COMBINING A GUEST ROOM AND HOME OFFICE

A GUEST ROOM/HOME OFFICE COMBO

QUESTION: How do you create a home office that also doubles as a guest room?

By JENNY BAKER The Winchester Star

With the increase in teleworking, many homeowners are in need of a home office. Typically, a guest bedroom gets tasked with this purpose. But what if you still need the space for outof-town guests from time-to-time? Likely, you’ll have to consid er combining the two separate needs into one room: a guest room/home office hybrid.

Since office space is hardly cozy, and a bedroom is hard to do work in, marrying the two extremes and their unique needs is a tough challenge. Ruth Truman of Ruth Truman Interiors in Winchester shares some helpful tips on how to make the two spaces one:

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How much space are you working with? “When designing any room it is most important to know the size of your space,” said Truman. She recommends to first measure the room you are using as the guest/office space, and then hop on the web and use a free online room layout program to help you accurately space plan your room. “These programs are easy to use and you can quickly draw your room and size in each piece of furniture. This is especially critical when you are combining two spaces like a guest and office in one,” she said.

Furniture planning: The bed Next, keeping in mind your space planning and layout, head to the shops for furniture and take your measurements with you. “Furniture in a store always looks smaller than in your house. When creating a space that will be used for two purposes you need to know your needs. How much desk space will you be needing? Will a twin size sleeping area be large enough or do you need a space that allows two people to sleep? In a very small space this can get tricky,” said Truman. She recommends buying a daybed with a trundle underneath, as it is a great way to maximize space in a small room plus it has the ability for two people to room together if needed. “If at some point you decide you don’t need the extra mattress under the trundle then this space can be a great large storage space for the blankets and bedding or even for office books and supplies,” she said.

Furniture planning: The desk “There are a couple creative ways to have a desk space. I love a roll top desk where you can be able to hide the clutter quickly. There are also shelves that have a desk surface built-in,” said Truman. “These provide a nice storage space for books and then additionally a desk surface. If you have a long blank wall you could have a custom built-in made where you could incorporate upper cabinets and bookcases and a desk built in as well. This would allow for you to fully maximize the vertical space.”

Decor, lighting, and more After the necessary furniture is purchased, it’s now time to make the space cozy and inviting. “Add a basket with blankets. It’s nice to have a variety of pillow firmnesses for guests. Remembering that this is not only your office but guest space as well,” said Truman. Other consider ations include lighting. Since it’s a functional space but also a sleeping environment, you’ll need multiple sources of light. “Warm white light bulbs are essential for lamps near the sleeping area. Brighter light bulbs can be added to a desk lamp for functional needs. Consider putting a dimmer switch on the overhead lighting to allow a more relaxed mood,” she recommended.