Join My Friend Charlotte and Me in an Epic DIY Battle to Transform Our Guest Bedrooms! Catch the Full Series Here.
Hello, fellow DIY enthusiasts and home improvement adventurers! My sincere apologies for the slight delay in this much-anticipated update. It’s been one of those weeks where technology seemed determined to challenge my patience, but we’re moving past the internet woes and diving straight into the exciting progress of our Dueling DIY: Guest Room Gauntlet. This is update #3, complete with a fresh vlog showcasing all the action!
If you’re just joining this thrilling guest bedroom renovation saga, I highly recommend starting your journey here to get the full backstory. Then, catch up on our previous updates here and here. I initiated the Dueling DIY series as a powerful motivator. It’s incredibly effective for tackling significant home projects that might otherwise linger indefinitely on a seemingly endless to-do list, pushed into the dreaded “project limbo.” By committing to this challenge with a fellow blogger and promising these bi-weekly progress reports – along with a detailed monthly vlog recap – I find myself achieving significantly more. The friendly competition, complete with a generous dose of good-natured smack talk, also adds an extra layer of fun to the entire process – especially when my challenger starts to feel the pressure! This time, I’m pitted against the wonderfully creative Charlotte from At Charlotte’s House. She’s also embarking on a guest room revamp (though I suspect her “guest room” might secretly be a cleverly disguised closet!), and I’m keen to see if her projects can truly measure up to the ambitious scope of mine. It’s all in good fun, of course, but the drive to outperform is very real!
Dueling DIY: Guest Room Gauntlet – Major Milestones Achieved!
Let’s kick things off with the most exciting announcement, shall we? This project has seen some monumental progress, and I can’t wait to share it!
The Murphy Bed: A Game-Changing Solution for Guest Rooms
Drumroll please… THE MURPHY BED IS FULLY INSTALLED!
This has been the cornerstone of my guest bedroom transformation, designed to maximize space and offer incredible versatility. For weeks, almost every evening, I’ve dedicated myself to the meticulous process of building the bed frame and meticulously installing all the intricate hardware. The vision of a truly multi-functional guest room, capable of serving as both a comfortable sleeping area and a productive workspace or entertainment hub, hinged entirely on the successful integration of this hidden bed system.
The construction phase involved precise measurements, careful cutting of plywood, and a lot of dry-fitting before any permanent connections were made. Each piece had to align perfectly to ensure the smooth operation of the bed mechanism. It’s a testament to patience and attention to detail, crucial for any large-scale DIY furniture project like this. The hardware kit itself, while comprehensive, required a systematic approach to assembly, transforming a pile of lumber into a functional, space-saving bed.
A significant portion of the work involved applying and trimming edge banding. This crucial step not only provides a clean, finished look to the raw plywood edges but also protects them from wear and tear, contributing to the overall durability and aesthetic appeal of the Murphy bed. It’s a time-consuming but incredibly rewarding detail, transforming utilitarian plywood into something that looks custom-built. While I’ve held off on the final painting until the surrounding built-ins are complete (there’s a lot of painting in my future!), the edge banding ensures a pristine base.
Quick Tip: I initially hesitated to invest in this small edge trimmer tool, deeming it an unnecessary splurge for over $10. However, after using it for just a few minutes, my opinion completely flipped! It saved me an incredible amount of time and effort compared to my previous methods. What seemed like a “waste of money” quickly became an indispensable “handy helper.” Having worked with edge banding on several DIY projects before, I’m confident this tool will prove to be a worthwhile long-term investment for its efficiency and ease of use.
Another Quick Tip: While I found the sound of the trimmer strangely satisfying, some people might compare it to nails on a chalkboard. Just a friendly heads-up!
The Grand Installation: Safety First and the Power of a Helping Hand
When I say “installed,” I mean the mattress is snugly in place, and the entire Murphy bed unit is securely bolted into the wall. The truly challenging and physically demanding parts of this DIY project are officially DONE! The biggest hurdle during installation was the immense tension of the piston lift system. These systems are designed to keep the bed securely closed and assist in effortlessly lifting it back into position when not in use. However, this powerful spring mechanism is engineered to be counter-balanced by the weight of a heavy mattress (remember, no box spring needed for Murphy beds!). This means during the initial installation, before the mattress is fully settled and secured, the unit is incredibly top- and front-heavy, creating a rather precarious situation where it constantly wants to fall forward. It’s definitely not a solo job! I was incredibly glad I curbed my usual DIY bravado and waited for K to return home from work to assist. Safety is paramount, especially with large, heavy furniture pieces.
Together, we managed to align the top header and securely bolt it directly into the wall studs. This step is critically important for the stability and safety of the entire unit. Opting for heavy-duty bolts over screws provides superior holding power, ensuring the bed will remain firmly anchored for years to come. And just like that, after weeks of building and careful installation, my brand-new Murphy bed was finally in place, ready to redefine the functionality of the guest room!
Of course, the journey isn’t entirely complete. The next crucial steps involve installing decorative handles (because, let’s face it, opening the bed without them is quite the puzzle!) and embarking on the exciting phase of building the custom cabinetry and shelving. These built-ins will elegantly flank both sides of the Murphy bed, creating a seamless, integrated wall unit that will not only offer ample storage but also give the entire room a sophisticated, custom-designed aesthetic. This thoughtful addition will maximize both form and function, truly transforming the guest room into a highly optimized space.
Since we started with the biggest news, all the other recent updates, while significant, might seem a little less dramatic. But they are crucial details that contribute to the overall ambiance and functionality of the room. So, let’s recap these smaller, yet equally important, wins very quickly:
Small Wins, Big Impact: Recent Guest Room Updates
In case you missed the previous update, I’ve installed a series of new hanging planters right by the window. These additions bring a touch of natural beauty and freshness into the room, creating a more inviting and serene atmosphere for guests. Indoor plants are known for improving air quality and adding a vibrant pop of color and life. You can find the full tutorial for creating these charming planters here.
I also had an incredibly satisfying project sealing one of the paintings displayed along the new picture ledges with art resin. This technique creates a stunning, high-gloss, glass-like finish that not only enhances the colors of the artwork but also provides a durable, protective layer. It was a fantastic experiment and a truly cool project that adds a professional and polished touch to the room’s decor! Learn how to achieve this impressive finish with my recap and tutorial here.
Speaking of the picture ledges, I initially built four but ultimately used three for their intended purpose. The fourth, however, found a clever new home! I repurposed it and mounted it directly under the TV, creating a convenient and stylish ledge for storing remotes. This small but thoughtful detail means guests will no longer have to hunt around for the TV controls, adding to their overall comfort and ease of stay.
And circling back to the window, I noticed a minor but important detail regarding the curtain rod. The conduit I’m using, while perfectly functional, is just a tad too short to properly accommodate the decorative finials I plan to add to each end. This means I need to extend the pole by just a few inches to ensure a balanced and aesthetically pleasing look. A tutorial on this simple fix will be coming soon, but here’s a hint if you’ve ever pondered the best way to securely join metal and wood:
Looking Ahead: Optimizing for a Truly Multi-Functional Guest Space
With the Murphy bed securely mounted to the wall, the immediate impact is the incredible amount of floor space that has been liberated in the room. This newfound openness immediately shifts the focus to optimizing this area for a multitude of other possible uses, transforming it into a truly versatile multi-functional space. My primary goal now is to integrate a secondary office zone for K, which means we’re actively on the hunt for the perfect dresser that can be creatively repurposed into a stylish and functional desk. This will provide a quiet, dedicated area for work or study. Additionally, I envision this room serving as an inviting entertainment space, requiring thoughtful placement for speakers and potentially adding comfortable, flexible seating options. The next month for this series promises to be incredibly exciting as we bring these ambitious plans to life. I can almost see the finish line from here!
Vlog #3: Dive Deeper into the DIY Journey!
Don’t forget to hop over to Charlotte’s blog to check in on her progress! She’s been claiming she’s “almost finished” with her room for a while now, even stating she’d be done by this very update. So, if you leave a comment on her blog, make sure she knows that you know she’s still got work to do! And seriously, don’t let her distract you with those artfully arranged pillows and charming tchotchkes; her bed isn’t quite finished yet either, and I suspect it’s her clever way of hiding a secret shame! All in good fun, of course, but the competition is heating up!
P.S. I absolutely CANNOT WAIT to make even more progress on this built-in installation. The vision is getting closer to reality, and the excitement is palpable!