Dreamy Dual Space: A DIY Bedroom for Granddaughters & Guests

Creating a bedroom for growing granddaughters presents a unique challenge. You want a space that reflects their playful personalities and fosters their imaginations, but it should also be comfortable and functional for sleepovers and the occasional adult guests. This DIY project transformed a room into a dreamy dual space and a special haven for my granddaughters that can also gracefully accommodate visitors. With pops of blue and pink and a touch of Neverland magic, our DIY bedroom is ready for both slumber parties and sweet dreams.

Transforming a single room into a cozy retreat for bothplayful granddaughters and overnight adult guests doesn’t have to be a styling struggle! In this post, I’ll show you how we designed a dreamy, dual-purpose bedroom blending beautiful pops of pink and blue, clever sleeping arrangements, and just a touch of whimsical Neverland magic. Read on to get inspired for your own multi-functional guest room makeover!

Pinterest pin graphic titled 'Dreamy Dual Space DIY Bedroom for Grands and Guests' from cottageinthemitten.com. The collage features a close-up of a woven rattan lamp, a modern gold wall sconce next to a Peter Pan silhouette art piece, and a beautifully styled blue and pink queen bed in a cozy attic guest room.

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Designing a Shared Space for Growing Granddaughters

Now that all our granddaughters have made their way out of cribs and into “big beds”, we needed a space to accommodate them when they had sleepovers with Big Al and I. We had an extra bedroom in our home, so space wasn’t an issue. However, it was important to me that the space felt age appropriate, and also one that could host out of town guests.

“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”
― J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Setting the Stage: A Foundation of Blue and Pink

I wanted to make my oldest granddaughter a big part of the process. She is six, after all, and has so many great opinions; if you know what I mean! She orginally opted for pink, but since my She Room is pink, I asked her if she had a second choice and with her sweet little excitement she announced “blue!”.

I chose Denim by Sherwin Williams.

The room has knee walls and I opted to only paint from the bend down on two of the walls. Call them accent walls, if you will. I left the ceiling, bends and the other two walls antique white.

What is a knee wall?

A knee wall is a short wall, typically less than three feet high, that runs along the slanted part of a roof. It helps support the roof rafters and creates a separation between the attic space and the usable room below.

Decorating a space for both granddaughters and guests can be tricky, but using a blue and pink color combination created a welcoming and serene atmosphere. Not wanting the space to be too blue, I’m confident, that this palette offers enough contrast to give the room definition without being overwhelming.

And most girls LOVE pink, right!

A beautiful guest and granddaughter bedroom featuring a queen bed styled with ditsy floral sheets, a blue patterned coverlet, and a blush pink pom-pom comforter. A beige tufted headboard sits against a denim blue accent knee wall, decorated with three gold-framed pink Peter Pan art prints and gold brass wall sconces.

Beds and Beyond: Functional Furniture for Multiple Uses

This space needed to have multiple sleeping options and I didn’t want to use bunk beds. While bunk beds are wonderful space savers, keeping beds closer to the ground gives me total peace of mind with my grands and ensures a comfortable, ladder-free climb for our adult guests.

I opted for a queen size bed with a twin trundle. On the opposite side of the trundle are two pull out drawers. They work perfectly for keeping extra sheets and blankets. The headboard is tufted, which is a pretty touch and the bed is functional for multiple guests.

Not needing a dresser, I wanted a piece that was still functional and elegant. I found the perfect piece in this wide sideboard. It came in a set of two and the price point was right on budget. It’s also the perfect piece for hiding things like extra clothes. I also keep some of the girls’ books in there so they’re handy for a bedtime story.

Queen Size upholstered platform bed with a beige tufted fabric headboard, featuring a hidden twin size trundle and two pull-out storage drawers on a light wood floor.

Two Acelynn 31.5-inch wide sideboards styled side-by-side to create a long credenza, featuring light wood frames, woven cane cabinet doors, and dark metal legs in a room with soft green walls.

You know I can never resist a good treasure hunt, and when i heard my favorite local vintage shop was going out of business, I had to stop by. That’s where I spotted a classic cane-backed chair. It had great bones but needed a little love. With a fresh coat of black paint and some beautiful new fabric for the seat cushion, it bacame the perfect cozy corner piece for this space.

My Cottage Tip

When you find a fabulous deal, always buy the pair if you can! I actually bought two of these vintage cane-backed chairs. While I refurbished this one for the guest room, I worked on the second one for my daughter-in-law. When you find a diamond in the rough you should always jump on it!

Let There Be Light

For the lighting, I wanted something that felt organic and playful, yet still sophisticated. I chose a beautiful rattan light fixture with ceiling fan, and it’s the perfect fit. The woven texture of the rattan brings a casual, natural warmth that instantly softens the space.

A rustic caged ceiling fan and light fixture with a hand-woven natural rope drum shade, mounted with a black downrod to a rustic exposed wooden ceiling beam.

To carry that natural texture across the room, I also placed a matching rattan lamp on the sideboard. It ties the lighting elements together beautifully and casts a soft, cozy glow over the book reading corner.

A woven rattan table lamp with a white drum shade styled on a light wood credenza against a dark blue wall, pictured next to a small patterned decorative dish and a green prayer plant in a white textured pot.

Finally, to flank the queen bed, I added battery-operated sconces on either side. Since they are battery powered, there was no need for tricky wiring, which in my opinion is a total win! Best of all, they change colors. The girls absolutely love choosing their favorite shade at bedtime, giving them a pop of whimsy and a fun nightlight. The sconces also give our adult guests a warm reading light.

A modern brass wall sconce with a white shade mounted next to a beige tufted headboard on a blue wall, featuring a framed pink Peter Pan silhouette and ditsy floral print bedding.

Finding Decor Inspiration: A Touch of Neverland

Since I was a very little girl, the story of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and Neverland has been my favorite. For my 5th birthday my cousin and his wife gifted me the enormous Disney book filled with their adventures. It’s a treasured possession to this day! Whenever my oldest granddaughter asks me who my favorite Disney princess is, I say Tinker Bell. She then politely reminds me that Tinker Bell isn’t a princess, she’s a fairy. But to me, she’ll always be a princess!

That being said, I decided that I would add subtle touches of Peter Pan to our DIY bedroom. Afterall, Peter Pan represents childhood wonder and timeless appeal.

Wanting to bring that touch of Neverland to life, I focused on art and details that feel deeply personal. Next to the light switch I added a black decal in the shape of Tinker Bell. Over the bed, I hung beautiful artwork of Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinker Bell, paired with another framed poster featuring a treasured excerpt from the book. But my absolute favorite piece in the entire room is a framed photo of my oldest granddaughter. It’s a shot I took of her from behind, wearing her favorite Tinker Bell outfit complete with fairy wings!

A framed photo of a young girl from behind in a green Tinker Bell fairy costume with wings, styled in a textured gold frame on a wooden credenza for a Peter Pan themed DIY bedroom.

To balance the whimsical fairy tale theme and ensure the space feels elegant and comfortable for our grown-up visitors, I also incorporated more sophisticated artwork. I hung large, beautiful bird prints featuring unique animal fabric borders, all set in gorgeous, stately gold frames. It’s the perfect, heartwarming finishing touch that truly makes this space a have of imagination and comfort for our sweet girls, while still feeling incredibly cozy and welcoming for any guest who steps inside.

A close-up of a framed watercolor bird art print featuring a blue and yellow bird on a flowering branch, styled with a black and white zebra-patterned mat in a natural wood frame.

A cozy bedroom corner vignette featuring a vintage-style black painted cane chair with a patterned cushion, styled next to a light wood credenza and a framed bird art print on a cream wall.

The Finishing Touches: Personalization and Comfort

I love layers. Matching coordinating fabrics is one my favorite ways to decorate. Strips, florals, solids can all be used together. I dressed the bed in layers that are both beautiful and practical. I started with sheets in a darling pattern called Ditsy Floral in shades of pink, mauve and blues. From there I added a Pink Boho Pom Pom Comforter set. It’s lightweight and is a gorgeous shade of pink, and those playful little pom poms add the perfect touch of texture and fun for the girls without losing that elegant aesthetic. You can never have to many layers so I added another lightweight blue pattern comforter on top of the pink one. The one I used is currently out of stock but I found a similar one that would look great too!

Whether the girls are settling down for a sleepover with Big Al and me, or winding down after a long day of travel, the bed set-up makes you want to dive right in!

Litanika Blush Pink Boho Pom Pom Comforter Set styled on a cozy bed with matching pink pom-pom pillow shams and a natural curved rattan headboard.

“You know that place between sleep and awake, that place where you still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I’ll be waiting.” – Tinker Bell

Frequently Asked Questions

Multi-functional furniture is your best friend! Use decorative lidded baskets that hide toys out of sight but are easy for little hands to access. Keep closet space organized by reserving one side or a few low shelves for granddaughter toys and dress-up clothes, while keeping a luggage rack and empty hanging space available for your overnight visitors.

If your space allows, two twin beds are classic and versatile for both kids and adults. Another excellent option is a daybed with a pull-out trundle, or a beautiful queen-sized bed paired (like we have) with a cozy, sleeper-chair or folding cot nearby. This ensures you can maximize sleeping capacity for slumber parties while still providing a spacious, comfortable bed for couple guests.

The key is to use small thoughtful conveniences that cater to grown-ups. While the room has a whimsical decor, you can make it feel like a boutique hotel stay by adding a few hospitality touches. Leave a clear space on the credenza or bedside table for their phone and a water glass, ensure there is an easily accessible power outlet or charging cord near the bed, leave out an extra blanket, and hang a clean robe in the closet.

Conclusion: A Space to Grow and Share

I’m so happy with this space and my granddaughters love it too! I even had my good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill come and stay with me. She now calls it “her” room!

At the end of the day, creating this dual purpose space wasn’t just about choosing the right furniture or painting a vintage chair. It was about making a room for the people I love most. Whether it’s filled with the giggles of my grands during our late-night bedtime story, or serving as a peaceful, comfortable retreat for our guests, this room is ready for it all! With a little creativity you really can have a space that is both whimsical, fun and beautiful all in the same space!

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