3 Furniture Layouts for a Small Bedroom
3 ways to decorate a small guest bedroom with an off-centered window to maximize on function, comfort, and space.
I get the warm fuzzies with the start of every planning phase of a room makeover.
It’s like Christmas, y’all! The anticipation is almost as exciting as the actual event itself. Almost.
Believe it or not, we still have several spaces to go in this house before calling it finished. (And actually, is a house ever really finished?)
Welcome to the small-ish used-to-be-Robert’s-office future guest bedroom. It needs love.
Like… a lot of love.
We’re really hoping to pull this one off for not too pricey since we have been in need of a guest bedroom ever since we turned our old guest room into a nursery for little miss Regan. And since Robert used this office all of twice since we moved into this house, we figured we could share offices (that’s another future room makeover we’re saving for later).
The tricky thing though is the furniture layout. It’s one of those oddly shaped rooms with randomly placed off-center windows that makes furniture placement a real thinker.
So I came up with three ways we could make it work. And I will give you a virtual squeezy hug and a pretend cupcake with a cherry on top for your help in deciding.
1. Layout #1 – Full Sized Daybed (With a Trundle)
My first gut instinct was to shove a full sized daybed up against the long blank wall in the corner with a twin trundle bed underneath so that we could maximize on sleeping space (and have the flexibility of separate beds for guests who don’t want to cozy up together).
When it’s not made up into a bedroom, it could double as a little lounge/flex room. Maybe even a makeshift library / quiet study space?
Source: Studio McGee
This daybed is absolutely gorgeous (also… hello, pretty green) and can serve as a sofa for a reading spot if needed. A pair of small storage ottomans could work well for extra linens too since a guest bedroom doesn’t actually need an entire dresser.
2. Layout #2 – Full Bed Against the Wall (With a Desk Doubling as a Nightstand)
I’m really loving the idea of incorporating a small writing desk into this room because my mother-in-law works from our house every now and then, if she’s helping us juggle childcare. So having a desk where she can setup shop in here would be a nice perk for her, and it could double as a nightstand.
I really don’t love the idea of shoving a full bed against a wall though. And maybe a trundle would be too crowded with a nightstand in the way, which means less sleeping room?
This bedroom is a bit smaller than ours, but you get the idea.
Source: Kate Lester Interiors
This desk/nightstand combo is a great way to maximize on function without sacrificing space.
3. Layout #3 – Queen Bed in Front of an Off-Center Window
I would love the ability to have a queen sized bed for extra sleeping room so guests don’t feel so cramped, but then incorporating a small desk into the mix might be too much.
Source: Rethink Design Studio
What do you think of hanging a full wall of curtains to help out that off-center window situation? I wasn’t all that convinced I’d love it until I saw this bedroom inspiration. Yum!
So that’s my brain on furniture layouts. It’s a mess up there, just so you know. There are way too many tabs open right now.
Which would you pick? 1, 2, or 3?
I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes in this decision but if you MADE me choose it would be #1.
number 1 for your family.
I like the idea of 3. I’ve slept in a trundle & it’s not too comfortable. Agree with the person who said a full isn’t comfortable for 2 adults. Like your curtain idea too. The daybed idea is good if you knew you were only ever going to have singles in the bed. That way it allows you more room. But for general comfort, I’d go with 3.
Definitely #3. Love the whole wall draped to work around the window. Queen bed. Bench, desk, or storage at the foot of the bed
Yikes Lauren, this is a good one! Personal experience tells me that with 3 doors you have a closet, bath and exit to hall. I would leave them alone! Whomever stays with you will have clothes to hang up or need a space to stash the suitcase and maybe souvenirs etc..
The wall of drapes looks good. I have seen where you create another “window” my adding framing and using blinds and then drapes; open or closed the whole thing looked balanced and excellent.
I have a trundle and a futon in my “shop” (actually set-up like a little apartment). I bought the best trundle mattresses I could without going custom…the problem is the trundles are SO skinny! More than 2 days and you’re hating life! I detested the futon mattress so I bought a 8″ thick infused foam mattress, NOPE, I only weigh 115 and I could feel every slat in that dang bed.
I also tried an Intek blow up bed, queen, that my 6’2″ brother and his wife slept on and they loved it. However, two of my kitties snuck in there and made short work of that bed!
Go for the comfort of your guests with the queen (access to both sides) and maybe scour the earth for a narrow secretary. What a challenge Lauren! Have at it girl….