Once considered a luxury, the idea of a guest room office has become a necessity for many in a post-pandemic world as more people work from home regularly, or even permanently.
Whether you're repurposing a box room as a home office for guests, recently moved to enjoy the benefits of office space, or are looking for ways to create a small home office or bedroom office in an empty space in your home, these guest office ideas will inspire you. Designed with productivity in mind, these spaces are stylish and functional for your work-from-home needs.
Guest Office Ideas
Featuring practical home office storage solutions, handpicked home office paint colors, and enviable interior design schemes, these guest office ideas are sure to inspire your next guest bedroom remodel.
1. Create a calming space
(Image provided by: OKA)
“Not many people have a dedicated office space at home, so a guest room is the perfect alternative, providing a quiet, calm place to focus.”
“We recommend choosing a desk that can double as a vanity station, so you'll not only have a great space to work, but it also doubles as a handy surface when you have guests over,” says Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at OKA. “Then add in a few decorative pieces, like a statement lamp or some unique bookends. This will not only create a comfortable environment to work from, but it will also make the room look inviting when you have guests over.”
2. Give your guests options
(Image courtesy of Future/Mark Bolton)
This uncluttered space is perfect for catching up on emails, and even has a handy desk lamp for working in the evenings. Or you can sit back in a comfy armchair with your laptop on your lap. It's important to give your guests some options, especially if they're staying for a while.
3. Create a custom desk area
(Image credit: ND Studios/Helen Cathcart)
Away from the office, there are many home office desks and chairs to choose from that will match the architecture of your home. The choice of materials and colors of desks and chairs gives you a wide range of options.
“I like to offer guests a place to sit away from the bed, and I always include a comfy upholstered chair and place a table and lamp nearby to create a cute reading nook or spot to work,” says Natasha Dartnall, interior designer and founder of ND Studios.
(Image credit: Jessica Lagrange Interiors/Werner Straube)
Having a small space for work is a thoughtful way to welcome guests into your home who may drop by during the week. Since the office space is for temporary use, it doesn't need to be extravagant or elaborate. The main requirements are the essentials: a comfortable chair and a functional desk.
“We like to take it a step further and spruce up the space with things like fresh flowers and writing supplies,” says Jessica LaGrange, founder and principal designer of Jessica LaGrange Interiors.
5. Don't neglect decorating your guest room office
(Image courtesy of Karen B Wolf Interiors/Racquel Langworthy)
As more people work from home, home office design is becoming more important. It's important that the space not only suits your personal style, but also helps you be productive.
Karen B Wolf, creative principal at Karen B Wolf Interiors, agrees: “A great way to add interest to a guest room office space and make it look fashionable and unique is to add wide two-tone stripes.”
6. Create a cozy space with colorful accents
(Image courtesy of Benjamin Moore)
Our homes serve many purposes: a home office, a place to entertain and host guests, and even a personal sanctuary to relax and unwind, so creating a clean, uncluttered environment that feels warm and inviting is paramount. The warm minimalism trend does just that.
“The defining feature of minimalism is that it contrasts with a clean, less-is-more mentality,” says Helen Shaw, UK director at Benjamin Moore, “while warm minimalism allows you to incorporate elements of a homely feel into your scheme.”
7. Consider flexible lighting for your guests
(Image credit: Original BTC)
Good lighting in your home office will make working on a screen, or close-up if necessary, more comfortable and prevent eye strain – an important element for a guest office space.
“Clip lights are a flexible and easy way to illuminate key areas such as bookcases or fireplaces, and provide an instant solution for lighting temporary workspaces. They are easily movable, allowing you to transform your lighting scheme without the installation costs or need for an electrician,” says Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC.
8. Make your guest room a multipurpose space
(Image courtesy of Bee's Knee's Interior Design Studio/Kyle J Caldwell)
Turning a guest room into a home office or study can be a challenge, but if done right, it can be a great way to make the most of limited square footage.
“If you don't have the room for a dedicated enclosed space, you can borrow space from another area, such as a guest bedroom, to create a multi-purpose space,” says Mary Maloney, owner and principal of Beesnee's Interior Design.
9. Consider comfort, not just functionality
(Image courtesy of Kitesgrove)
A guest room office doesn't have to be formal or soulless — we enjoy expressing personality through layers of pattern and texture. Above all, comfort is key.
“Functionality doesn't have to come at the expense of comfort or aesthetics – the most important investment you can make in your workspace is a good chair,” says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove. “Choose something you love and that will support you all day.”
10. Inspire your guests’ creativity
(Image courtesy of Francesca's Paints/Artist Residence)
Your guest office should be a place where inspiration and creativity flow – and also a great opportunity to show off your logistical and decorating knowledge.
“This rustic guest room office space has it all, with a vintage desk, antique chair, and a cozy leather armchair in the corner,” says Melanie Griffith, editor of Period Living. “The bed has a super soft blanket for cooler nights and to drape over your shoulders when you're working late. And don't forget lighting: a good, space-saving desk lamp is a must.”
What if your office doubles as a guest room?
Turning an office into a guest room or vice versa isn't always easy, so we recommend scaling back or using appropriate bedroom colors and prioritizing which areas of the room to focus on.
Before designing your office space, think carefully about how you'll use each area of the room and what purpose they serve. When in doubt, you may need to call in a professional to help you.