Guest Room Reveal

A Budget-Friendly Transformation

The wait is finally over! I am so excited to share my guest room reveal with you all.

As I mentioned in my previous posts, the room was mostly finished right before I welcomed my niece for a month-long stay. Since I didn’t want to disrupt her visit with cameras and tripods, I’ve been holding onto these photos—but today, I’m finally opening the door to show you the results!

Vision vs. Reality: The Mood Board

Every great project starts with a plan. Here is the mood board I created for the space. Looking at the finished room, I’m thrilled that I stayed on track. I ended up with a look that is exactly what I envisioned: cozy, functional, and full of character.

The "Before": Dark and Dated

Before we dive into the new look, let’s take a quick look at where we started. (Note: My apologies for the blurry photos; there was almost no natural light in here!) 

Previously, the room was dominated by a massive desk that we simply didn't use anymore. It felt more like a cluttered storage space for old computers than an inviting bedroom. I knew I wanted to ditch the "office first" vibe and transform it into a guest room with a small, integrated office space.

The Power of Paint and Light

The biggest transformation came from a single can of paint. While I liked the original brown, switching to Behr Off-White was like night and day. 

The room instantly felt three times larger and infinitely brighter.

To enhance that airy feeling, I replaced the old window treatments. (More about that "monstrosity" of window treatment HERE).

• New Curtains: A beautiful find from Home Goods.

• The Roman Shade: I kept the original shade but gave it a DIY update using a drop cloth and ribbon for a custom, high-end look.

The before-right-side in all its brown glory:

And the after:

Smart Storage & Thrifted Treasures

This entire makeover was done on a budget, utilizing items I already owned and gems found at thrift stores and flea markets.

• The Bookcase: I moved this in from the family room. It’s styled with flea market bottles and a vintage red Ikea box.

• The Wooden Organizer: This metal-drawer unit was a Home Goods score, purchased with a gift card I won from Kim (thanks again, Kim!).

The red lamps were a re-purposed project.

• Wall Decor: The wooden rack and the wagon on top of the crates were both $1 flea market finds.

One of my favorite DIYs in this corner? The wine crates. A gift from a friend, I spruced them up with drop cloth backings and added wooden dividers to make the storage more functional.

The Small Office Nook

Since we still needed a workspace, I curated a "mini-office" that doesn't overwhelm the room. 

I used an old window to create a memo board and gave the desk a complete makeover. The chair, which was previously ripped and headed for the trash, got a second life with a rustic coffee-sack upholstery.

Details That Make the Room

They say it’s all in the details, and this room is proof:

• The Lighting: This fixture was a $13 flea market find. It draws the eye upward to the ceiling, making the small footprint feel much larger.

• The Flooring: I opted for a painted floor to keep the space feeling cohesive and bright.

The Focal Point: The DIY Daybed

The star of the show is definitely the daybed. This was a true "labor of love" project built using:

• An old box spring

• A repurposed crib

• Table legs

• Drawers from a train table

You can read the full DIY Daybed Tutorial HERE.

• The Bedding: I love the mix of textures here. The white cotton coverlet was a $6 thrift find, and I created the decorative pillows from a $3 Target body pillow and vintage burlap rice sacks.

• The mirror is another DIY project that anchors the entire space.

It provides the perfect spot for guests to lounge or sleep, with plenty of built-in storage underneath. 

Final Thoughts

It was a very busy two weeks leading up to my guest’s arrival, but seeing how much my niece enjoyed her stay made every DIY project worth it. 

This room is proof that you don't need a huge budget to create a beautiful, welcoming space—just a little paint, some thrifted finds, and a lot of imagination!

More about this room:
How the room looked before, right HERE.
The direction I wanted to give to this room HERE.
Painted Designs on Floor, right HERE.
Diy Daybed from spring box
Old Lamps transformed
Office chair makeover
Old window memo board
Diy Round Mirror
Tripod Side Table
Table Makeover
Blackout curtains