This is the tiny guest room at the end of the hallway in my house. It started off as an ugly room with paneling and a paint job that was old and worn. It sorely needed a new coat of paint, and since I didn't love the room to begin with, I felt brave enough to do something bold:
The room is seriously small - it really only fits a full size bed. Remembering that small rooms really can go dark, I took the plunge. And being that this is a guest room, I figured that it would only be occupied at night by occasional guests. It seemed a perfect opportunity to experiment with dark paint (I'm normally a strictly white paint girl).
The walls were painted in Iron Mountain from Benjamin Moore. The dark gray color made the paneling feel more solid. A four-post bed found at an antique shop was picked up for only $10. It had an ugly faux wood finish, which I covered with a black enamel that - much like the paneling - gave the bed more heft. To keep the rest of the small room from becoming too dark, I stuck with white bedding and a colorful quilt.
Window treatments are still coming - any suggestions?
Images: Regina Yunghans




Ercol Bar Stool
I would add some mirrors to enlarge the space a bit, white drapes on the windows perhaps. That color is great but dark so add as much white as you can so it doesnt seem dismal at night.
And maybe some plants..because plants make everything nice
I like it. I agree with tinypuppy - white drapes would look nice.
I like it too-- it's very serene and restful. I also agree with tinypuppy-- some ferns or other greenery would really add to the atmosphere.
Love it. How about curtains with a subtle pattern?
http://www.westelm.com/products/silk-paisley-window-panel-r920/?pkey=cprint-embellished-window-panels
Love the bed--I'm looking for one just like that.
I love the simplicity of this small room. The secret is it's strict editing of color and detail. I would add a white or better yet, boldly patterned shade in black and white mounted as high above the window as possible to draw the eye to the window. NO PLANTS!
I love the new look, and I agree that a leafy plant would really pop against that wall colour. However although I think the white window frame etc looks great and keeps the room looking really fresh, I think white curtains as well would make it look too monochrome.
I love that quilt on the bed, not only are the colours great but it totally saves the room from looking like a newspaper photograph. I think you could pick up one or more of the colours in a set of curtains.
I also agree with suggestions that you add a mirror, I think one with a decorative frame woud look great, and would be another opportunity for a little bit of colour (actually I think an old-gold coloured frame would really work)
Very nice, I recently painted my small hallway a similar colour with white trim. Love it! Love the quilt as well, it really softens the room. Consider using rusts and gold in accent colours in the bedding in small quantities? White drapes would really round it off. Well done!
Way to push yourself with the color selection! I think it turned out great! The drapes suggested by baba yaga would fit nicely with the sheer texture and simple embellishment.
And plants too.
My parents recently remodeled their upstairs to add more guest space for when all us kids are in town with our families. The resulting rooms are tiny, but a few little touches make them great guest rooms. They hung mirrors, small shelving at chest level, and tons of hooks. there is also a plain ladderback chair in the corner of each room. If you want to keep your guests in mind when decorating a guest room, empty space where they can lay, hang, and set their stuff is something that is extremely appreciated. And of course a mirror because your guest doesn't want to hog the bathroom checking their appearance. That's my random thought.
Looks great! I love the color choice and way to go with the $10 bed!
Other than the curtains mentioned by others, I would cover the comforter with a white duvet cover to make it look more finished, and I would add a couple of crisp, classic pillow shams (perhaps with a contrasty border around the edge?). I also agree with @Kandyce78 that a ladderback chair or something simple in design like that, plus some hooks would be nice for guests!
I completely agree with Kandyce on this. Having rented cottages several times a year, I can tell you that having hooks to hang one's clothes, as well as shelves or a dresser to put your stuff away out of sight is very welcome. Imagine you're visiting in your own guestroom, with a suitcase full of belongings. What would you do with them? Where would the suitcase be stored? Where would your glasses or jewelry go? A little forethought goes a long way to making guests feel welcome -- much more so than fancy soaps or gift bags found in domestic goddess websites.
As for accessories, perhaps you might add a touch of drama with a ceiling-to-floor organza curtain a color that really pops, like bright pink or lime green?
What about a graphic print (with a lot of white). I agree about hanging the drapes as high as possible. I think a white and yellow chevron pattern would pick up the colorful quilt and be a fun touch against the dark walls.
I would think that anything white, silver, or very light grey would look lovely. Love the paint colour!
I love it, it is very serene, calm and minimalist. If there is no need for curtains then I wouldn't add them, as for plants, yet another thing to take care of, so don't.
Looks great! One thing i would add, though it goes beyond painting, would be to remove the paneling at the risers of each step and put in a solid piece of wood that matches the floor. It's a subtle thing but it might extend the room into that entry area a bit, making the room feel a little bigger and less like you're stepping through a hole in the wall.
It's terrific - I like it just the way it is, especially with that traditional poster bed tho I'd definitiely add some side tables and lighting.
It's a tiny thing, but I would love to see the step fronts left white - it would give the entrance to the room a nice frame instead of just stepping into darkness - and it would provide a link to the hallway. Looks great!
Definitely agree about making the stair fronts either wood or white. Good going with a bold color choice on the walls!
perfect! love the stairs, too. what a great room, like a tiny little secret!
Beautiful! Normally I dislike dark rooms, but this one is so well done.
Even if there's no "need" for curtains, there's a psychological need, especially for guests who haven't the daily experience of seeing that there's nobody out there. They can be thin, semi-sheer if there really IS nobody to see, but I'd still put them up.
White gauzy curtains, soft and loose, is my vote.
Oh this is gorgeous! You did a fantastic job and should be proud of yourself! I also love the idea of white risers, it would be such an easy thing to try and if you don't like it, just paint it back! A sumptuous white duvet, an interesting piece of art, and you're all set! Good work!
lovely !