Maximising the Use of your Guest Bedroom: A Multi-Functional Approach to Northern Beaches Living

Guest bedrooms are a luxury many of us cherish, yet their full potential often goes unrealised. These spaces frequently become underutilised storage rooms or sit idle, waiting for occasional visitors. However, with thoughtful design and a little creativity, you can turn your guest bedroom into a multi-functional space that serves your needs year-round while still providing a warm and welcoming retreat for guests.

Here’s how to maximise space and functionality in your guest bedroom.

woman adjusting the curtains in bedroom in Manly NSW

1. Start with Purposeful Planning

Before getting into design ideas, consider how you want to use the space when it’s not hosting guests. Is it a home office, a hobby room, a fitness zone, a secondary media room, or simply a quiet nook for reading and relaxation away from the rest of the home? Defining secondary functions allows you to make intentional design choices that align with your lifestyle.

woman pulling down a murphy bed — Photo credit – https://www.instagram.com/hidestudiointeriors

2. Embrace Multi-Functional Furniture

The right furniture can be a game-changer in maximising a guest bedroom’s utility. Invest in pieces that serve dual purposes:

Sofa Beds or Daybeds: These allow the room to transition effortlessly between a lounge or workspace during the day and a cosy guest room at night, but be sure to invest in comfort!

Murphy Beds: Wall-mounted fold-down beds free up valuable floor space when not in use. Modern designs integrate with bookshelves or desks for added functionality.
Ottomans and Benches with Storage: Use these for extra seating, footrests, or hidden storage for bedding and guest essentials.

3. Custom Joinery for Smart Storage

Storage is often at a premium in smaller spaces, but custom joinery can create a polished and practical solution. Consider built-in wardrobes, window seats with hidden storage, or floating shelves to keep the room uncluttered.

If a sofa bed just won’t cut it, and the budget won’t stretch to a Murphy bed, simply adding power to the inside of a built in wardrobe with pocket doors will provide the option of a dual use guest and TV room.

At Orli Interiors, we specialise in designing bespoke storage solutions that balance aesthetics with practical functionality, ensuring your space remains both beautiful and purposeful.

space saving cabinetry — Photo credit – https://www.instagram.com/leibal

4. Optimise Layout for Dual Use

When designing a multi-functional guest bedroom, the layout is key.

Foldable Desks or Drop-Leaf Tables: These can be tucked away when not in use, preserving valuable floor space.

Room Dividers: If privacy or a stronger sense of separation is needed, lightweight screens or shelving units can act as practical dividers, or be used to visually section off areas or hide items when not in use.
Doors and Windows: Their size and location have a big impact on a room’s layout so consider them carefully if planning a new build or renovation. It’s worth getting a second opinion on your plans from an Interior Designer to ensure you have thought of all the options.

5. Neutral Yet Inviting Decor

A guest bedroom should appeal to various tastes while feeling homey. Opt for a neutral colour palette with warm undertones – think soft greys, creams, coastal blues or subtle green tones that evoke the serenity of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Layer in textures like loose weave throws, linen bedding, and a mix of cushions for contrast and comfort.

When decorating, focus on timeless pieces that don’t clash with the room’s secondary function. For example, a sleek, minimal desk lamp can double as a bedside light.

Styled coastal bedroom in an interior designed apartment in Manly NSW

6. Add Personal Touches for Guests

Though the space will primarily serve your needs, it’s essential to make your guests feel valued. Keep these touches at the ready:

A tray with travel-sized toiletries.
Fresh towels and a robe.
Space in the wardrobe with a few hangers.
A small welcome note or a book about local attractions.
A device charger

These thoughtful additions can be stored neatly in stylish baskets or behind closed cabinetry when not in use.

desk and day bed in a spare room — Photo Credit – deskhive

7. Light It Right

Lighting can transform a small space, making it feel more expansive and multi-functional.

Layered Lighting: Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to suit different uses of the room.
Natural Light: Sheer curtains or blinds allow daylight to flood the room while maintaining privacy. Add a mirror to reflect light and create the illusion of more space.

8. Greenery for a Fresh Touch

Plants breathe life into any room. Opt for low-maintenance greenery such as a snake plant or a peace lily, which improve air quality and add a sense of calm. Place them strategically on shelves or in corners to soften the room’s edges.

9. Be Clever with Storage Accessories

Incorporate storage solutions that blend seamlessly into the decor:

Use under-bed storage for seasonal items or guest bedding.
Install hooks or pegboards on walls for hanging bags, scarves, or hats.
Stack decorative boxes on shelves to hide smaller items.

10. Make it Feel Spacious

To make the room feel bigger, keep clutter to a minimum and stick to a cohesive colour scheme. Use vertical space to your advantage with tall bookshelves or hanging decor. Avoid heavy furniture and instead opt for lighter, streamlined designs.

Guest Bedroom Checklist:

Beach front apartment bedroom after a full renovation in Manly NSW

1. Essentials that make guests exhale

Layered lighting: a soft ceiling glow + dimmable bedside lamps so guests can read, unwind, and not trip over their overnight bag.
Hotel-weight linen: crisp percale sheets with a lightweight quilt; looks tailored, feels relaxed.
Blackout + sheer combo: double rollers or lined curtains for lazy sleep-ins and daytime softness.
The 3-pillow rule: two plush, one support; it photographs beautifully and suits different sleepers.
A proper mattress topper: the quickest way to turn a “spare bed” into a “so glad we stayed” bed.

black panel feature wall in an interior designed bedroom in Manly Vale NSW

2. Thoughtful touches (the things people remember)

Bedside power & USB-C: no crawling behind furniture; a tidy outlet on each side is pure kindness.
A small carafe + glasses: late-night water without the kitchen trek.
Scent cue: a quiet, coastal-clean candle or room spray you can mist before arrival (never too perfumey).
Luggage perch: a woven bench or fold-away rack so bags don’t live on the bed.
The mini-guide: a card with wi-fi, coffee spots, and your favourite Northern Beaches walk.

Coastal bedroom interior designed and styled in Manly, Northern Beaches, Sydney

3. Furniture & layout we specify often

Upholstered bedhead in a calm, coastal weave: soft on the eye and comfortable for reading.
Slimline bedside tables with a drawer: hide the bits, keep surfaces clear.
A narrow console + mirror: doubles as a petite dressing table without crowding the room.
Full-length mirror on the back of the door: essential, invisible footprint.
Wall hooks behind the door: robes, tote, done.

4. Finishes that feel quietly luxurious

Neutral, textured palette: warm whites, soft oat, muted clay; relaxed coastal without clichés.
Wool rug underfoot: a medium pile that softens acoustics and mornings.
Sheer linen drapes: filter that Northern Beaches light beautifully.
Timber detail: an oak frame or tray to warm up crisp bedding.
One grounded artwork: something serene, not busy; think horizon lines or abstract sand tones.

Textured elements in a interior designed bedroom in Manly Vale, NSW

5. Styling: five-minute layer list

Throw with weight: a knitted or boucle throw at the foot makes the whole bed feel considered.
Fresh stems: a single variety in a small vessel (olives, gum, hydrangea when in season).
Tray moment: remote, water, a tiny dish for jewellery; keeps surfaces calm.
Hardback + notepad: a thoughtful touch for slow mornings.
Signature cushion pair: two 55cm squares in a textured fabric; no mountain of pillows to wrangle.

6. For compact guest rooms

Wall-mounted sconces: free up bedside space and look tailored.
Shallow shelf in lieu of tables: power beneath, keeps things light.
Pocket door or barn track: gains precious floor space if the plan allows.
Pale walls, darker bedhead: depth without shrinking the room

7. Small luxuries we never skip

Quality hangers + spare pillow in the robe – signals care.
Phone ledge near power: a tiny joinery detail guests will love.
Silent ceiling fan: soft breeze on warm nights; pairs well with screened windows.
A chic woven laundry bag: encourages tidiness without saying a word.

Bedroom in Manly NSW - coastal styling and custom cabinetry

Bringing It All Together

We believe in creating spaces that truly reflect your lifestyle while offering practicality and elegance. By reimagining your guest bedroom as a multifunctional space, you can maximise its potential and create an environment that enhances daily living. From custom joinery to tailored furniture selections, our expertise ensures every square metre works beautifully for you and your guests.

If you’re ready to transform your home, contact us at Orli Interiors for a consultation. Together we can create a guest bedroom that’s as functional as it is fabulous.