Tell me how to redecorate a small guest room

[Gagagardener]

The room is small (around 9ft 6in square). I don't want to change or paint the furniture, or to have cushions or throws that take up space at bedtime. Flat surfaces need to stay more or less clear, so that guests can see their own stuff. So that's new [must be blackout] curtains and paint or wallpaper.

Why do you want to redecorate? Is there a particular feel you want to achieve? Who stays most often?

I think I'd go for a nice dark green shade to tone with the carpet. What are the existing curtains like? It's a bit hard to tell from the pictures.

Even just some pictures on the walls would make it feel more comfy.

I need to redecorate it because it was last done in 2008. The wallpaper is faded and stained by damp. The curtains were bought in haste as blackouts for a light-sensitive grandchild - they were cheap, from Amazon, and are uninspired.

The window is hard to dress because there is a lot of wall above it, and it is not centred on the wall. (It used to have fullish floor length curtains until DGC decided the room had to be 'dark dark'.)

Its most frequent occupants are young grandchildren; there is a flop-out bed, just visible in the photo I think, so three can share the room. I put away teddies and children's books to get it ready for a friend who will arrive tmw, and I suddenly saw it through new eyes. I don't want a kiddy-dorm!

I think the curtain pole is too high and would be better if it was nearer the top of the window. Maybe 30cm higher than the top rather than what looks like a meter?
In terms of colours, peach is quite trendy at the moment and would be warm and cozy and would go with the greens you already have?
Maybe a pelmet would help with blocking out light and framing the window?
The window looks quite deep could you make a cushion for the window sill so it is like a reading nook?

I'd paint the back wall of the little alcove a darker colour as a feature, and maybe make the woodwork a non white colour. Keep the other walls light and neutral. Remove the mirror from the alcove.

Any chance you can do shutters on the windows? A couple of nice pictures either side of the window.

Will the door open and close if you put a radiator cover on?

Change the layout? Does the wardrobe fit where the bed currently is, and the bed head along the wall where the wardrobe is? Bed against the wall, so the side of it is under the alcove facing the window.

If you're not changing the carpet then a rug.

It's personal preference though.
I love to rearrange and redecorate, and it doesn't have to be forever - if you dont like a new layout you can change it.

Lamp also in the alcove, and you can scrap the bedside table all together. The lamp is fine, but I'd get a new shade. Don't be afraid of something a bit out there, it's replaceable.

Initially you need to push the headboard back to the wall and make the side of the bed neater. Maybe put a flat sheet under the mattress to create a ‘valance’. I know you said you don’t want to replace furniture but the bedside table is too deep and wide to fit in next to the radiator. This would be a cheap fix.
How about curtains and a colour scheme like this:
www.habitat.co.uk/product/7294503?gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=cpc&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20540496605&utm_content=shopping&utm_term=&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=785-748-9804&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671792394&gbraid=0AAAAABqA6lrEpCBpZ7CWuU4zkc57FvZWI&gclid=Cj0KCQiAo4TKBhDRARIsAGW29bfyFHVak1Eoh-d66g2YmtS1Z2wTVaThYc5B2KRUXSSAoTUphXTdFVYaArsyEALw_wcB

Also depends on budget.
I have non standard radiators and it really makes a big difference to the room. A thinner but deeper rad in a different style could really work here
Also changing light switches and visible plug sockets - add sockets with USB points. It'll make it more convenient for guests.

Something like this style. There's all sorts of colours now - you can match to sockets and switches. White also looks nice though.

This might give you some ideas around colours.
https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/gallery/small-bedroom-ideas
Eg.Pic 19 is colourful enough for kids, but would be sophisticated enough for adults. Curtains take up so much room in a small space, ditch them for a blind only. Have fun!

We colour drenched our guest bedroom (roughly 10 x 8') in Farrow & Ball Yeabridge Green, which imo makes the space appear larger - everything is painted the same colour except the floor. We inherited an ancient carpet that was fitted around a hideous 1970s DIY built-in bed/chest of drawers combo. Once we'd removed that we decided to paint the floorboards (Little Greene Lamp Black) as we prefer rugs to fitted carpets and laid a seagrass rug from John Lewis to add texture.

A rug would bring additional colour/pattern to your carpet and would be anchored by the bed if large enough.

We have a blackout blind but also hung dress curtains that we don't close as - again - these bring further interest to the room with its plain walls, but I agree your curtains are currently too high. Lots of colourful art and a big - antique - mirror add to our maximalist room. Our guest bed is also an antique, so it suits pretty bedding although we were careful to chose colours (turquoise, red and green) and patterns (a mix of giant gingham and contemporary florals) to hopefully suit any age of guest.

chatgpt suggestions. I asked for animal theme adult style wallpaper so it would appeal to your dgc and guests. The location of the bed may not work but it shows different use of colours. I would put a larger mirror in the alcove. Also if space is limited rechargeable lamps can be attached to a wall.

This might give you some ideas.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/14/dim-the-lights-add-a-trinket-tray-and-put-out-your-best-towels-how-to-spruce-up-your-spare-room?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

At the very least it needs lightening up with a rug.

I can see how the window is difficult to dress. You could add a roman blind outside of the recess and mount it a bit higher. I think the rule is add 30% of the window height.
This site has some advice:
https://www.jennasuedesign.com/how-to-make-windows-look-bigger

I would replace the carpet with something more neutral, perhaps an oatmeal colour, and replace the old fashioned chair with something more modern - the dark wood really doesn't go with the rest of the room.

I'd also paint the alcove a different colour to the walls and update the map (?) print with something nicer, perhaps botanical or floral. In fact, looking again I would not have a print in that spot at all, but get a bigger print or painting for above the radiator and perhaps a smaller co-ordinating one for inside the alcove.

Move the bed to the opposite wall or where the wardrobe is - having the head by the door is creepy to me 😁. It's also bad feng shui. I can't see the other bed?

Put the pillow under the throw.

Wallpaper, I'd go for greens - the wallpapers CHAT GPT suggested are spot on and I've seen similar in B&Q.

Agree with PP's roman blind idea for the window.

My even-smaller spare room has a small double bed, two-drawer bedside table on legs, a bamboo folding hanging rail. Also two Ikea bookcases as I ran out of room elsewhere. Walls are Dulux willow tree. Carpet is beige.

As it's a small room, the bookcases are sufficient wall interest. Other interest provided by ceiling lamp shade and bedding (no cushions).

Ditch the wardrobes if you can, if not get the wooden furniture in similar shades for more harmony. Roman blind, as said. Nice quality bed linen. Bedside table needs a lamp.

Obviously treat the damp before proceeding.

A bedside rug will create interest and break up the blankness of the carpet. Paint the wardrobes and bedside table, if you don’t want to replace them. Change the wardrobe handles. Agree with the suggestion to make a feature of the alcove. Don’t move the curtain rail: it gives height which is important in a small space, but maybe change the rail, which could use updating. An additional roman blind will add a horizontal to echo the alcove. Change the headboard or cover the existing one with a sheet of hardboard, wadding and fabric to match your new curtains. Consider adding shelving above the bed, but only if you need it. Otherwise art. And keep your art large. Larger formats biggen a small space. Paint the radiator to match the wall and add a radiator shelf. Or put in a radiator cover. Try not to have the waste bin the first thing you see in the room. Do they really need one? Put a nice cushion on the chair. Oh, and ETA, change the plug socket in the alcove for a newer style and with USB points. Maximum convenience for a very small cost and your young guests will love you.

I assume bed is where is it so you can walk around both sides and access window? If so can you move bedside table and lamp over to the other side of bed? It then looks clearer on entry and you have more floor space if you need fold out bed for grandkids.

You could maybe add a radiator cover or small radiator shelf to give more surface space for guests to put down essentials ie water/ keys/ phone/ glasses

I actually love it the way it is

@Gagagardener May I ask about the picture on the wall please - is it Narnia? Where is it from? Thanks ☺️

Yes, it is Narnia. A present to my daughter more than 30 years ago!

I'd be tempted to fit the curtains inside the recess, with a swish rail attached to the top, but it would mean paying for made to measure curtains.

Thanks to all who have offered suggestions. I have turned the bed through 90 degrees. It is 4ft wide, as is the window embrasure, so I have positioned it exactly in front.

I very much liked the feature wallpaper idea. The suggestions to update sockets and curtain rail are good. I'll get a Roman blind and nice dress curtains, I think, as well as a tailored valance. The chair is Regency or early Victorian mahogany, but it is too large. I'll rehome it downstairs and perhaps look for a nice stool; I am also considering a radiator cover and/or resiting radiator further into the room. The bedhead has to stay; it's part of the bedstead rather than a headboard.

No cushions and throws because although they look lovely in photos, in a small room they end up on the floor at bedtime. And when I laid a towel on the floor to simulate a rug, it made the space seem smaller. @Calmontheoutsider @Caspianberg @DaisyYellowGold @Finchleee @Franklet @friedaddedchilli @Geneticsbunny @SockBanana @TheTowerAtMidnight @whymadam @LibertyLily @whymadam

Please please please put a lamp on both sides. That is the only guestroom essential imo

Sorry, not read all the posts, but could the bed go under the alcove on the opposite wall? You could have the bedside lights in there and make a feature of it.

The little chain on the mirror in the alcove is a pull switch to operate its 'illuminate' function. So there is a lamp on that side. The only visitors I suggest share the 4ft bed are children, not couples.