My No-Renovation Guest Room Refresh
I gave our guest room a little refresh recently, and I’m honestly so happy with how it turned out. No renovation, no paint cans, just a few cozy additions and a little furniture shuffle. It feels like a totally different space, but without the stress of a big project.
The biggest change was moving the bed to a different wall. That one simple shift made the whole room feel more open and balanced. Sometimes just rethinking your layout can breathe new life into a space without spending a dime.
Then I layered in a few new pieces that really made the room feel welcoming. The striped bedding feels classic and calm, and I paired it with floral sheets underneath for a bit of contrast. That mix keeps the bed from feeling too stiff or one-note. In a guest room, I think it’s important to add those little details that make things feel thoughtful, like you actually planned for someone to stay there, and you didn’t just throw a bed in and called it good.
I also added a textured knit throw at the foot of the bed. It’s soft and cozy, and it gives guests something extra to grab if they get cold at night. Having those little comfort items out and visible goes a long way in making the space feel warm and inviting.
The nightstands got a few updates too. One side has a beautiful lamp with a glass petal shade that gives off the softest glow in the evenings. It’s not just pretty, it’s practical too, because no one wants to fumble around looking for a light switch in a new space. On the other side, I added a small green tray that’s perfect for jewelry, keys, or anything guests want to set down at the end of the day. And instead of laying the gold mirror tray flat, I styled it upright using a plate holder. It adds a little height and shine to the nightstand, almost like a piece of art, and gives the whole setup a more styled, intentional look.
I swapped out the rug that used to be in here and brought in one I had in a different room. It’s always surprising how much that kind of change can shift the whole feel of a space. And I finally added new curtains, which helped soften the room and made it feel more finished and cozy. Just pulling in pieces I already had and mixing in a few new ones made the space feel completely refreshed.
All of these little things, like the soft lighting, layered bedding, spots to set things down, are what make a guest room actually feel super welcoming. They show that you thought about comfort, and looks. And the best part is that none of it required a huge budget or a weeks-long project.
If your guest room’s been feeling a little blah, don’t stress. You don’t need a full makeover to make it feel cozy and inviting. Just moving a few things around, layering in some comfy pieces, and adding thoughtful little touches can go a long way. Soft lighting, extra blankets, a spot to drop your stuff are all details that make guests feel like the space was put together just for them. A little effort really does make the whole room feel warm, welcoming, and ready for company.
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How To Make a Floor Plan: To Scale
Creating a floor plan to scale is a game-changer when it comes to designing and arranging a space. Whether you're planning a new layout, rearranging furniture, or just getting a better feel for your room’s dimensions, mapping it out properly will save you a ton of time and effort. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Step 1: Start with a Rough Sketch
Before you even think about scale, grab a piece of paper and make a rough sketch of your room. This doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s just a guide to help you take accurate measurements.
Here are the key measurements to note:
The perimeter of your walls
The dimensions of your doors and windows
Any architectural details or built-in furniture
The sizes of your existing furniture pieces (if you plan to include them in your layout)
Once you’ve got those measurements jotted down, your rough sketch should look something like this:
Step 2: Transfer to Scale Using Graph Paper
Now, it’s time to make it official! Grab some graph paper because we’re going to transfer your rough sketch into a properly scaled floor plan.
To keep things simple, let’s set our scale: One box = 6 inches in real life.
For example, if your wall measures 13 feet, here’s how you plot it:
Double the feet count (since each foot contains two 6-inch segments): 13 feet → 26 boxes
If your window wall is 11 feet 8 inches:
11 feet = 22 boxes
8 inches is just over one extra box, so round up slightly to 23 boxes (with a touch of a 24th box for accuracy)
Step 3: Add Doors and Windows
Now, let’s position doors and windows precisely.
Say the distance from the left wall to the start of your pocket door is 6 feet 3 inches. That translates to:
6 feet = 12 boxes
3 inches = half a box
If on the other side, the measurement is 4 feet 1 inch, that would be:
4 feet = 8 boxes
1 inch = just a touch into the next box
Now that everything is positioned correctly, your to-scale floor plan should resemble this:
Step 4: Add Furniture to Scale
Here’s where the magic happens! Using the same scale (1 box = 6 inches), sketch out your furniture pieces, cut them out, and move them around on your floor plan.
By doing this, you can:
Experiment with different layouts
Ensure there’s enough walking space
Avoid placement mistakes before moving heavy furniture
For example, I quickly realized that centering the bed on this wall wouldn’t work—there wouldn’t be enough walking space to access the bathroom. By shifting things around, I could find a layout that worked without cramping the room.
Why This Method Works
This technique is a lifesaver because it allows you to visualize your space accurately. You can see what your current furniture fits, what doesn’t, and even test new furniture sizes before making a purchase. No more guessing if that new couch will be too big—it’s all planned out beforehand!
Give this method a try next time you're rearranging a room—it’ll make your life so much easier!