Struggling to fill your B&B rooms? Your b&b guest room layout might be scaring guests away. Learn how simple layout tweaks can improve comfort, photos, and reviews.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, give that button a click—and if there’s a bell nearby, ring it like you’re summoning guests for breakfast. You don’t want to miss future episodes full of tips to keep your rooms full and your reviews glowing.

.

Let’s talk about something that might be quietly robbing you of bookings: your guest room layout. Yes, I mean that bed you lovingly picked out, the wardrobe you shoved into the corner, and the chair nobody ever sits in.

.

This isn’t just a matter of taste. It’s about comfort, flow, and whether your guests will rave about your rooms—or run for the hills (and leave a suspiciously polite review).

.

If you’ve ever wondered why your beautiful B&B isn’t converting as many bookings as you’d hoped, your guest room layout might be the silent culprit. Let’s fix it!

.

.

The Bed Isn’t King If It’s Cramped

Let’s start with the elephant in the room—the bed. Or should I say the bed that’s become the elephant in the room because it’s too big for the space?

.

From the “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Door’s Open” Course, one golden rule is this: Guests love a spacious feeling, even if the room itself is tiny. A king-sized bed in a room that only fits a queen comfortably will make the space feel tight and claustrophobic.

.

I once stayed in a charming Victorian B&B where the bed was so big, I had to crab-walk sideways to reach the window. Lovely linens, but I felt like I was stuck in an escape room.

.

Try This Instead:

• Use a queen-sized bed in small rooms and save king beds for larger suites.

.

• Keep at least 60 cm (about two feet) of clearance around the sides.

.

• Place the bed so the guest can see the door when lying down—it’s subconsciously comforting.

.

A room that breathes invites guests to stay…and to come back.

 

Too Much Furniture? Less Is More

Many B&B owners fall into the “filling every corner” trap. I get it—you want guests to feel spoiled for choice. A writing desk here, an armchair there, a luggage rack…and suddenly the room looks like a charity shop display.

Function trumps excess. Guests don’t need five pieces of occasional furniture. They need space to move, set down a suitcase, and not stub a toe in the middle of the night.

.

As Seinfeld might say:

“Why do hotels have one chair nobody uses? Are we supposed to look at it and think, ‘Oh good, there’s somewhere for my invisible friend to sit’?”

.

Practical Moves:

• Limit furniture to essential pieces: bed, bedside tables, a wardrobe or hanging space, and one chair.

.

• If space is tight, swap a bulky dresser for open shelving or hooks.

.

• Choose furniture that serves more than one purpose (storage ottomans, foldaway desks).

.

.

Light and Air: Your Secret Weapons

Dark, cluttered rooms feel smaller. Natural light and good airflow make even a tiny room feel bright and inviting.

.

One B&B owner I know discovered that simply removing heavy curtains and hanging sheer panels boosted guest reviews almost overnight. Guests loved waking up to sunshine instead of a cave.

.

The “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Door’s Open” Course suggests these tips:

• Keep window areas clear—don’t block light with bulky furniture.

.

• Use mirrors strategically to bounce light around the room.

.

• Consider ceiling fans to help air circulate without relying on noisy air conditioning.

.

Your guest’s first impression when they open the door should be, Ahh, lovely! — not Hmm, do I need a torch?

.

.

Storage That Doesn’t Steal Space

Here’s a design challenge B&Bs often face: Guests arrive with suitcases, shopping bags, and shoes they only wear on holidays. Where does it all go?

.

Poor layout forces guests to live out of their suitcases, which feels messy and cheapens the experience—even if your sheets have a thread count higher than the national debt.

.

Some solutions to consider:

• Under-bed drawers for extra linens or guest belongings.

.

• A luggage rack that folds away when not in use.

.

• Tall, slim wardrobes rather than wide dressers.

.

• Hooks behind doors for robes, coats, or bags.

.

You don’t want guests tripping over their belongings—or yours!

.

.

A Flow That Makes Sense

Let’s talk traffic patterns. A beautiful room is useless if guests can’t walk through it without performing an Olympic hurdling routine.

Here’s a scene from a real B&B stay:

I needed to reach the bathroom. Between me and relief stood:

• An armchair,

.

• A coffee table,

.

• A suitcase rack,

.

• And the world’s smallest desk jammed into the hallway.

.

At 3 a.m., I ended up moving furniture like a burglar to get through. Not exactly the serene stay advertised on the website.

.

Instead, channel this wisdom:

• Sketch your room and draw imaginary paths guests will walk—between the bed, door, bathroom, and windows.

.

• Remove obstacles along these routes.

.

• Avoid placing furniture where it forces awkward detours.

.

A good layout makes moving around effortless. Guests won’t consciously notice it—but they’ll feel it.

.

.

Tech Placement: The Invisible Detail Guests Notice

We live in a digital age. Even in a quaint B&B, guests expect charging spots and decent Wi-Fi. Yet many room layouts forget this entirely.

From the course:

• Place outlets near beds (guests want to charge phones overnight).

.

• Consider small shelves beside outlets for devices.

.

• Keep TV screens visible but not dominating. Guests may want the option—not a forced viewing experience.

.

A layout that considers tech shows guests you’re modern, even if your décor screams vintage charm.

.

You dream of sunny porches and happy guests…
But there’s a to-do list taped to the fridge.

.

Get the “Your B&B Starter Blueprint” download. It’s how you start smart, not scrambled.

.

Get your copy now! You can find a link in the show notes.

.

.

Do you suspect your room layout is costing you bookings? What’s the most awkward piece of furniture you’ve ever wrestled around a guest room?

Drop your stories or questions in the comments.

.

Here are Your Key Takeaways

.

In Conclusion

Your guest room layout might not seem like a make-or-break issue—but trust me, it is. It affects how your B&B photographs for online listings, how guests feel during their stay, and whether they’ll return (or recommend you).

.

The beauty is, you don’t have to gut-renovate your property. Small tweaks in furniture placement, storage solutions, and lighting can dramatically boost comfort and appeal.

.

And if you’d love even more practical advice on creating rooms guests rave about, you’ll find tons of ideas in the “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Door’s Open” course. Dive in and give your rooms the magic touch!

.

Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss next time—especially if you’re the kind of B&B owner who’s ever thought, Hmm, do I really need that extra armchair? Spoiler alert: Probably not.