With weighing everyone's input, I'm now thinking maybe I should just go ahead with a room update that would satisfy both his needs for part time use of the room over the college years plus my need for a guest room. Another factor driving the update sooner rather than later, is I know we will have several guests coming in May, both for DS's graduation and my DH's 50th birthday and the closer it gets to May, the busier I will get with party planning. There will be an opportunity in February to paint while he is away for 3-days at a tournament, then when he returns it is winter break so he would have some time to help me put his room back together and be part of the changes. That way, he will be included in the plans. He is away right now until Friday at a retreat so I haven't had a chance yet to run my ideas by him, but I will when he gets back. Main issue with the mahogany bed is it doesn't really go well with his existing furniture so I've been thinking about what I can/should add to make it look more cohesive without breaking the bank. Once he is out of school I don't think he will need such a large desk and hutch plus I do own another very similar one in DD1's room and DD2 has a smaller vintage kneehole desk which I really like as it has great storage space without a lot of room. Offhand, I have a single mahogany nightstand which I can replace his with: I'm now thinking perhaps I should just replace his desk/hutch will a smaller vintage kneehole type one so that he would have a place to work on his laptop when he is staying with us. When searching for DD2 last year I found a lot and here is one listed on CL for only $50: What do you think? While these pieces may not be his first choice for his room, I feel it would allow for more growth during the transition of this room into serving dual functions over the next several years. Long term, my mom has promised to give me my grandmother's mahogany secretary and I can see that working well at some future point when DS no longer lives with us and most likely would replace the desk. As for paint, I was thinking a soft grey or pale blue. He is very fond of blue, but I find these walls too dark. I can get him a blue comforter and keep the present rug for now; then get another set of bedding to use when guests visit.

pattiem93, Thank you for the advice and the kind words. lyban's mock up confirms it (Thank you lyban!) It really does look so much better. Who knew? (oh, the experts!) ;-) I do promise to post pictures when we are in. We are VERY close now. Just dealing with some plumbing fixture snafus, grrr... and then I'm sure it will take a while to pull things together. The first pics will be fairly undecorated, but we'll get there eventually. Right now, I'm resisting buying anything else. I think I need to live there to get a feel for the house to figure out how exactly I want to accessorzie everything. We are definitely a work in progress. tracey_b, I agree I might need a richer green. This color is SW Recycled Glass. I was also looking at the SW Artichoke color strip when choosing. Maybe something from that strip would be richer. I have to admit, I was out there again today and it didn't seem as bad. Not great, but hey, it is the spare, spare bedroom. I have my whole life to perfect it. Kitchen first, then my bedroom and bath and then onto the rest of the house. Thanks again to everyone. No one else is interested in listening to my house talk anymore. Y'all are my saving grace!

There is no reason you can't keep the bed and the art. I might think about having the art re-framed. It has dark colors and could be framed in a wood that matches the sleigh bed, get a slightly larger double mat that is not such a brilliant white. Hang the art over the bed so you see it when you enter the room. Think about how your guests use the room. Weekend guests don't need a lot of storage. If the closet is empty you can place a luggage rack inside the closet. If they are watching TV it is usually from the bed. I would place the TV on the wall where they can view tv as they are laying on the bed. A small makeup vanity can serve many purposes, provide a chair for sitting, a desktop, a place to do their hair and makeup. There is one on etsy that may work nicely with your bed. Cherry makeup vanity Matching vanity stool is also available on etsy vanity stool If keeping the art, I would try to incorporate the blue or green colors from the art in the bedding and window coverings. Add a small blanket folded at the foot of the bed, an accent pillow and recover the seat of the vanity stool. Add a small nightstand with a lamp with a blue or green base and a little blue dish where they can set their glasses or phone or watch. Again - on etsy nightstands

I have a small guest room (see attached floor plan with dimensions of walls as well as corresponding current pictures). Guests generally come and stay for 1-2 weeks at a time and usually involve a couple, necessitating a queen bed. I am removing the builder's grade crappy closet (1 shelf, 1 rod) and plan to install one with multiple shelves, long/short hang, 2 shoe shelves and 2 drawers (which should provide more much functional storage). My questions - how should I arrange furniture in this room (given the constraints of the size, bifold closet doors, and 2 doors on the east wall). I am trying to make the room feel less crowded (which I know is limited given its size and requirement of a queen bed). I need a queen bed & TV - other than that, I am open to purchasing new furniture if it fits the room really well. Would love input on actual known practical/useful furniture for small spaces (especially with extra storage) and the actual layout/where to put in the room. Bonus - would love to paint the room - any recommended paint colors for guest bedrooms? (only window is north facing, no direct sunlight - so generally a dark room). NORTH WALL WEST WALL: SOUTH WALL: EAST WALL: