How to Design a Guest Room That Doubles as a Home Office
Start with Multi-Functional Furniture
The star of this room is the full-size Murphy bed, seamlessly built into custom millwork. When folded up, it reads as a beautifully paneled wall with picture lights and art — but when guests arrive, it folds down easily into a cozy sleeping setup.
Across from the bed, a built-in desk with wide work surface and overhead storage provides a dedicated workspace that doesn’t feel cramped or make-shift.
Why it works:
The Murphy bed allows the room to instantly shift between “work mode” and “guest mode”
Closed cabinetry keeps the workspace tidy and distraction-free
Integrated features like lights and art create a lived-in, designer look
Homzie Tip: Look for a Murphy bed with clean lines and concealed hardware so it blends into the room when not in use.
Color Drenching Creates Visual Calm
Instead of fighting with the layout, this design embraces it with a bold yet soothing color-drenching strategy. The walls, ceiling, trim, and even built-ins are all painted in Sherwin-Williams Taiga — a rich, muted green that gives the room depth and softness.
Why it works:
Monochromatic color schemes help small or multi-use spaces feel more cohesive. Here, the green wraps the entire room, making the built-ins and Murphy bed feel fully integrated — not like add-ons.
Homzie Tip: If you’re worried dark colors will make a room feel smaller, pair them with light-toned wood, soft neutral textiles, and lots of natural light to keep things balanced.
Maximize Every Inch Without Overcrowding
When space is at a premium, every element needs to work hard. In this design, we layered in:
A built-in dog crate that doubles as a side table
Wide drawers under the desk for functional file or tech storage
Vertical display space for art and decor to add personality without clutter
A slim Roman shade for softness and privacy without bulk
Everything in the room has a purpose, but it still feels calm and breathable.
Homzie Tip: Furniture that serves more than one purpose (like the dog crate table or Murphy bed) is a smart way to optimize square footage without compromising style.
Style It Like a Room, Not Just a Workspace
Just because a room is working hard doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. This space feels intentionally designed with:
Mixed materials: brass, ceramic, linen, natural wood
Collected styling: vintage-style art, woven lamp shade, framed black-and-white photos
Layers of texture: flatweave rug, boucle throw pillow, velvet desk chair
Why it works:
Instead of letting the “office” part dominate, the room leans into warmth and softness — so even when the bed is stowed away, it still feels like a well-designed room.
Homzie Tip: Treat every surface like you would in a living room — add lamps, art, textiles, and styling objects to make it feel curated and cozy.