If you have a spare room, why not turn it into a space that works as both a home office and a guest room? It can be tricky to make it work for both daily use and visitors, but with some smart home office guest room ideas, you can make it happen.
These simple ideas will help you choose the right layout, furniture, and decor to create a space that feels cozy, looks great, and works well for everyone.
1. Add a Bohemian Touch
This cozy guest room home office, designed by blogger Sara Toufali, is both pretty and practical. A long desk for two is placed along one wall, giving lots of room for work. On the other side, a bed in the corner doubles as a daybed. It’s perfect for naps or guests.
2. Keep It Simple
Scandinavian style is all about keeping things clean and simple. This guest room by Fantastic Frank uses soft colors, warm wood, and vintage furniture. It feels calm and peaceful, perfect for work or rest.
3. Use a Desk as a Nightstand
Replace your nightstand with a small desk to save space and make the room more useful. In this design by Marie Flanigan Interiors, an antique desk is used as a bedside table. It looks charming and works great as a mini office space.
4. Brighten the Room with Color
Bright colors can make your home office feel happy and creative. This guest room from A Beautiful Mess uses bold yellow wallpaper and a matching desk to create a cheerful vibe. The colors make the room lively and fun for work or guests.
5. Add a Magazine Wall
Turn a regular guest room into a relaxing spot by adding a wall of magazines. In this design by Emily Henderson, the bed is styled like a daybed with extra pillows and throws. It’s great for unwinding or letting your guests feel at home.
With these simple ideas, you can create a home office that’s both practical and welcoming. A little planning can go a long way in making your space work for everyone!
6. Go Long
If your guest room is small, try using a long, narrow console table as a desk. It takes up less floor space but still gives you plenty of room to work. In this Lexington, KY guest room by Matthew Carter Interiors, the console table blends perfectly along one wall, leaving the rest of the room open and airy.
7. Add a Secretary Desk
A secretary desk is a great way to keep your workspace neat. You can close it up when you’re done working, hiding any mess. This design by Fantastic Frank uses a vintage wooden secretary desk with a slant top, adding both style and function to the guest room.
8. Keep It Quiet
This small guest room by Neva Interior Design uses a built-in corner desk that fits the curves of the room. The all-white design helps the desk blend into the background, making the room feel clean and uncluttered when the desk isn’t in use.
9. Choose a Modular Daybed
This office guest room, designed by Keyanna Brown for Emily Henderson Design, features a modular daybed. The back and sides can be removed to turn it into a full bed when guests visit. The desk is tucked into a small alcove, so guests won’t feel like they’re sleeping in an office.
10. Draw the Curtains
Leanne Ford Interiors used a smart trick in this guest room. A communal work table is paired with a bed pushed into a corner. Curtains hang from a rod above the bed, making it easy to hide the sleeping area when needed. Matte black paint on the office side creates contrast and helps separate the two spaces.
11. Construct a Corner Desk
This guest room by Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design makes the most of a corner. A built-in desk fits neatly into the space, and deep forest green paint covers the walls and ceiling,
12. Build a Platform
This guest room by Urbanology Designs places the desk on a raised platform in the corner, giving it a special spot in the room. The desk faces outwards, providing a nice view and giving your eyes a break from staring at a wall. A hanging chair in the corner creates a cozy space for relaxing or switching up your working posture.
13. Go Big
Using a large vintage or thrifted dining table as a desk is a budget-friendly way to get a big workspace. Julian Porcino designed this black-and-white office guest room with a large wooden table that adds warmth and makes the space feel complete.
14. Keep It Long and Lean
Fantastic Frank designed this long and narrow guest room with a slim desk mounted to the wall. It’s perfect for laptop work and doubles as a decorative shelf for plants or decor when guests visit. For a budget-friendly option, you could also mount a shelf to create a standing desk that suits your height.
For more space-saving solutions, check out 25 Small Home Office Ideas That’ll Make You Feel Like the Boss You Are.
15. Create Options
Matthew Carter Interiors designed this guest room with lots of seating and table options. There’s a bedside table, a long console table, and even space for an antique round dining table. These versatile pieces can double as work surfaces or extra table space when needed.
16. Add Modern Farmhouse Style
Kate Marker Interiors created this modern farmhouse guest room with a built-in pale wood desk that fits the home’s style. The desk has closed storage to keep things tidy and open shelves with decorative wallpaper to add charm and personality to the space.
This is similar to the suggestions made in Home Office Style: Must-Have Furniture for a Stylish Workspace, where furniture choices can set the tone for your office.
17. Swap the Bed for a Pull-Out Sofa
Make your guest room more functional by replacing the bed with a pull-out sofa. This idea, from Curated Nest Interiors, allows the room to double as a home office and a guest space without feeling crowded.
18. Paint It White
In this guest room by Kate Marker Interiors, a white-painted desk under the window blends seamlessly into the decor. The light blue and white color scheme and a soft, upholstered chair make the space bright and inviting.
If you’re looking for ways to make your home office feel like a personal retreat, be sure to check out How to Create a Small Home Office That Works for You.
19. Build a Nook
If your guest room has a small nook, turn it into a work area. Julian Porcino created a built-in desk in this minimalist Southern California guest room, making great use of the space while keeping the design clean and simple.
20. Try a Sleek Black Metal Desk
Fantastic Frank used a black metal desk with a glass top in this office guest room. The slim design adds style and creates a modern, graphic look in the otherwise neutral white and gray room.
21. Add Stripes
Karen B Wolf Interiors added wide taupe-and-white stripes to the walls in this guest room. The striped pattern makes the room feel larger, while the simple desk, chair, and decor create a stylish yet cozy workspace.
22. Add Comfy Seating
For occasional work, try comfortable upholstered chairs instead of a traditional desk chair. In this guest room by Matthew Carter Interiors, a small antique table and cozy chairs create a relaxed spot for work or tea breaks.
23. Eliminate Distractions
Keep your guest room minimalistic to reduce distractions. This Stockholm-inspired space by Fantastic Frank features clean white walls, hardwood floors, a simple wood desk and chair, and lots of natural light—perfect for staying focused.
For more ideas on creating a focused workspace, see 25 Small Home Office Ideas That’ll Make You Feel Like the Boss You Are.
24. Try a Tufted Ottoman
Jessica Lagrange Interiors added a tufted ottoman to this guest room office. The spacious bedside desk doubles as a work area, while the ottoman provides a cozy seat. When not in use, it can be tucked under the desk to save space.
25. Add Plants
Incorporate greenery to make your guest room feel inviting. Neva Interior Design created a calming vibe in this office guest room with a mix of plants arranged on shelves, creating a refreshing and lively atmosphere.
To learn more about how to make your workspace feel inviting, see 15+ Brilliant Small Home Office Ideas for more tips on creating a functional yet stylish home office.
26. Install a Bedside Desk
Emily Henderson Design swapped a nightstand for a writing desk in this guest room office. The live-edge desk with black hairpin legs complements the soft pink walls, offering a stylish and functional workspace for guests or yourself.
27. Use a Console Table Desk
Alvin Wayne used a slim midcentury modern console table as a desk in this small guest room office. It’s practical for working without taking up much space, leaving the room open and inviting.
How Do You Maximize Space in a Small Guest Room?
Maximize space by using a Murphy bed or convertible sofa instead of a standard bed. Choose furniture with hidden storage, like an upholstered bench or a trundle bed. Utilize vertical space with built-in storage, and consider a stylish room divider to separate the desk area from the sleeping space.
How Can I Make My Office Room Nicer?
Upgrade your home office with decorative touches like paint or wallpaper. Add comfort with rugs, throw pillows, or curtains. Use open shelving for books and decor, and hang artwork or photography to personalize the walls. Don’t forget plants—they add life and warmth to any space.