Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests

I have seven grandchildren, plus two sons and their wives. When they visit, they bring all the paraphernalia that babies and youngsters and tech-dependent adults need these days. And we live in a 600-square-foot bungalow. Yikes!

If your downsizing has left you struggling with where to put your guests, consider some of these options.

Sleep sofas have come a long, long way in the last couple of decades. That annoying bar that was such an unwelcome part of the sleeper mechanism is almost a thing of the past, so your guests won’t have to act out The Princess and the Pea anymore.


And you no longer need a ton of floor space to accommodate a sleep sofa. Companies like American Leather have sleeper models with king-size mattresses that are less than 7 feet long and 37 inches deep, and queen-size sofa beds that are only 63 inches long. What’s more, American Leather constructs these pieces in a modular manner so they can easily squeeze through small doorways.


You can even put a sleeper section into many small-scale sectionals.


If you have a guest room, consider partitioning it, as in this space, which allows families to all fit into one room. My son and daughter-in-law would get the big bed, the twin girls would get the single …


… and my grandson would get the trundle bed. Don’t overlook this last option; just be aware that things like nightstands and dressers have to be accounted for when the bed is pulled out.


Bunk beds are a time-honored recipe for accommodating children — especially grandchildren. If there’s room for a twin bed in the room, then there’s room for a bunk bed.


If you have the ceiling height, a triple bunk bed is an unusual and useful option. Putting a queen mattress on the bottom level will make for a happy family guest room.


Wall beds, commonly called Murphy beds, are a great option if your budget allows. They can be added to almost any room’s shelving or built-ins. Check out Stuart David, a quality American manufacturer headquartered in Central California. The company has multiple options in wall beds, in a wide choice of woods and stains or paints.

Here you see the bed closed …


… and here you see it open. Notice that the chairs were moved to allow for the space taken up by the mattress.


Does your ceiling height permit a sleeping loft? This is such a great way to provide for guests without taking up precious square footage on the floor. When you add a loft, be sure to include multiple electrical outlets for all the tech needs, like charging cell phones and tablets. If your guests happen to be grandchildren, you may need exceptionally great treats or activities to lure them down from a loft.


Thanks to the TV show Treehouse Masters on Animal Planet, tree houses are hot right now. And with very good reason. If you have an appropriate tree, you can gain spectacular space for guests.


I totally want to spend some nights in this tree house/guesthouse. The only problem is that if you build something this charming and welcoming, you will likely have a constant flow of guests. Take advantage of that if your municipality allows, and use it as a bed-and-breakfast. You could bring in a little extra income.


If your backyard is large enough, park a vintage Airstream trailer there and make it your guest quarters. It would be the ultimate in chic and cozy accommodations, and you’d get to keep your house to yourself.


If all else fails, consider making arrangements with a local motel or inn, and accommodate your guests there. The establishment might offer you a discount for being local or for frequent use. Your guests will be very comfortable, and the time spent out “from underfoot” will make the time together that much better.

Bottom line: Don’t let living small hinder your hospitality. Small spaces can lead to intimate get-togethers and great big memories.

More: Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

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