Now that summer's in full swing, many of us are taking advantage of the warm weather to visit our family and friends. Reunions can be fun, but sometimes your house can feel cramped with all those guests under one roof. This is where a guest house or even a guest suite comes in handy. Entertaining family can be less stressful when everyone has their own space.
Plus, guest houses can be used as additional income when you aren't hosting family. You can easily rent out these spaces to vacationers in the area, all while increasing your property value. When designing a place for guests, functionality is key, so we've assembled five simple tips to keep in mind when remodeling your guest house.
Keep It Simple
Daroca Attar matte/satin porcelain by Emser Tile
One of the most important things to consider when remodeling your guest house is what the space will function as. Ask yourself the big questions like how many rooms do you need? Who will be hosted here? Evaluate your square footage and recognize the essential functions of a guest house. These typically include a separate bathroom, bedroom, and living space for the guests.
Maybe, you don't have the property to build an entirely separate guest house. You can still design a separate unit like a single guest room loft or a basement guest suite. The most important thing is establishing a clear line between your space and the guests' to increase privacy. This tends to help guests feel more comfortable when they have an area of their own —and it keeps them out of your hair when you just need some time to yourself.
Design a Guest Bathroom with Amenities
Technique Carbon Matte/Satin Porcelain by Emser Tile
It's always a bright idea to have a bathroom that's designated just for guests. Guest bathrooms are great in theory, but in practice, they usually require a lot of amenities. These include the basics like towels, a shower, and some soap. Sometimes an open concept layout with the bedroom and the bathroom connected can save space and make your suite user-friendly for all ages. Consider putting together a basket of toiletries with various sundries like shampoo, conditioner, cotton balls, and toothpaste because we all know someone will forget a toothbrush.
Choose Practical Floors
Coretec 5 luxury vinyl flooring
Conceivably one of the most critical elements in your guest house is the floors. It's always safest to install a durable floor throughout the guest suite so that you don't have to worry about spills or guests tracking in dirt from outside. Installing the same floor throughout the entire guest home also keeps the space cohesive and helps carry a similar design theme across the home. Luxury vinyl planks and tiles are great for guest houses as they tend to be less expensive than their natural hardwood or stone counterparts. Luxury vinyl is pretty easy to install and can withstand all types of messes, so you can rest easy knowing that your floors are protected.
Create a Space for Relax and Reprieve
Graber solar sliding panel
Every great guest suite should have ample room for guests to escape to for a relaxing moment. Having a private bubble to relax in is crucial for any getaway, no matter how short. Plus, this can double as an extra living space and a place to find some serenity when you want to duck away from your own family house.
Consider Adding a Kitchen Space
Havana White Matte/Satin Ceramic Emser Tile
Cooking for a whole group of guests is exciting for a couple of nights, but it gets to be overwhelming when you are responsible for three meals a day. Install a kitchen or kitchenette in your guesthouse so that your extended family and friends can take over some of their own food prep. Additional kitchen space is also useful around the holidays when you're cooking large feasts or hosting dinner parties, as you can use the extra refrigerator and oven space to your advantage.
Show us how you've remodeled your guest houses and suites, and incorporate some of these valuable tips!
