Budget-friendly spare bedroom ideas

When it comes to decorating a spare room, it’s natural to want to keep costs down whilst creating an inviting space for guests, work or play. Let’s get creating…

Ah, the humble guest bedroom. Whether it’s used as a hub for hosting, home office or happy play times, spare room designs don’t have to be spendy and can still be lots of fun. These ideas for guest bedrooms will help you make the most of your extra space. The important thing is to create a space that suits your lifestyle and reflects the things that are most important to you, whether that’s having guests to stay or spreading out to enjoy your favourite hobby.

In this article, we’ll share inspiring spare bedroom ideas with tips for tight budgets, small spaces and much more.

1. Create a gorgeous guest suite

For those who regularly host, creating a guest bedroom is a great use of extra space.

Instantly transform a blank canvas into a cosy place to rest and recharge with the addition of a bed, and we’ve got plenty of options to choose from to keep costs down. You’ll be ready to welcome house guests and overnight guests in style!

If you’re working with a small spare room, choosing a bed with raised legs is a great way to create the illusion of space, drawing the eye upwards. Alternatively, if you’re seeking somewhere to keep spare bedding, blankets, cushions and more, our range of storage beds offers ample space to prevent unsightly clutter.

A stylish bedside table is a must for practicality, and perhaps a morning coffee for your guests. Bedroom lighting ideas are key here, too; consider soft table lamps for a welcoming glow or even space-saving ceiling lights if the room is compact.

To complete the ultimate cosy guest experience, it’s time to choose a spare bedroom mattress – and don’t worry, you don’t have to break the bank! Budget-friendly traditional springs are a great mattress choice for any bedroom, creating a springy, supportive base for guests to sink into.

Alternatively, our hybrid mattresses are low-cost way of putting comfort first, combining innovative memory foam, latex or gel with bouncy pocket springs. No matter what fillings you choose, a medium comfort grade is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, offering all round support for a range of sleep needs.

And don’t forget beautiful bedding. Think inviting layers of bedding to create a hotel-like feel, complete with cosy blankets. A small blanket box at the end of the bed can add a touch of elegance and extra storage. All these thoughtful bedroom layout ideas will maximise comfort for your guests.

2. Create an office for happy home working

With an estimated 44% of Britons now regularly working from home, creating an office space in your spare room can be a worthwhile investment.

The fabulous thing about a home office is that it can be completely personal to you and the way you like to work. For some, it’ll be all about having the ultimate tech set up, but for others, let your imagination run wild with cosy spaces that spark your creativity.

Speaking of… why not carve out a corner of your home office to relax and unwind with a comfy sofa bed? Stretch out between calls or take a moment of reflection at the end of a long day. The best part is, when guests come to call, it’s easy to transform your home office into an instant crash pad.

3. Spare bedroom ideas to suit your lifestyle

If you don’t regularly host or work from home, the world is your oyster when it comes to the spare room!

Let’s explore our favourite ideas for making the most of extra space. Why not try…

• A cosy snug with a soft and squishy armchair to curl up in. Create a mini library with overflowing bookshelves and ambient lighting for an instantly calming atmosphere.
• A glamorous dressing room with everything you need to start your day. Think spacious wardrobes decked out with all your favourite accessories.
• A high-tech gaming room for the ultimate hideout. Whether your style is dark and moody or fantastic technicolour, create a space to kick back with your console.
• A bright and sunny playroom for little ones to let loose! Try patterned wallpaper, handcrafted paper decorations and plenty of storage to keep clutter at bay. A day bed is a great addition for sleepovers or quiet play.

4. Decorating ideas for your spare room

When it comes to a spare bedroom, you have the opportunity to try new and emerging styles.

An extra bedroom comes with extra creativity – it’s your place to let loose and try any style that takes your fancy. As it’s a room you’re likely to use less often than your master suite, you can be experimental with colours and styles without worrying about becoming weary of them.

Why not go all out with atmospheric dark hues, or a stand-out statement wall? Though it can be tempting to play it safe, a bold and beautiful bed can do the heavy lifting for you when it comes to decorating a spare room. Texture also plays an important role here, from rich velvet to faux leather and characterful wood.

5. Spare bedroom colour ideas

The beauty of choosing colours for a spare room lies in its versatility. Are you aiming for tranquillity for house guests, or perhaps a vibrant, energising zone for creative pursuits? Your chosen colour palette can set the entire mood.

Serene sanctuaries for guests: If your primary goal is a welcoming space, consider a calm colour palette. Soft, muted neutrals like dove grey, warm beige, or creamy off-whites create an instantly soothing backdrop. For a touch more personality, consider gentle greens inspired by nature, like sage or the ever-popular soft blue walls, known for their restful qualities. These shades work beautifully with natural light, enhancing the sense of space and peace, ensuring your overnight guests feel at ease.

Dare to go dark and dramatic: A deep, sophisticated dark blue or a rich forest green can create an incredibly cosy and enveloping atmosphere, perfect for a snug or a grown-up guest retreat. If painting all four walls feels too bold, an accent wall in a dramatic hue can provide that impactful punch.

Energising hues for work and play: For spare rooms designated as home offices, playrooms, or hobby spaces, don’t be afraid to inject a burst of colour. Uplifting yellows can spark creativity, while vibrant oranges can bring energy. Consider a playful block of colour on one wall or use accessories to introduce brighter shades against a more neutral background. A fresh coat of paint in an inspiring shade can make all the difference to your motivation or a child’s imaginative play.

Whether you opt for a full room refresh or decide to highlight architectural features with a contrasting shade, paint is one of the most affordable decor items to completely alter the feel of your bedroom space. When selecting your colours, consider the amount of natural light the room receives, the existing furniture pieces you plan to use, and the overall feeling you want to evoke. Whether it’s a calming oasis or a vibrant hub, the right bedroom colours will form the foundation of your spare room.

If you need a hand with choosing colours, let our interactive Colour Wheel guide you to harmonious bedroom palettes.

1. Save on size: If space and pennies are at a premium, why not consider a small double bed? Also known as a queen size frame, these 4-foot beds give guests plenty of room for a great night’s sleep without taking up precious floorspace.

Many of our small double beds still come with storage to keep clutter at a minimum, or why not try a budget-friendly divan base with built-in drawers?

2. Second hand treasures: We don’t need to tell you that you can pick up a bargain when you shop second hand, but have you considered second hand paint?

Try your local recycling centre to take your pick of perfectly good paint that’s ready to transform your spare room. Alternatively, why not pick up some testers at your local DIY shop to create funky wall art? A simple lick of paint is often the most transformative yet affordable update you can make. Whether it’s a full fresh coat or just touching up existing paintwork, the impact is huge.

3. Beautiful bedding: One easy way to avoid replacing a spare bed is to bring an old frame to life with brand new bedding.

Plump pillows and a fresh bouncy duvet will instantly transform any tired frame, and we think your guests will thank you for it too…

4. Skip the bedsides: For lesser-used spare bedrooms, you can be tactical about what furniture you need to save space and spending.

One simple swap is to add floating shelves in the place of bedside tables. This gives guests plenty of space to store the essentials and helps to navigate any tricky floorplans too.

5. Greenery goes a long way: Real or faux, plants can bring a room to life with a burst of colour – plus they’ve got sleep-boosting qualities too.

Plants are naturally calming to give guests a great night’s rest and create the sense of a carefully curated and well-loved space with minimal effort.

So there you have it! All the inspiration you need to create the spare room of your dreams. If you’re looking for more interior ideas by colour or style, browse our full range of articles to feed your imagination. You can shop any of the beautiful bed frames featured in this post below.