Converting a Kid’s Room to a Guest Room: A Step-by-Step Guide
It won’t be easy, but it’s time. Converting a kid’s room to a guest room is a task that no mother looks forward to doing, but with this step-by-step guide, you’ll start a new chapter just like your adult child has.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Handling the Emotions
It’s hard, I get it. I have done this three times. Six, if you count that each of them came back home once. It didn’t get any easier.
It’s our job as parents to help them reach this milestone, but no one ever told us it would be this hard.
But I survived, and so will you. I pinky promise.
Dealing with the emotions is the hard part. The stuff left in their room is physical. It’s the memories attached to it that can be tough to navigate.
So how do you do it?
- Take some time to sit in the room and soak it all in. Your baby is grown, and you raised a wonderful human.
- Have a good cry – if you feel like it. There’s no shame and no judgment. This is your milestone as much as it is theirs.
- Take a picture to remember exactly how it looked—mess and all.
- Write down a favorite memory of your child in this space. Hang on to it, you’ll use it later.
Now, wipe your eyes, blow your nose, and let’s turn that bedroom into a space you can use.
Clear the Space
Involve your adult child in this step if they haven’t taken all their stuff with them. Set a deadline for them to get what they want and stick to it. This is just as much about you moving forward as it is them.
You will need trash bags and four boxes or totes to get the job done. Designate each box for the following categories:
Box 1: Items to take
Items they will take with them now to their home.
Box 2: Items to store
Favorite items with memories attached that they (or you) can’t bear to part with.
Box 3: Donate
Items in good condition that can be donated or sold.
Box 4: Trash
Things to be thrown away, like broken items or papers.
Go through every corner, dresser, and closet to make sure you sort through everything. Once you’re done, throw away the trash box, take the donate box to the thrift store, and get ready to seal up the items to store box.
Remember writing down your favorite memory of them in their room?
Before sealing the memory box, place the note with your favorite memory on top. Think of it as a secret gift for their future self. One day, years from now, your child will open this box and find the message from you, reminding them how much they were loved.
Start with a Clean Slate
Once the room is empty, it’s time to convert it into a guest room. Start by cleaning the room from top to bottom.
A fresh coat of paint will give the space a whole new identity. I painted over hot pink when our youngest moved out. If you have a bold color to cover, use primer first. It will save you time and money in the long run.
Remove furniture you won’t be using and take down curtains if they don’t match your vision for the room.
How does it feel, Momma? Fresh, clean, and new? If it doesn’t, just remember, it’s just a room in your home. Your incredible human is still around. They just aren’t using the room anymore.
Now for the fun part!
Setting up the New Guest Room
The main goal should be making a guest room welcoming and comfortable. This room is ready for a new identity and is no longer a monument to the past.
- Choose a queen size bed, or larger, if space allows. A larger bed is more comfortable for couples and is perfect when you have a sleepover with grands (thinking of the future here).
- Be sure to have 2 nightstands with lighting so guests on both sides of the bed have their own space and place to set things.
- Comfortable bedding, especially pillows, add to guests’ comfort. You can’t go wrong with feather pillows for the best guest experience. Layer bedding so it can be taken off if guests get to hot.
- Consider adding a luggage rack or a piece furniture to set a suitcase on. Also, make sure you have hangers in the closet.
- Add an area rug if the room doesn’t have carpet. There is nothing worse than getting out of a warm cozy bed and stepping on cold floor.
- Add a personal touch to the space with art and small decor items. Ohhhhh, and PLANTS! Plants instantly make a room feel cozy and comfortable.
You did it! Now step back and admire your new guest room! A space that is ready to be filled with new conversations, laughter, and memories with friends and family.
I’m proud of you, Momma!
