How to decorate a study/guestroom combination

I need the desk but I also need the space for a visitor. How to make it feel right?
  8 answers
  • Gill Moreton Gill Moreton on Dec 03, 2015
    Hi, I've had to do this also. I would recommend that you get a small scale desk/table. Put your work related items in baskets that you can easily remove when it's going to be used as a guest room, and really thats all I would do. People are usually very relaxed about staying in a joint purpose room. They will understand. If you have a lot of stuff to store in that room, is it possible to use underbed storage? Or get a bookcase with baskets etc that you can have a curtain in front of when people visit?
  • Snapoutofit Snapoutofit on Dec 03, 2015
    I did some searching on the Internet and I think what looks best are clean, simple lines. If some of the drawers have locks on them, you can secure any confidential/personal paperwork in there. Here are a few pics for inspiration
  • Liz Weiss Liz Weiss on Dec 03, 2015
    I would consider purchasing a Murphy bed with shelves on both sides. This allows a spacious office that can turn into a guestroom instantly. I think color is also important. Something warm on the walls will help your guests feel right at home.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Dec 03, 2015
    You can purchase a futton which is narrow as your guest bed. Then once in place the size of the desk etc. can be determined.
  • Carole Bisby Carole Bisby on Dec 03, 2015
    I have a room like this also. I purchased a love seat that opens to a bed and when not in use it serves as office/ den ithas a big tv in there for the grandkids to play x box and open the bed when my sister comes to visit and spends the night. Love that it has two options!!!
  • Barbara Barbara on Dec 03, 2015
    The overall size of the room will dictate the scale of the furniture. We have a slant front desk that has three spacious drawers under the leaf and doubles as a bureau. There is a double bed in the room and a small end table and since we do have a wall-to-wall closet in the room, I've put our four drawer file cabinet in the closet and keep it locked. The drop leaf desk has plenty of space for a laptop and other desk needs. A comfy upholstered tub chair and a small bench at the end of the bed (which doubles as a desk perch) rounds out the room. Warm colors (ours is painted 'sand' with white trim and soft curtains, a table lamp for reading in bed. Keeping bold colors at bay I went with warm neutrals accented by small shots of cobalt blue (pillows, accent decor) to liven up the space and incorporate the colors to the remainder of the house. We do have a 24" flat screen TV on the top of the dropleaf desk for morning news, etc.Also can double as a monitor for the laptop.
  • Gina Schuran-castillo Gina Schuran-castillo on Dec 03, 2015
    great responses and really imaginative
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Dec 03, 2015
    A hide a bed sofa or an inflatable bed would give you the use of both along w/the desk. Wall shelving is also an option to store office supplies. Don't forget a lamp table.Hope that helps--I never used a guest room much but felt the need to have one also.