Tiny guest room

6 years ago

Hi all. I'm looking for some suggestions on how to warm up my tiny little guest bedroom and how to add a bedside table in.

The room is our box room, which is tiny dimensions, the door opens into the room (and being a metal frame a pain to change) and the stairs cut into one side of the room. The window is west facing. I've attached a couple of pictures of the room as it is now.

The biggest dilemma in here is how to add some sort of bedside table. There is no room to stand anything on the floor. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

The second dilemma is how to make the room feel warmer and generally more inviting. The main furniture pieces need to stay as does the carpet (cream) and wallpaper over the desk (which I love). I'm happy to change the curtains, linens and paint colours. I have been considering a duck egg blue maybe?

The other thing I'm thinking of doing is adding floating shelves onto the wall over the desk. Probably white ones.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Sam

Featured Answer

A B

6 years ago

I wonder if you could have a bespoke bed built over the bulkhead (turned 90 degrees to sit under the window)? You could have some storage drawers underneath and a bedside table to the left. I assume it would be on the 'short' side for a bed though- depends how tall your guests are!

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Comments (26)

A B
6 years ago
Is that the stairs coming up on the rhs of the first picture?! Crazy! Can you post a floor plan, it's a bit difficult to work out where things are. I think if you swapped the curtains and bedspread for a colour that goes with the duck egg blue of your wallpaper the room would instantly be softened. In terms of bedside table- how about getting a stool for your desk, that could also double as an occasional table? Something like this you could put a tray on for a glass of water when you have guests maybe?

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/footstoolsandmore/product/milan-buttoned-cube

I'd go for white bed linen, grey wool throw and a duck egg blue blind.
A B
6 years ago
http://www.itallstartedwithpaint.com/paint-distress-mason-jars/

Also how about some of these on the window sill?
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User
6 years ago
Hi Samantha!

Firstly I would definitely focus on changing the curtains and linen colour. I would choose to go for a crisp white linen with a duck egg throw along the end of the bed. Perhaps a nice white and duck egg pattern cushion in the center where the pillows are but I wouldn't add too many otherwise it'll start to clutter the space.

Colour palette-wise I would stick to the white and duck egg blue (you need a very light wall colour to create an airy illusion). If you was to introduce a third colour I would recommend a light grey perhaps for the throw or decorative cushion.

For the bedside table, you will need a very narrow white table, perhaps with a set of drawers that's slim enough to be placed next to bed and still have standing room. White gloss is a nice finish as it's light reflective and the light will bounce off it. Definitely stay away from darker colours. If you have a floor plan it'll be easier to know where the bedside table can go.

Hopefully it helps!
kikiamack
6 years ago
If you change the curtains for a blind, you could get a wall mounted bedside cabinet / shelf / cubbyhole beside the bed.
PRO
Luciana Sanchez
6 years ago
Hi Samantha,

Here we think that you could go for something braver! As it is quite small you could add some colour and create a more inviting atmosphere. Perhaps a different wallpaper that could add more character. We have a few ideas in mind that would look great!

We are a small online design company that offers impartial, good value design advice, which puts you in control.

By sending you a moodboard we help you to visualise the space. You will also get a shopping list with options to fit your budget (we can include bedding, cushions, curtains, etc)

Have a look at our website and let us know if you are interested! Our packages start at £50!

www.lucianasanchez.com
whizzywig
6 years ago
I would echo the top tips you’ve had above - swap curtains for a blind, stick to that lovely duck egg blue you like etc. Also, how about adding a mirror to help make the room feel bigger? Another option might be to have a joiner make a built-in unit incorporating that slope - make a feature of it and have quirky cubby holes below the flat top.. it might nake a nice spot for a lamp beside the bed. I’ll see if I can find a photo..
whizzywig
6 years ago
Found one - check out the bookshelf in this one..
Samantha
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi everyone. Thank you so much for the comments they're really helpful.

Jen, yes that's the stairwell cut out. Utterly ridiculous. Honestly whoever designed this house should be shot. I've attached another photo which shows the stairwell issue a bit better. I've also attached a very rough (not to scale) floor plan as well. The measurements I’ve added should be fairly close but as I couldn’t find the tape measure I’ve had to work with a little ruler lol. If I can find the tape I’ll add the other larger room measurements.

I don't think I could fit a table between the bed and stairs. I've only got about 16cm to play with. Whizzywig I like the idea of the cubbyholes along the slope, just not sure if it would look a bit odd considering the width of the slope.

Jasmine that’s really helpful thank you. I’ve seen a couple of options on bed linens that I quite like. There’s a couple which are largely white/cream (hard to tell from the website) with a duck egg pattern in a wide strip near the top. There’s also a set which are completely blue which look nice, but wondered if it would be too much in such a small space.

One of the white and blue sets are https://www.wayfair.co.uk/Catherine-Lansfield-Ornate-Jacquard-Duvet-Set-QXK3619.html And the other set http://www.dunelm.com/product/duck-egg-evie-butterfly-bed-linen-collection-b02450#Colour Group=Blue
The blue set is https://www.wayfair.co.uk/Hokku-Designs-Pearl-Duvet-Set-HOKD1490.html

I quite like the idea of switching to a blind, but at the same time like the softness the curtains add. What do you think of using a single faux curtain panel to the right of the window (away from the bed) with a roman blind for privacy.

Hi Luciana thanks for your comments. I would have loved to use a more striking paper but my OH was against the idea. The paper we went with was the most I could get him to agree to.
User
6 years ago
Ah yes that stair cut out is definitely a bit of an obstacle.
I’m not sure if anyone’s recommended it, but have you thought of a wall mounted
table next to the bed below the window? You could find a nice white gloss one
that can serves as a table top. It would have to be quite narrow. I would recommend
measuring that space before you go for anything.

With the bed spread, I would avoid the butterfly set otherwise you could clash
with your wallpaper and the ornate set may be slightly too dark? However, I
like the pearl set. It might be best to only use certain parts of the set to
avoid overdoing the duck egg, such as the duvet with white pillows?

I used to have a very small bedroom in one of my property
renovation projects. Exactly like yours but without the stairs. I also had a wall mounted table which
I put little home décor accessory bits on. Looked very pretty and could’ve been used as a
bedside table!
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Another possibility is to turn the bed around and utilize the stairs bulkhead by building a platform across the width of the room and creating a cabin bed with storage underneath (see pics). Judging by the height of the slope I'm guessing the mattress would sit just under the windowsill. This would then free up a lot more floor space so you could even have a chest of drawers.
As for colour scheme I would stick to plain white bedding and bring in colour with accessories. Duck egg blue, pale grey, and ivory colours work well together and you can also throw in a hint of another colour. Dusky pink or mint green work well with duck egg blue. This cushion from Laura Ashley would look nice: http://www.lauraashley.com/uk/cushions/oakley-duck-egg-cushion/invt/3690594
A lightly patterned roller blind with plain curtains could be another option for the window dressing but I wouldn't use patterned curtains as it might make the room look a bit too busy. Hope this helps:)
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Ah ha, I see Jen P thought of it first:)). Apologies, I got distracted while writing comment. She makes a good point on the length of the bed tho.
A B
6 years ago
Great minds @rachelmidlands...
Sonia
6 years ago
If it were mine, I would remove curtains and replace with a blind, either an off white wooden slatted one with wide slats, or a roller or Roman blind in a duck egg fabric. Definitely white bedding, Sainsbury's or Dunelm have some lovely ones and they are very reasonable. A throw in duck egg at the bottom of the bed with a nice cushion in duck egg (a patterned one would be nice).

How about a simple white shelf under the window, next to the bed and above that stair thingy? Somewhere to put a lamp and clock etc. I sympathise as I have an awkward stair box in my bedroom. The room is bigger than yours and we have just had fitted wardrobes installed so the box is tucked up inside, out of view at last! Your room will soon look lovely and you've certainly got lots of great advice. I love duck egg blue!
Carolina
6 years ago
I like the idea of a bed built above the cutout, but guessing the space isn't wide enough for that. Agree that a blind will be better. Lighter coloured bedding will be lovely. Shelf above the bed could function as a bedside table
Carolina
6 years ago
I know you'd like to keep the desk where it is, but I still want to suggest this: turn the bed around, put it where the desk is, put desk in the form of a deep wall to wall shelf under the window.
Samantha
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for your comments everyone I really appreciate the help.

Jasmine it's definitely a bit of an obstacle. Complete pain in the whatnot really. I like the idea of a wall mounted table. Would you suggest leaving the legs on so it looks like it's sitting on the slope?

I like the idea of white bedding but am a bit concerned that with pretty much everything else in the room being white it will be a bit cold. If I went white bedding what do you think about painting the three walls either a pale duck egg or pale grey?

Rearranging the room isn't an option unfortunately as the wardrobe and desk are fitted. We used to have a bunk bed that was built over the slope but it wasn't very nice (think it was built when the house was built). It's something I might consider doing down the road if we have children. But at the moment it wouldn't be practical. My mom often sleeps in there when she stops. Don't think her knees would be too impressed having to climb up there.
Sonia
6 years ago
Pale duck egg would be lovely on the walls. I used Dulux Light and Space paint in Ocean Ripple in one of my bedrooms and it looks so pretty. Do not be afraid of white bedding, once it is dressed with a throw and a cushion it will really look the business. If you want patterned duck egg, Dunelm do a Beautiful Birds set which is pretty but rather busy - you just have to keep the rest of the room quite plain. In the end have what you like, it is your room after all. Good luck.
PRO
Make My Blinds
6 years ago
You know what would look great in that window with the Duck Egg blue? White wooden blinds - they will help brighten the room in the day and give a smart and modern finish to the room. https://www.makemyblinds.co.uk/white-wooden-blinds.html
User
6 years ago
Hi Samantha,

You could have the legs touching the slope to create a real
table effect otherwise a floating bedside table looks fantastic too. This is
similar to what I’ve chosen for a client in the past, it’s perfect for when you
have wall space but not enough floor space:

https://www.notonthehighstreet.com/urbansize/product/floating-bedside-table-with-drawer-and-shelf?istCompanyId=aa76f5e6-d733-4e56-8409-574cea196cc9&istItemId=xmxqqaxlia&istBid=t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Mr-0_TR1gIVwUAbCh2llAAtEAQYBSABEgLBwvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNL0lNj00dYCFVUg0woddXEEVg

As long as you keep the duck egg blue balanced with the white
it shouldn’t appear too cold. Being as it’s a small room, white will do good
and make it appear airy which you want really. I think grey could clash with
the feature wall so I would recommend duck egg blue on the walls if not white.
If you do go for the duck egg walls, then definitely incorporate some white in
the bedding and then duck egg blue and grey accessories. These cool shades will
do wonders for the size of the space.

Like the above suggestions, blinds will diffuse more light into the room as well. White wood effect would look lovely! It will compliment for the bedroom furniture for sure.
Samantha
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi forzaitalia that ocean ripple looks a lovely colour. I’ve seen a few images online with white bedding which look great. But they often have much more space to play with and either colour on the walls or great warm wooden furniture. I wasn’t sure of adding white bedding to all the other white in my room.

I’m leaning towards a pale duck egg on the walls, cream/white bedding (I found these which might be nice https://www.therange.co.uk/bedding/duvet-covers/emma-quilted-duvet-set#161413).

Not too sure whether to go curtains or blinds yet. Currently leaning towards a plain duck egg curtain, perhaps a chenille type material?

Thanks Jasmine. That floating table is great. Do you think it might look a bit odd if I stuck with curtains, seeing as it will be directly under the window?
Sonia
6 years ago
Hi Samantha, liking that bedding, especially in white!
whizzywig
6 years ago
I like the idea of a platform bed over the bulkhead - a standard mattress is 1.9m long, so should fit in with ease. This would give you a lot more space in the middle of the room and a spot for a nicer bedside table/shelf. You could always get a footstool for your Mum ;) !
Ellie Telford
6 years ago
You want this room painting egg blue and rid off black or dark curtains change white thick curtains and white bed so stair roof you make bed height under the stair roof make you bigger room. Rid off cupboard. Long cupboard with slide. Fold the table and fold lamp table. Or white table bed with lamp.
User
6 years ago
Hi Samantha,

I think white wooden blinds would look fabulous with it. As
the bedroom is smaller in size, blinds would diffuse more light into the room
than curtains would. If you went for curtains that stop slightly above where
the floating shelf is then you could pull it off. If you could get short
curtains then that would be ideal. Is there space to fit a tie back/hold back
so you can pull the curtains away from the floating shelf?

The Ocean Ripple shade forzaitalia suggested looks a lovely
shade. Definitely try to get a sample if you can. I would suggest get a few
shades for samples. The Emma quilted set would look lovely with egg shell walls, pretty
and delicate.
Samantha
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi forzaitalia quite a pretty bedding set isn’t it

Lol whizzywig I can just see my mom now. Could be good for a laugh that lol.

I did recall another reason for removing the bunk – when we have children this will become a child’s room. The bunk was just too high for a small child to get in and out safely. Plus with it so close to the window I’d worry about them falling out in summer (it gets warm in there so the window is often opened to get a bit of air flow). If we’re still in this house I would consider putting in a bunk again when the child is old enough to use it safely.

Thanks Jasmine. That’s really helpful. I’m really liking the ideas. Going to have a search for payment colours. Will definitely have a look at blinds as well as curtains. Im pretty sure there’s room for a tie back. Going to see about ordering some fabric samples I think as well for cushions.

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