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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Convertible Nursery and Guest Room

Sometimes it is not feasible to create both a nursery and a guest room, so homeowners are forced to combine the two for a convertible nursery and guest room. There are a few different ways to create a room that serves both purposes, but style and comfort should never have to be sacrificed to create suitable and trendy sleeping accommodations for baby and guests alike. The best choice for your space normally depends on the size of the room, availability of resources, decor, and similar issues.
Sleeping Arrangements For Everyone
The biggest issue in the convertible nursery and guest room is often providing a comfortable place to sleep without creating a mismatched style in the room. Choosing hodge-podge pieces, such as a black modern crib for baby with a foldout sofa in a floral pattern for guests, gives the room a thrift store look. Choosing pieces that coordinate will give the room a more finished feel, and a sense of style goes a long way even if the pieces are not very expensive.

 For example, choose a crib and headboard with the same wood finish. Add accessories for storage that have the same wood finish, and coordinate the colors in the room to create a fashionable and comfortable sleeping space for everyone who shares the room.

Storage When Space Is Shared
Storage is another problem area when you design a multi-use room, as everyone needs a bit of space for personal items. Babies require a lot of accessories, but even the occasional guest will need a place for toiletries and a few personal items. The answer is often found in closet organization, under-bed storage, and even closet-door storage ideas.
Make sure that baby's needs are your number one priority, since your little one will be in the room all of the time and guests are often only occasional visitors. Once that is accomplished, use other methods to offer some storage to guests, through a variety of methods. You can save a drawer in a chest of drawers, a shelf in the closet, or a night stand drawer for guest use, or offer a footlocker at the foot of the bed for more storage space. Accessories that offer storage, such as a small table top that can hold small items, are other ways to give an occasional guess a place to tuck jewelry, phone chargers and the like.
Lighting Concerns
Finally, lighting is a concern that not everyone thinks about initially. Babies are often scared by bright lights, and they are off limits during nighttime feedings if you want your little one to go back to sleep. Turning on a bright light for feedings would disturb your guest as well. The solution is usually lighting that is appropriate for day or night use, such as fixtures that have dimmer switches.
The convertible nursery and guest room needs a lamp, sometimes two, so that caregivers can take care of nighttime needs without disturbing guests, and guests still have some light to get ready for bed at the appropriate time.
Alyssa Davis writes for Metal-Wall-Art.com and is a specialist in creating unique interiors with metal kitchen wall art and turtle metal wall art.
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