How to Combine a Guest Room With a Playroom

Walls and Flooring

• Paint the walls a neutral color such as light gray, beige or a blend of the two. These paint choices effortlessly offer warmth and subtle hints of color without competing with the furnishings. Hardwood floors, either real or manufactured, are easier to clean and maintain than carpet, especially when the playroom doubles as a finger-painting studio. Whatever the flooring choice, opt for dark colors that show less dirt. Lay a rug on the floor to provide a slight cushion and color to an otherwise neutral space.

Guest Room Furnishings

• A daybed or sleeper sofa doubles as a sitting area during the day and as a guest bed at night. Buy one with a solid color slipcover that complements the wall colors, such as a dark gray or maroon. Throw pillows with removable and machine washable covers in a pattern -- stripes or chevrons -- add pops of color plus additional back support for both kids and guests. Provide one or two nightstands, each with enough surface area to accomodate a glass of water, cellphone and a book. The nightstand drawers offer guests private storage. Repurpose a trunk or toy chest as a coffee table used to store extra blankets and other bed linens. Attach lockable wheels on the bottom so it can be easily moved to an empty corner of the room and stay in place as needed.

Playroom Furnishings

• A media unit that occupies a large portion of one wall that holds the television -- a must-have for kids who play video games -- it also provides extra storage. Display sturdy decorative items on the top shelves, and bins on the remaining shelves. A long, narrow storage unit with cubbies can double as a kid-friendly work surface. Attach lockable wheels on the bottom so that it moves away from a wall to allow kids to work on both sides. Playrooms require storage that children of all ages can help maintain. Give them an assortment of decorative bins made of plastic, wicker or both and use them to store items such as markers and crayons. Add labels or pictures that briefly explain the bin's contents.

Accessories

• Keep breakable and precious accessories to a minimum in any room where children play. Use your double-duty furnishings to infuse pops of color into the space. Paint a trunk, which doubles as storage and extra seating, lime green or a similar bright color that energizes both adult and kid guests. Showcase your family's whimsical side by dedicating one wall to your silliest family photos, framed in plastic and secured to the wall. Designate another wall painted in chalkboard paint for creative expression and allow kids and your overnight guests to leave their mark via colored chalk. Dress the windows in sun-blocking shades and curtains, which create a pleasant sleeping and television watching experience.