It was late in the evening when her sister-in-law called unexpectedly. She needed a place to stay and wanted to know if she could arrive that night with her two kids. Thankfully, the guest room was ready, tucked just off the back hallway with its bathroom. Later that night, as the house settled down after dinner, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’m so glad we planned for guests,” she whispered to her husband, a sense of satisfaction in her voice. “But I’m even more glad they’re not in the middle of everything.”
At LaFollette Custom Homes, our expertise lies in creating spaces that balance hospitality with personal comfort. Many of our clients love to host, but they also want a home that gives them space, calm, and privacy. Here’s how we help them design homes that welcome guests without compromising their comfort.
Place Guest Rooms in a Separate Zone
Placing guest rooms in a separate zone of your custom home using a split-bedroom layout or creating a guest wing of your home can give guests more independence and privacy. This is ideal for visiting family, aging parents, or college kids coming home for breaks.
Include a Private Guest Bathroom
Even if a full ensuite guest bathroom is not ideal, designing a dedicated hallway bath with visitors in mind can grant both you and your guests more privacy and a way to avoid shared access to your primary bath. Add thoughtful touches that feel welcoming, such as towel hooks, open shelves, and extra bathroom essentials.
Use Pocket Doors or Smart Transitions
Create subtle separation for your guests with pocket doors or a hallway that can close off the guest wing from the rest of the house. Even small design elements, such as the placement of doors and floor transitions or an entry nook, can make the guest suite feel tucked away.
Think About the Morning Routine
Plan your morning routine setup with potential guests in mind. Keep your kitchen in a central location, but not overcrowded with items. Include essentials for a shared space, such as a coffee bar and a small sitting area.
Include Flexible Spaces That Double as Guest Rooms
You don’t have to dedicate an entire area of your home to potential guests if you don’t foresee having many visitors. Spaces like a home office with a daybed can easily transition from a productive work area to a comfortable guest room when needed. This kind of flexible custom home design maximizes the functionality of the home, ensuring that no space goes unused while still allowing you to host visitors comfortably on short notice.
Decorate Guest Areas with Comfort in Mind
Your guest suite is another opportunity to showcase your unique style and design preferences in your custom home. Focus on comfort by incorporating soft textures, blackout curtains, and layered lighting to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Thoughtful details like a luggage bench, ample open surfaces, and easy-to-access outlets add convenience and help guests feel truly at home.
Keep the Living Areas Open but Zoned
Keeping living areas open while still clearly zoned creates a home that feels spacious, functional, and comfortable for both everyday living and entertaining. Furniture placement and area rugs can be used to define distinct zones without the need for walls, and thoughtful planning helps ensure that guest traffic flows naturally without cutting through more private areas of the home.
Guest-Friendly Custom Home Design
A truly guest-friendly home is one where everyone feels comfortable, including you. With thoughtful layout decisions and a little extra planning, you can create a space that’s always ready to welcome. This is the goal we strive for, and we’re here to help you achieve it.
Create a custom home that balances beauty, hospitality, and comfort so your home feels inviting and entirely your own with LaFollette Custom Homes.