up to the morning sun, while others prefer to have the TV in their line of sight. Personally, I’m team sun-drenched mornings – there’s nothing quite like starting your day with that natural light streaming in.
So we ended up putting the Wesley Full Bed right in front of the big window, allowing our guests to start their day with a view. But we also added a TV area on the other side of the room, giving people the option to cozy up and watch a little something before bed.
The great thing about this setup is that it’s super flexible. If someone prefers a darker sleep environment, we can always add some room-darkening curtains to block out the morning rays. And the sofa and etagere can be rearranged to suit different needs and preferences. It’s a guest suite that caters to all types of travelers!
A Bright, Airy Retreat
When all was said and done, this guest suite transformation turned out better than I ever could have imagined. The space is now light, bright, and totally inviting – exactly the kind of welcoming retreat I’d love to wake up in on vacation.
The rug adds a beautiful pop of color, while the industrial-chic furniture gives the whole room an elevated yet cozy vibe. And that tall etagere? It’s the perfect place to stash extra linens, toiletries, and anything else our guests might need. Plus, it’s a super versatile piece that could work in all sorts of spaces, from a small foyer to a laundry room.
Honestly, I’m kind of tempted to call dibs on this suite for myself! But I know our future visitors are going to love it. In fact, I’m already daydreaming about the day we can welcome our daughter Chloe over for a cozy weekend stay when she gets her first college apartment. These Zinus pieces are built to last, so I have a feeling they’ll be making the rounds in our family for years to come.
Creating the Ultimate Guest Experience
At the end of the day, a successful guest suite renovation is all about striking the right balance. You want the space to feel cozy and lived-in, but also clean, fresh, and thoughtfully appointed. It should have a touch of personality, but not be so unique that it feels like it’s in its own little world, disconnected from the rest of your home.
The key is finding furniture and decor that seamlessly blends form and function. Pieces that are both stylish and practical, with plenty of smart storage and flexible layout options. That way, you can create a space that feels like a true oasis for your guests, but also works beautifully as part of your overall home design.
So if you’re ready to breathe new life into your guest suite, I say go for it! With a little creativity and the right furniture, you can turn a ho-hum spare room into a welcoming retreat that your visitors will never want to leave. Just remember to stock up on extra towels and make sure the coffee maker is primed and ready – your guests are going to be one happy bunch!
