Should a Guest Bedroom Be Upstairs or Downstairs?

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

When you invite guests to stay at your home, you may wonder whether you should have a guest bedroom set up upstairs or downstairs. You want to ensure your guests feel welcome, so creating a comfortable space in your home is essential.

A guest bedroom should ideally be downstairs and with a private bath. It will be more convenient and accessible, especially if your guests are often your aging parents or have some disabilities. It is also a more private location, away from other bedrooms.

This article will discuss whether a guest bedroom should be located upstairs or downstairs in your home and what factors you should consider when making this decision. I’ll also list some alternative guest area options.

Guest Bedroom Upstairs vs. Downstairs: Factors To Consider

When deciding whether to put a guest bedroom upstairs or downstairs in your home, you should carefully consider a few things.

Who Will Your Guests Be Primarily?

Having a guest bedroom can be great, especially if guests stay over often.

One thing to consider is whether your guests will primarily be your older parents visiting you occasionally.

If your older parents will often come to stay with you, having a guest bedroom downstairs is ideal, so they don’t have to worry about taking the stairs to reach their room.

Even younger guests can appreciate having a guest bedroom downstairs, especially if they want to stay up later than usual.

Additionally, having a downstairs guest bedroom will make it easy for any guests looking to go out and return late at night. They can conveniently access their room once they’re back.

Do Your Guests Have Any Disabilities?

Another aspect to consider about having guests over is whether they have any disabilities that can make it difficult for them to walk upstairs.

If your guests have any physical issues or past surgeries, you want them to be comfortable and ensure that their guest bedroom is downstairs.

Your older parents and grandparents may also prefer a guest bedroom downstairs if they have back, hip, or knee issues.

Which Area in Your Home Provides the Most Privacy for Guests?

If you have your main bedrooms upstairs, it is best to put a guest bedroom downstairs to give your guests some privacy.

It would be even better if a downstairs bedroom had a private bath. This way, everyone else in the upstairs bedrooms won’t have to share a bathroom with guests.

Kids can also make it challenging to provide your guests some privacy, so having a bedroom downstairs away from the kids’ rooms will give guests a little more space and solitude.

Where in the House Will You Be Entertaining Your Guests?

It is also essential to think about where you will be entertaining your guests in your home. Most homes will have a living room, kitchen, and dining area downstairs.

If you have a guest bedroom downstairs, it will be much more accessible for your guests as you entertain. They can easily head to their bathroom for breaks, go to bed when they are ready to hit the sack, or have the option to go into the kitchen if they need a glass of water late at night.

Having your entertaining area and guest bedroom near one another is also beneficial if the spouses have different schedules and one needs to go to bed earlier than the other.

Where To Place a Guest Bedroom Based on the Vastu Principles?

One unique technique is using the Vastu Shashtra principles when deciding whether to place a guest bedroom upstairs or downstairs. It combines specific elements to create a serene space in the home and is often used to ensure the house’s floor plan has a smooth flow.

While the principles originated in India, many people use them globally in construction, building, and organizing spaces since they are based on scientific concepts.

According to the Vastu Shashtra principle, you would want to place your guest bedroom in the northwest direction of your home. Whether that is upstairs or downstairs depends on your home floor plan.

If you have a new home built and can choose your floor plan, you can discuss the guest bedroom location with your builder before they begin construction.

What if I Must Have a Guest Bedroom Upstairs?

Not everyone can choose whether to have a guest bedroom upstairs or downstairs.

If you can only offer a guest bedroom upstairs, check if it is acceptable for your guests. While it may not be as comfortable or private, having a separate bedroom they can sleep in overnight is still great, regardless of what floor it is located on in the house.

If you want to give your guests more privacy, you can offer the master bedroom as a guestroom so that they can still have their bathroom to use rather than share one with other household members.

Choosing a room upstairs in a private corner and away from the kids’ bedrooms can also provide additional privacy and space for guests.

What Are Some Guest Bedroom Alternatives To Consider?

There are alternatives for a guest space beside a guest bedroom upstairs or downstairs.

Consider having a guest house shed for your guests, as these are perfect for providing additional comfort and privacy.

Another guest space option is to create an open guest bedroom downstairs in a dedicated corner of the home or near the living room area.

Using furniture like pull-out couches can help create a comfortable space for your guests. They may like watching television while lying down and having easy access to the kitchen.

You can still get creative in making a comfortable guest space regardless of your home layout.

Conclusion

Having a guest bedroom downstairs rather than upstairs is much more convenient. It allows guests with disabilities to avoid taking the stairs often and is excellent for aging elders who plan to visit you often.

The main goal of having a separate guest bedroom is to provide privacy, and having one downstairs is generally more practical.

The ideal scenario is to have a guest bedroom with a bathroom downstairs, allowing easy access to the kitchen and entertainment living area.