No Room to Spare: Tips for Transforming Your Living Room Into a Guest Bedroom

Your best friend is coming into town for a few days and wants to know if he can stay at your place. You haven’t seen him in ages so of course he can stay. You’ll both have a great time. But wait, you have a one bedroom apartment. Where is he going to sleep? Before you start to panic, this situation does not have to turn into a disaster. You might be surprised to know that with a few simple steps, you can make your living room into a cozy bedroom for overnight guests, using items you can easily store afterwards. Here are some tips to help you make your friend’s stay a comfortable one.

Think about your own bedroom: When you’re setting up your living room as a guest room, think about how much time you spend in your bedroom. Do you only go in there when it’s time to jump into bed, and are you out of there in the morning as soon as your feet touch the ground? Or perhaps you like to slip away for a quiet moment with a good book? These are important considerations to take into account when you’re having a guest to stay. Think about how you can make your living room as much like a bedroom as possible, at least at night time,  for the duration of the stay. Make sure the blinds and shades block out enough light. If you have one, place a table lamp close to where your guest is sleeping so he or she won’t have to stumble around in the dark.

Sleeping arrangements: Whether your guest is sleeping on your sofa, a futon or a pull-out bed, don’t forget to provide nice clean sheets, and warm blankets or a comforter. If your guest prefers it, provide gentle music or ambient lighting. Think about providing earplugs if your neighborhood is noisy and your guest is a light sleeper.

Sitting for comfort: Bean bags were popular back in the 1970s, and now they’re making a comeback because they are so convenient. If you don’t have room for easy chairs in your apartment, bean bags are great space savers and extremely comfortable. They come in a range of sizes and colors, and you can drop them on the floor anywhere and have an instant chair. Visit Comfy Sacks online if you’re looking for affordable oversized bean bags.

Create an air of welcome: It’s important that your guest feels at home and there are a number of little touches that will go a long way to making that happen. First of all, make sure your guest has a set of keys so he or she can come and go as needed without having to rely on you to be there to open the door. Take the time to clean and de-clutter your home before the arrival. Put a vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table to brighten the place up. If your guest is not familiar with the area where you live, provide a map and a public transit pass.

Keep it private: Privacy is key to ensuring your guest’s comfort. Make sure the bathroom door closes properly and has a working lock. Discuss a shower schedule that will work for you both without messing up your daily routine. If you have to get up and leave earlier in the morning than they, make a plan so that your guest can have his or her space until that time. If you have an open plan apartment, think about a temporary curtain or room divider to allow more discretion. Try not to stay up partying too late in the living room if you guest is waiting to go to sleep.

Luggage space: You may not have enough room in your closet to stash your guest’s luggage, so get creative. Maybe you have some extra storage space under the bed. If you have a table in the room, throw a floor-length cloth over it and store luggage underneath. Find a spare draw or two to store your friend’s clothes then you can keep empty cases on top of kitchen cabinets or in the attic space.

That wasn’t so tricky after all was it? Just following those few hints made your friend’s stay work out just fine. What’s more, now you are equipped for next time you have an overnight guest.

Lucy Brennan writes a variety of lifestyle articles in her free time. She is a Mom of 3 kids and has a growing menagerie of pets, she likes DIY and home decor projects as well as trying out new recipes.

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