With the holidays fast approaching, inevitably, even if you’re not planning on standing as host this year, you can expect at least a handful of pop-up overnight guests. While most households initially start off with one room in the home being designated as a “guest room” for said pop-up guests, the addition of family members, home offices and exercise rooms eventually claim those spaces.
The result is usually some shuffling to accommodate guests when they do visit, like having the kids stay on the couch while relatives stay in their rooms for a few days. But how convenient would it be if those sleeping rearrangements didn’t have to be made every time a guest was over? What if you could keep the rooms in your home as they are for their intended use—be it an office, exercise room or bedroom—and still have a designated space for guests to retreat? It would be great!
As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, your basement is a great space to be converted when it is available and would most definitely make an ideal guest suite. By adding a functioning bathroom, proper lighting, a sufficient cooling and heating system and lastly, appealing décor, you can have your own little “in-law suite” right below you!
For today’s post, we wanted to highlight some ideas to make your guest suite as appealing as a luxury hotel.
Adding in a Coffee Bar and Snack Fridge
Give your guests a great start in the morning by building in a coffee bar with a snack fridge. This not only provides your guests with a nice way to start the day, it allows them to stock the fridge with the things that they like to eat and drink or with leftovers.
Leave More than the Bathroom Basics
Bathroom basics for guests should include a fresh towel and washcloth, plenty of toilet paper, and tissues. But by leaving travel-sized versions of things such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste, you have it covered in case your guests forget a toiletry or two!
Insulate Overhead to Muffle Sound
Ceilings and floors need special attention in basement bedrooms. To minimize the sound of footsteps overhead, install fiberglass insulation between the ceiling joists, then finish the ceiling. A fully insulated floor may not be necessary, but cover the concrete with carpeting to increase the room’s comfort quotient. Use a rubber pad; foam pads may deteriorate with prolonged exposure to humidity.
Emergency Exit
An operable window that looks out into a window well satisfies the need for an emergency exit in this basement bedroom. Of course, a stairwell leading up to double-doors to the outside is the optimal exit from a basement.
Opt for Twin Beds
Twin beds offer flexibility for the guest suite because they only require an area of about 10×15 feet to create a guest bedroom large enough for twin beds. Also, they will account for varied sleeping arrangements among guests.
Maximize Light with Mirrors
A guest suite in a walk-out basement has more light than in a standard below-grade basement, but direct light may still be limited by overhanging decks or upper floors of the house. To make the most of the natural light that filters through, large mirrors can be used to reflect the light and make the space seem larger.
Choose Moisture-Resistant Flooring
Engineered wood, made with a hardwood veneer glued to one or two layers of softwood, is a good option for basements because it shrinks and expands less than solid wood flooring. Engineered wood can be installed over many kinds of substrates and resists moisture and spills. Laminates are another option for achieving a wood look in a basement bedroom. They’re durable, moisture- and stain-resistant, and can be installed over a variety of substrates. In addition, vinyl plank tiles that look like wood grain are a great option for the look of hardwood, but the versatility to clean up spills and moisture easily.
If you’re interested in converting a basement or other room into a guest suite, be sure to contact us and take advantage of a free estimate. With our TruYouDesign™ process, we can help you decide what’s best for your needs and your budget.
*image: Thinkstock