Guest Bedroom / Home Office Ideas: Your Guide to a Multifunctional Space

With so many people working from home these days, having a versatile living space is more important than ever. One of the best uses for a spare bedroom is a guest bedroom / home office combination. Generally, you only need the guest bedroom at night and the home office during the day, so a home office that doubles as a guest bedroom is the perfect solution. But how do you furnish it to serve both needs? We’ll take a look at some things to consider, plus we’ll share some multifunctional bed ideas that will help you make the most of your space while keeping things organized and comfortable for everyone.

Contents

• Things to Consider Before Creating a Guest Bedroom that Doubles as a Home Office
• Smart Furniture Solutions for Dual-Purpose Spaces
• Design Strategies for a Guest Bedroom Home Office
• Storage and Organization Solutions
• A Guest Bedroom and Home Office that Has It All
• Frequently Asked Questions

Things to Consider Before Creating a Guest Bedroom that Doubles as a Home Office

Will your home office work as a guest bedroom and vice versa? Here are some things to do before you start buying furniture:

Evaluate Your Space Requirements

As you think about your furniture needs for this space, take some measurements to determine the right layout and what types of furnishings will fit in the room. Consider the size of the desk, storage needs, and where you’ll put the bed when it’s made up and ready for your guest.

Consider Guest Frequency

How often do you have overnight guests in a given year, and how many do you generally have at once who will share the room? This will dictate what kind of bed you’ll need in your space as well as how easy it should be to make it up at night and then put it away when it’s not in use.

Determine the Primary Room Function

Do you only use your home office a few times per month or is it an everyday thing? And, as mentioned above, how often do you host overnight guests? This can help guide you in how you furnish, decorate, and stock the room. For example, is it more important to set the office area up for maximum productivity, including video calls, or to make it a cozy and welcoming space for guests?

Thinking about these key points can help you make a guest bedroom home office that works for you. With good planning, you can turn your space into a place that's great for both working and relaxing.

Smart Furniture Solutions for Dual-Purpose Spaces

Creating a guest bedroom / home office that works well requires smart furniture decisions. Since beds take up such a large footprint in a room, having versatile options can ensure the room also serves as a functional work space. Here are three bed types that work especially well in home offices that also function as guest bedrooms:

1. Daybeds

CozyBeds Twin Upholstered Daybed Sofa with Trundle Bed

Daybeds can be comfortable sofas that look great during working hours but can then transform into a cozy bed in the evening for your overnight guests. CozyBeds offers daybed models that include hidden trundle beds, so you get an additional sleeping space. They also come in a range of sizes, from twin to full to queen and even king size.

If you’re still deciding whether a daybed is the right choice for your guest bedroom - home office combo, be sure to check out CozyBeds’ daybed buying tips guide.

2. Murphy Beds

CozyBeds Vertical Queen Murphy Bed and Shelf Combo

Murphy beds are ingenious wall-mounted beds that fold up vertically or horizontally against the wall when they’re not in use, freeing up valuable floor space.

During the workday, you'll have a full-sized home office, and then when guests arrive, you can easily pull down a comfortable bed for them in seconds.

CozyBeds Twin Murphy Bed with Couch and Bookshelves Combo

CozyBeds’ collection of Murphy beds come with features like built-in shelves, couches, and cabinets that make them ideal for multi-use spaces.

CozyBeds Horizontal Queen Murphy Bed in Cabinet with Desk and Bookshelves

If you’re wondering whether a Murphy bed is right for your home office / guest space, be sure to check out CozyBeds’ Murphy bed buying tips guide.

3. Loft Beds with Desks

CozyBeds Full Size Loft Bed with Desk, Steps, and Storage

For small live-work spaces, even studio apartments, a loft bed with a built-in desk is the perfect solution for accommodating overnight guests. Loft beds elevate the sleeping area above the desk space, letting you maximize every square foot of floor space.

This arrangement creates a dedicated workspace underneath the bed while keeping the bed completely separate from your work zone, helping maintain clear boundaries between the office and sleeping area. The permanent desk setup means you won't have to compromise your work area when hosting overnight visitors.

Design Strategies for a Guest Bedroom Home Office

When setting up the work and guest areas in your spare room, there are some important design decisions to consider. Here are some ideas:

Create Distinct Work and Rest Zones

If possible, try to create separate work and sleeping areas in the room. Room dividers, like bookshelves and plants, as well as side tables and rugs can help create intuitive barriers that let workers focus on work and guests to focus on resting when they’re in the room.

Lighting Solutions for Different Activities

Lighting is vital for mood and task support. Dimmers can change the ambiance of the room, so you can go from work mode to relaxation mode in seconds. In addition, task lighting for desk work and lamps beside the sleeping area to create a cozy feel can provide versatility for different use cases.

Color Schemes that Work for Both Functions

Choosing the right color palette is also important. Calming colors, like soft neutrals, pale peach, brown, and blue, can foster rest. More vibrant colors can help with energy and focus in the area around the desk. It’s possible to create a cohesive look that works for all activities in the room.

Storage and Organization Solutions

Maximizing storage is another important aspect to setting up your guest room and office space. Use smart furniture with hidden storage, like beds with built-in storage and drawers. When guests arrive, you can easily get your office supplies out of sight while also providing space for guests to store their belongings.

Be sure to make the most of your room's vertical space too, such as with floor-to-ceiling shelves and cabinets and, as mentioned earlier, wall beds that fold up for daytime use.

CozyBeds Twin Daybed with Storage Drawers

Daybeds with built-in drawers are another great option, offering smart storage solutions that can help you keep the guest room and home office organized and clutter-free.

A Guest Bedroom and Home Office that Has It All

Creating a guest bedroom home office can give you the best of all worlds: a serene place to work and a cozy spot to host your overnight guests. We hope you enjoyed these ideas for your home, and we welcome you to shop CozyBeds’ selection of multifunctional beds that work for a variety of needs and lifestyles. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to combine a guest room and office?

One of the most important considerations for combining a guest bedroom with a home office is having a bed that’s both comfortable for your guests and versatile enough to work in the office when it’s not in use. Murphy beds, daybeds, and loft beds are great solutions that meet these needs.

How to set up a home office in a spare bedroom?

To set up a home office in a spare bedroom, be sure to position the desk to take advantage of daytime natural light. If possible, create distinct zones for working and sleeping. Choose a compact desk and storage solutions that don't overwhelm the space, and consider beds that also serve as couches, like daybeds, or can be put away, like Murphy beds.

What factors should I consider before designing a guest bedroom home office?

Before you start designing, think about the room's size and how often guests will stay. Decide if the room will mostly be for work or for guests. This will help you make a space that works well for both parties.

What type of furniture works best for a guest bedroom home office?

Choose furniture that can change its use, like a daybed, or be moved out of the way when not in use, like a sofa bed or Murphy bed.

How can I create distinct work and rest zones in my guest bedroom home office?

To keep work and rest areas separate, use room dividers and creative furniture placement. Add task lighting for work and soft lighting for a cozy feel near the bed. Pick colors around the desk that help you stay focused and energized and then soothing colors for the overall theme of the room for relaxation and sleeping.

How can I maximize storage in my guest bedroom home office?

Use furniture with built-in and hidden storage, like ottomans or beds with drawers. Add vertical storage with tall shelves or cabinets. Open shelves are good for books and decor. Use baskets, boxes, and drawers to hide office supplies and accommodate guests so they can put their belongings away too.

How can I create a welcoming atmosphere in my guest bedroom home office?

Make the room feel personal with art, plants, comfy bedding, and flexible lighting. Dimmers and lamps can set different lighting areas for various uses while also giving you the flexibility to adjust the overall ambiance of the room.