One of my goals for the summer was to (finally) finish our guest bedroom. During the first year and a half that I owned my home I had a roommate who occupied this room (my little brother—best roommate ever!). Soon after that, Trey and I got married and started living together, and this room became at times kind of a catch-all or junk room. I did finally get it to a place where someone could stay with us. That's how you see it in the photo below.
I wish I had taken a photo of this room when I first moved in because it also had stained, dark tan carpet which I eventually upgraded to wood laminate to match the rest of the house. In the before picture you can see the original paint color.
I had a few goals with this room before I began. First off, the room is the smallest of my three-bedroom house. I've had smaller bedrooms in my life, but still, I didn't want to add any elements that would make it feel smaller. I wanted to open the room up while adding cozy touches.
My second goal was, honestly, to keep it simple. I wanted to have a put-together space that friends and family could crash in when they were visiting. But I didn't want to sink a bunch of money into the room since Trey and I really don't use it much ourselves. Most weeks I hardly even go in that room except to water the plants.
The first thing we did was paint the walls and trim white to match the ceiling. I also had my dad help me remove the oversized ceiling fan and replace it with a much smaller (but still bright) light. This helped visually open up the space a little more.
While planning, I decided I wanted to keep the furniture to a minimum as the room could very easily begin to feel overfilled quickly. Obviously we had to have a bed for guests (it's a queen that we already owned from Trey's previous loft). The chest was something Trey had bought years ago, and it now holds extra blankets and bedding. I got the dark rug on sale last year, and I love the contrast it adds to the room. I picked up the small leather chair that sits in the corner from a local flea market one weekend.
I hung a few magazines using wooden clothing hangers. I try to keep the magazines somewhat up-to-date for guests. I also hate to throw magazines away, as they often have content as good as a book (just shorter usually), so it seems a waste that they are so disposable, you know?
This is my favorite part of the room—the hanging globes in the corner. The flameless candles offer a safer alternative, while the little lights add a cozy feeling to the room, especially at night!
Even though the room is super simple, there are quite a few fun details that I love. I added some glass containers to the top of the chest that hold snacks and travel toiletries for guests. I really stole this idea from my sister. I also love the potted cactus and succulent mini garden. Now we'll just have to see if I can keep them all alive (I'm the worst with plants!). Also, on one wall there's a macrame owl that I thrifted a few months ago, a photo of Trey and me from our one year anniversary pictures, and a fun photo I took while in Seattle recently.
Our guest bedroom features a few DIY projects throughout, since that's one of the best ways to keep your budget low on nearly any decor project. We kept the Light Up Headboard my dad and I made a few years ago. I also built the bed frame, and I'll share that sometime this week (spoiler: it's really simple).
Since I didn't want to add too much furniture to the room, I couldn't decide if I should add some kind of side table next to the bed or not. In the end, I decided to since it's nice to have a place to put your phone or a glass of water. I used a jigsaw to cut out a circular piece of plywood to fit in the corner of the room. I sealed it with polyurethane and then attached it to the wall with shelf brackets. I had collected these two branches from a park about nine months ago and had let them dry out in my garage. Then I peeled off the bark, sanded them down, and sealed them with polyurethane. It's a very similar process to how I made my own stump side tables, so check out that tutorial if you're interested.
The oversized print above the chest is actually a photo of Trey I took while we were in Costa Rica this year. I used some of the actions from the Folk Collection to change it black and white and also add a double exposure. Then I had it printed at Kinkos (it's a blue print copy, like what they use for building plans), and it cost right around $10. Inexpensive, but personal, art; love it! Plus usually his sister Kat (remember Kat? She taught us about wine here and here) and her husband usually stay with us during the holidays, and I know they'll get a kick out of this photo of Trey. 🙂
Thanks for letting me share our guest bedroom with you! If you enjoyed this, then I know you'll love seeing both my and Elsie's houses in our upcoming book Happy Handmade Home. Just saying. (Pre-order, pre-order, pre-order… Yes, I'm subtle.)
Also, I'm going to try to list and add links to all the stuff you see in my room in case you have questions. But if I miss anything, or if you have any other questions, please let me know. Thanks! xo. Emma
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman. Photography: Janae Hardy. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions. Duvet Cover/Ashley G for UO (similar), rug/West Elm, hanging globe lights/CB2, plant stand and chair/vintage, light fixture and plant pot/Lowe's, chest/old and we repainted it.
I love that idea of flameless candles in the hanging globes! So creative, and would be so lovely and cozy!
Hi Emma! I love this room. How did you hag the glass globes?
Thanks!
Virginia
Love the globes!!! What kind of fasteners did you use for the filament. I have textured ceilings and don’t want to damage the finish. They look very unobtrusive.
I loved the hanging globes so much i went out and bought them! I have a bunch of them now but I have no idea how to hang them up like you did on the ceiling. Any tips?
Ahhhhhh! I love you guys but, please!!! Those brackets on the side table have got to go. Makes that corner look so cheap! Love everything else xoxo
I love this guest bedroom my favorite features are the floating globes, the chest and the twig side table. Great job decorating!
Lovely 🙂 That wall color is EXACTLY what I am looking for to paint my living area! Which one is it???
I know that no one would know where you’re talking about if you didn’t mention Kinko’s, but they’re called FedEx Office… and were bought about 10 years ago by them. It’s interesting because at our branch (and I imagine all the branches, I’m from Louisville, Kentucky) we had to have something that said, “Kinko’s Copying Inside!” In the couple of years that I worked there, my most common question was probably, “When did you guys change to FedEx?!” and then talking about their project. 🙂
Hey Emma! Love this new project. I discovered your site recently via Design Sponge a while back with your weaving diy. I’m already on my 3rd weave now! For the globes, just wondering what you used to hang them? I am curious to see as it looks like it’s on there with very little hardware. Thank you!
So sweet – I want a sleepover! I love that you prepare those glass containers for your guests. Also really really need those hanging globes asap!
Warm regards,
Alexandra
www.littlewildheart.com
Hello!
what a lovely room!
very neat and simple!
I wonder where you found that fantastic flower pot pedestal/stand?
regards!
Love that blueprint! Love the symmetrical sort of geometric look mixed with a candid and comical vibe. I would buy that.
I’m in love with this room! Everything is so put together and there’s a nice open feel to the room. My favorite part is all of the little personal touches such as, the art and the DIY projects. Its just so awesome!
-Lara
OOOOOhhh !!!! what a lovely place is now !!! with every simple detail !
www.rizarelrizzo.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh it turned out beautifully! My favourite part is definitely the rug – I love the colour and it’s definitely the backbone of the room. I also love the lights in the corner above the chair though they do look like they would be a pain to turn on and off!
Erin // http://www.beingerin.com
I like everything is this room. I find everything smart, especially the clothing hangers. What a cool idea!! Love it! Thansk for sharing
Julie
Lots of cute ideas here! I’m planning out my guest room at the moment, and I love the chest and chair and magazine holder ideas! 🙂 And if I didn’t have a bed head idea in mind already, I would so try something like this!
I just love the globes! but, how did you fix it at the ceiling? I would like to hand some globes over my bed, but have no idea how to do…
xx Viktoria
You really did a great Job!!!
It looks so calm and cozy, and the hanging globes are just amazing!! Did you order them in the internet?
I just love this room!!! Can I come and sleep over?!