6 Ideas to Turn your Kid’s Room into a Guest Room

Written by: Melissa Loehle

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Time to read 7 min

Are you looking for some creative and practical ideas to turn your kid’s room into a guest room? Whether you have a spare room that your kids have outgrown, or want to create a shared room for when you’re hosting visitors, there are many ways to transform a kid’s room into a cozy and inviting space for your guests.

Continue reading to learn about all the tips and tricks to make this happen!

Turning your Kid’s Room into a Guest Room

Transforming a child’s bedroom into a welcoming space for both adults and children involves creative and thoughtful design. Whether you have a spare bedroom or playroom that your kids rarely use or you want to make the most out of the space when they are away, here are some hacks and room decor ideas to turn your child’s room into a guest room that will impress your visitors.

Daybed for Guests

One of the easiest ways to create a guest room out of a kid’s bedroom is to invest in a daybed. A daybed is a versatile piece of furniture that can function as a sofa during the day and as a kid bed at night. You can choose from different styles, sizes and colors to suit your preferences and budget.

A daybed is also a great space-saving solution for small rooms, as it can be placed against a wall or in a corner, leaving more room for other pieces of furniture, such as nightstands and bookcases.

Adding a daybed provides an additional sleeping space for when your children host sleepovers or if you have more than one guest. It can also transform into your “hangout sofa” or a workspace when there are no guests.

Although there are other options, such as bunk beds, loft beds or trundle beds, a daybed is a safer option and adds more elegance to the room.

daybed in nursery

Storage Solutions

Another challenge you may face when turning your children’s bedroom into a guest room is finding enough space for both your kids’ belongings and your guests’ luggage.

You don’t want your guests to feel cramped or cluttered, so you need to find some smart storage solutions that can keep everything organized and out of sight. Some storage ideas you can try are:

  • Use under-bed storage boxes or drawers to store your kids’ toys, books and clothes.
  • Instal wall hooks or racks to hang your guests’ coats, bags and hats.
  • Add baskets and bins to your bookshelves or closets to store smaller items, such as accessories, toiletries, and magazines.
  • Use ottomans, benches, or a dresser that can double as storage solutions and seating spaces.

Kid-Friendly Decor Ideas

Just because you are turning your kids room into a guest room doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all the fun and whimsical bedroom decor elements that make it unique. You can still keep some of your kids’ favorite decor items, as long as they are not too childish or overwhelming. For example, you can:

  • Display some of your kids’ artwork, photos or trophies on the walls or shelves.
  • Keep some of your kids’ stuffed animals, dolls, decals or figurines on the bed or dresser.
  • Incorporate some of your kids’ hobbies or interests into the theme of the room. For example, if your kids love traveling you can try implementing a New York theme into the room’s decor by using Murphy beds, industrial decor and a framed picture of the New York skyline.
daybed for guests

These room ideas will help you move away from the kids room design without taking away your kid’s essence.

Harmonious Colors

The color scheme you use on a bedroom can make or break any interior design. You can create a harmonious and relaxing atmosphere that will make your guests feel welcome and comfortable.

daybed kids

You also want to avoid colors that are too bright, dark or loud, as they can be distracting, overwhelming or make a small space feel even smaller. Here are some design ideas to choose the right color for your guest room:

  • Try to match it with the rest of your home decor. Taking inspiration from other spaces in your house, such as the living room or your home office, can help you create a more cohesive look.
  • Use neutral colors, such as beige, gray or cream as the base of the room, as these colors create a sense of spaciousness and cleanliness.
  • Add some accent colors, such as blue, green, yellow or pink, to add some warmth and interest. Remember to use them moderately—you don’t want them to dominate the room!
  • Use different shades, tones and textures of the same color to create some contrast and depth. You can create your own DIY paint colors by mixing your accent color with different amounts of white or black.
  • Paint the room’s bedside tables, bed frames, and headboards in colors that match the rest of the room.
  • Add a pop of color to the floor space by adding colorful area rugs.

Functional Guest Bedroom

You need to make sure that your guest room has all the essentials your guests need for a comfortable stay. They should have everything they need, from bedding and towels to lighting and outlets.

You can also provide extra amenities for your guests, such as water bottles, snacks, magazines, books or games, to make them feel more at home.

Decorative Shelving

Decorative shelving is one of the best ways to add some style and charm to your guest room. Not only can it provide some extra storage space, but it can also display some beautiful and interesting items that will enhance the look of the room. Some things you can showcase on decorative shelves are:

  • Plants: They add some life and freshness to the room, as well as purify the air and reduce stress. You can choose from different types of plants, such as succulents, cacti, ferns or flowers, depending on the light and humidity levels of the room.
  • Candles: They help create a cozy environment in the room, as well as emit some pleasant aromas and soothing sounds. We recommend vanilla or lavender scented candles.
  • Books: They provide character to the room, as well as entertainment to your guests. You can ask your guests beforehand what book genres they like to provide a good selection for them.
  • Art: Adding works of art to a room helps showcase your personality and taste. You should add something that matches the color scheme of the room.
nursery with daybed

If you incorporate some or all of these bedroom ideas into your kid’s room turned guest room, you’ll create a space that’s ideal for grown-ups, tweens and kids.

Tips For Welcoming Your Guests in the Children’s Room or Nursery

When someone is visiting your house, you want to make their stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. One way to do that is to make sure your guest room is ready for them. These are some tips of what you can do to make their stay better:

Welcome Kits

Leaving a welcome kit on a coffee table or on the bed of the guest room is a nice gesture that shows you care about your guest’s needs and preferences. You can fill a basket or a bag with some essentials, such as hand soaps and scented candles, as well as some goodies for both kids and adults, such as chocolates or other sweets you know they like. This will not only make them feel welcome, but they’ll also feel special.

Notes with Information About the House

Another way to make your guests feel at home is to provide them with some useful information about the house. For example, you can write down the Wi-Fi password, the phone numbers of local services or the rules of the house.

You can also include some tips on what to do and see in the area, such as notable parks, museums and restaurants. This will help them plan activities and have fun during their stay.

Items for Kids

If your guests are bringing their kids with them, you may want to provide items they may  want or need to make their stay easier. Depending on the kids’ age, you can provide a crib your children have outgrown or an additional single bed, a changing table, night lights, stuffed animals and other toys.

daybed for nursery

Cozy Decor

Finally, you can spruce up the children’s room or nursery with some cozy decor that will make it feel more inviting and homely. You can add some curtains, rugs, cushions and wall art that matches the style of the room.

You can also add some personal touches, such as photos of your family or friends or souvenirs from past trips. This will make the room feel warmer and friendlier to your guests.

Turning your kid’s room into a guest room can be a fun and rewarding project. You can use your imagination and creativity to make the space reflect your personality and style. You can also add some thoughtful touches to make your guests feel welcome and at home.

At Nurture& we can help you make your guest bedroom or kids bedroom ideas a reality!

Melissa Loehle

Melissa Loehle

Melissa Loehle is an Educator, Graduate Intern, Writer, and Mother. She has experience teaching children in general education, English as a foreign language, and speech pathology. She is a former kindergarten teacher and is currently completing her masters in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University. Melissa has taught English as a volunteer and online. She is a freelance writer and editor who loves to help educate others. Her favorite accomplishment is becoming a mother. She is the mother of two boys, ages four years old and five months old, as well as a dog mom to two mixed breed oddballs. She currently resides in Saratoga County, NY.