Here’s a cool idea for creating sleeping space in a small space: a bed in a cube (via Apartment Therapy).

In places like studio apartments or basements that are expected to function as both rec room and guest room, sleeping privacy can be hard to find. There’s always the option of the sofa bed, but those aren’t known for their comfort, plus they must be made up and put away daily. And some people don’t like a regular bed in the middle of the room. After all, who wants people deciding to sit on your bed pillows?

This solution, from French Company Du Cote de Chez Vous, offers a very fun solution for limited space. What do you think?

Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Many cultures consider hospitality to be a sacred obligation. We all want to treat our guests well, but sometimes things fall through the cracks. It’s especially difficult when you have guests staying overnight or longer.

The ever-helpful House Beautiful offers some tips about “What Your Houseguests Won’t Tell You” that are awesome. Check them out, and here are some more from us.

If there’s anything about your bathroom that your guests need to know, just tell them. There’s no need to be delicate. If you have a septic system that doesn’t allow most things to be flushed, let your guests know. Put up small signs in the bathroom as well — it’s always helpful to have a reminder. Likewise, if the handle needs to be held down until the toilet is done flushing, the bathroom door knob needs to be jiggled to the left to lock, or the shower needs to run for a minute before there’s any kind of water pressure, don’t leave your guests guessing.

Sleep in your guestroom! You can do this when your room is being painted, but you should spend a night in there every so often — at least every six months and preferably quarterly. How else are you to know that the box spring squeaks when you turn over, or the bar on the sofa bed digs into your back, or that the radiator goes crazy at midnight and heats the room to 90 degrees? Don’t depend on your guests telling you; they’ll probably be too polite.

Ask about dietary needs. Providing meals for a vegetarian or someone with a gluten allergy might seem daunting at first, but most people want to help you out with food shopping and prep. And of course, you as a good host don’t want your guests to be hungry. Nothing ruins a visit faster than growling stomachs!

What are your tips for being a good host and making your guests comfortable?

This video from Candice Olson’s “Divine Design” show on HGTV demonstrates the steps taken in turning a previously shabby attic space into a beautiful master bedroom. If you have four minutes to spare, you can probably pick up some interesting ideas for your next painting, redecorating or renovation project.

You can more great master bedroom design tips and ideas from Candice on her website.

Looking for a way to remodel your house and add value? You might think of adding in a family room or extra bedroom, gutting kitchen or redoing the bathroom. But surprisingly, one of the best remodeling investments you can make might already exist in your home. Yes, that’s right: You can remodel your attic and reap some big rewards.

According to Calfinder, “the attic-to-bedroom conversion ranked number two for highest return on investment” in 2009 and 2010. Attic-to-bedroom conversion recouped over 83 percent of cost — pretty impressive! Attics can be dark, drafty spaces that are hard to live in, but they might be perfect for a large master suite or could fit two new bedrooms in an existing space.

Of course, there are considerations like: Will the roof need to be raised? What about dormers? Is there a permanent staircase in existence or will you need to put one in? But if you are looking for a good use of space, considering making your attic into the bedroom of your dreams!

Image courtesy of Calfinder

After a hard day at the office or with the kids, this room is your escape.  The master bedroom is unlike any other room in the house, as it truly is your personal getaway.

When I’m building a home and helping a client with the designs, I always follow three rules:

1. It’s all about the bed.
2. Build the rest of the room.  “What else do you want?”
3. Express yourself.  Show off your own personal style.

It’s all about the bed.

Thinking of the bedroom like a theater, your bed is the stage. It is the main piece of furniture that sets the style of the master bedroom. My one bit of advice in choosing a bed: Go for comfort. The master bed should meet both your decorating and health needs, so do not skimp on costs here. Get one that’s comfortable and fits the room.

Like other large pieces of furniture in the home, you must allow for traffic here as well.  Place your bed in an area that won’t obstruct a door or block a window and allow enough floor space to move around it.  The best location for a bed is to place it opposite the entry of the door, allowing you to look out on your entire room.

Build the rest of the room.  “What else do you want?”

This is the first room you see in the morning and the last one you see as you drift off to sleep. Nowadays, people want it all in a master bedroom. A room you can sleep in and an area where you can relax and read a good book. In addition to your master bed, think about the other items you would like to surround yourself with for that added personal comfort.

Whether it’s a nightstand, a flat screen television and DVD player, a stereo or a special chair for reading — make yourself comfortable. Whatever you choose, just remember to allow enough room for your items. When planning your master bedroom, you should follow these guidelines:

• Add three to four inches to width and length for your bed covering.
• Leave at least 24 inches for clearance around the bed for traffic.
• Allow three to four inches of space at either end of the bed for the headboard or footboard.

Express yourself. Show off your own personal style.

Of all the rooms in your home, it is your master bedroom that is the most personal space in the house, so give it a style and a personality that is all its own. Whether it is your bedding and style of furniture or it’s the photos of the kids and your Monet painting, make this room your own. You’ll be glad you did.

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“Clean your room!” It’s a refrain that parents often throw at their children, but when you’re an adult, it can be tempting to concentrate on cleaning the more public areas of your home.

Unfortunately, keeping your bedroom fresh and clean is one of the most important household tasks you can do. Because a good portion of your time in there is spent unconscious, you want to make sure that dust and dirt don’t interrupt your slumber.

Apartment Therapy has listed some great ways to get and keep your bedroom clean and orderly. Here’s the plan:

• Take 10 minutes to clean. Pick up, dust and wipe and make sure everything is in its own place.
• Clean and organized the closet. Yes, you can shut the door, but don’t you want to be able to find all your clothes and shoes easily? An organized closet is a thing of beauty, but it might take a little time to get there. So carve out anywhere from an hour to an afternoon to really get organized. Don’t forget about all the great closet organizers available!
• Control dust! This is especially important for asthma or allergy sufferers. This may involve anything from removing carpet to washing sheets in hot water.
• Make homemade linen spray to keep your bedroom smelling great.

Visit Apartment Therapy for more tips on keeping your bedroom clean all year long!

Have you ever dreamed of having a tower in your house? What if your whole house was a tower? One homeowner in Utah built a circular house that looks like a silo. Instead of storing grain, two circular metal structures house a cool modern interior.

Located near the Provo River, the house serves as a getaway for a bachelor and his friends. It is environmentally friendly, with a southern exposure to get the maximum amount of light and the metal exterior helps keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

The interior seems to draw occupants in with its gently curving structure. One of the most interesting rooms is the bedroom with beds built right into the wall. It saves space and looks great.

Surrounded by a beautiful landscape, this silo fits right in. What a great place to relax and enjoy life!

Photos courtesy of Freshome. Thanks to the DIY Maven at Curbly for bringing this find to our attention.