Costco Connection - July 2010

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A room with two views

WHEN IT COMES to setting up a space to accommodate guests, most of us don’t have that coveted spare room. But as the story “Guest-room guidance” on page 43 explains, pulling out a worn hide-a-bed doesn’t feel very welcoming to guests unless they’ve been living in a college dorm.

For the once-in-a-while guest room that spends its days as a home office, den or even a child’s bedroom, the secret is to incorporate furniture that can do double duty.

Probably the most important item in any guest room is a comfortable place to sleep. Traditional solutions include a fold-out sofa bed or a futon. Today’s sofa bed has taken on a new twist with the versatile Euro Lounger (see Buyer’s Pick, page 44). In its everyday use when you are guestless, it’s a stylish sofa for a den or office. When guests arrive, a quick fold-down turns it into a bed, capable of sleeping two.

Furniture designers have been tuned into the need for multiuse furniture for some time, probably because nearly everyone needs the extra storage. For example, many ottomans and benches now have removable tops—a perfect space to stash extra bedding.

Media stands are another example of furniture manufacturers responding to a trend. As the size and number of TV sets per household continues to grow, the versatility of media consoles has expanded. Not only do they hold a big-screen TV, DVR and other electronic equipment, but many have drawers and shelves that could easily accommodate a guest’s clothing or personal items.

To separate a guest space from the rest of a room, consider a wall unit or bookcase— but be sure it’s finished on the back. The shelves or cubby holes (some now include slide-in baskets) can be used for storage as well as for display.

For guest rooms that also double as home offices, try to keep clutter down with plenty of storage. Some workstation units let you hide the computer behind closed doors. Speaking of clutter, this is probably the biggest bane to creating a comfort zone for guests, or even for one’s family. Here again, multiuse furniture can come to the rescue. A traditional-looking coffee table can fulfill its normal functions (snack table, footrest), but, with sectional pieces that lift up or pull or fold out, can also provide extra storage.

With the help of multipurpose furniture, a bit of creativity and thinking like a bed-and-breakfast owner, anyone can transform his or her space into a functional and pleasing retreat for guests.—Anita Thompson