7 DIY Guest Room Makeover Projects Under $200 %

That guest room. We all have one. It’s that space that’s supposed to be a welcoming oasis for visitors but often ends up as a dumping ground for half-forgotten exercise equipment and boxes you swear you’ll unpack someday. You want to give it a refresh, but the thought of dropping thousands of dollars makes you want to just close the door and forget about it. I get it. I’ve been there.

But what if I told you that you could completely transform that room for less than $200? Seriously. You don’t need a massive budget or a professional design crew to create a space your guests will love. All you need is a little creativity, a weekend, and a willingness to get your hands dirty. I’ve tackled my own sad-looking guest room on a tight budget, and I’m here to share some of my favorite high-impact, low-cost projects. Let’s make that room guest-ready without breaking the bank.

1. Create a Stunning Accent Wall

An accent wall is the ultimate makeover cheat code. Why paint the whole room when you can create a massive visual impact by focusing on just one wall? It’s faster, cheaper, and lets you be a bit more daring with your design choices.

Picking Your Wall and Method

The best wall for an accent is usually the one behind the bed, as it naturally draws the eye and frames the room’s main feature. You have a few options here, each with its own vibe.

A Bold Paint Color: This is the most straightforward route. Choose a deep, moody color like navy or emerald green to add a touch of drama. Or go for a bright, sunny yellow to make the room feel cheerful. The best part? A single gallon of high-quality paint is well under $50.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: Feeling a little more adventurous? Peel-and-stick wallpaper is your new best friend. It’s incredibly forgiving (you can literally peel it off and reposition it), and the design possibilities are endless. From modern geometrics to lush botanicals, you can find a pattern that completely changes the room’s personality. Most rolls cover a decent area and cost between $30-$60. For a standard wall, you might need two or three rolls, keeping you well within budget.
DIY Board and Batten: If you want texture and architectural interest, a simple board and batten treatment is the way to go. It looks incredibly high-end but is surprisingly simple to install with some MDF boards, a nail gun, and some paint. The materials for a single wall will likely run you less than $150. I did this in my guest room, and people always assume it was professionally done. It’s my favorite “wow” feature.

2. Upgrade the Lighting Situation

Is your guest room still rocking that sad, flush-mount ceiling light from the ’90s? You know, the one affectionately known as the “boob light”? Good lighting can make or break a room’s ambiance, and swapping out that fixture is a game-changer.

From Drab to Fab

You don’t need to be an electrician to change a light fixture, but if you’re not comfortable, please hire one. Safety first! That said, it’s a fairly simple DIY project. You can find stunning semi-flush mounts or even small chandeliers online for under $100. Look for something that matches your new accent wall or the overall vibe you’re creating.

Layer Your Lights

Don’t stop at the ceiling. A room needs multiple sources of light to feel cozy and functional.

Bedside Lamps: Every guest needs a lamp for reading. You can find stylish pairs for under $60 at places like Target or HomeGoods. If you’re really pinching pennies, hit up a thrift store. A quick coat of spray paint can make even the most dated lamp look chic and modern.
Floor Lamp: If you have an empty corner, a floor lamp can add both height and warmth. An arc lamp or a simple tripod lamp adds a sculptural element to the room for around $50-$70.

3. DIY a Headboard

A bed without a headboard can look a little… unfinished. A headboard anchors the bed and adds a dose of comfort and style. Custom-made headboards can be wildly expensive, but who needs one of those when you can make your own for a fraction of the cost?

Creative & Cheap Headboard Ideas

Upholstered Plywood: This is a classic DIY project for a reason. All you need is a piece of plywood cut to size, some foam padding, batting, and your fabric of choice. Use a staple gun to wrap and secure the fabric. You can even add tufting with a button kit for a more luxurious look. All in, you’re looking at about $80-$120.
Reclaimed Wood: For a rustic or bohemian vibe, create a headboard from reclaimed wood planks. You can often find old pallets or fence boards for free. Just give them a good sanding and seal them. Arrange them horizontally or in a herringbone pattern for extra flair. Cost? Potentially next to nothing.
Painted Arch: This is my favorite super-budget trick. Use painter’s tape to outline a large arch or rectangle on the wall behind the bed, then paint it in a contrasting color. It gives the illusion of a headboard without costing more than a sample pot of paint. Seriously, it’s brilliant.

4. Curate a Welcoming “Guest Station”

Think about what makes a hotel stay feel special. It’s the little thoughtful touches. You can recreate that experience with a designated “guest station.” It shows your visitors you were thinking of them and makes them feel truly cared for.

Build the Perfect Nook

You don’t need a lot of space. A small floating shelf, a little tray on the dresser, or even a cleared-off section of a desk will do.

Here’s what to include:

A Small Carafe and Glass: So they don’t have to stumble to the kitchen for water in the middle of the night.
A Welcome Note: A simple handwritten card with the Wi-Fi password is a must.
A Phone Charger: An extra multi-port charger is a lifesaver. Someone always forgets theirs.
A Small Basket of Toiletries: Think travel-sized toothpaste, a new toothbrush, lotion, and shampoo.
A Local Touch: Maybe a local magazine, a map with your favorite spots circled, or a snack from a neighborhood bakery.

Most of these items you might already have, or you can gather them for under $40. It’s the thoughtfulness that delivers the impact, not the price tag.

5. Refresh Old Furniture with Paint

Have a tired-looking dresser or a pair of mismatched nightstands? Don’t toss them! A little paint can work wonders and is the most budget-friendly way to get “new” furniture. Honestly, the transformative power of paint is almost magical.

The Right Way to Paint Furniture

Don’t just slap a coat of paint on and call it a day. A little prep work goes a long way.

Clean It: First, give the piece a thorough cleaning with a degreaser to remove any grime or furniture polish.
Scuff Sand It: You don’t need to sand it down to bare wood. Just use a medium-grit sanding block to scuff up the existing finish. This helps the primer stick.
Prime It: This is the step everyone wants to skip, but don’t. A good bonding primer ensures your paint job will last and prevents the old color from bleeding through.
Paint It: Apply two thin coats of a quality furniture paint (chalk paint and mineral paint are great for beginners).
Seal It: Finish with a topcoat of wax or polycrylic to protect the surface from scratches and wear.

For about $50 in supplies (sandpaper, primer, paint, and a brush), you can give a major piece of furniture a whole new life. Swapping out the hardware for new knobs or pulls (around $20-$30) is the final touch that makes it look brand new.

6. Bring in Life with Plants and Textiles

An empty room feels sterile. The fastest way to add life, color, and texture is with plants and textiles. These are the finishing touches that make a space feel complete and lived-in.

Go Green

Plants literally breathe life into a space. Don’t have a green thumb? No problem. There are plenty of low-maintenance options.

Snake Plant: Nearly impossible to kill. It tolerates low light and infrequent watering.
ZZ Plant: Another indestructible choice that looks sleek and modern.
Pothos: This trailing plant is super forgiving and looks great spilling over the side of a shelf or dresser.

A few small plants and stylish pots will set you back less than $60 and make the room feel instantly fresher.

Layer on the Cozy

Textiles are your secret weapon for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Think layers.

Throw Pillows: You can never have too many. Mix and match textures, colors, and patterns on the bed. You can find great pillow covers online for cheap and use inserts you already own.
A Chunky Knit Blanket: Drape one across the foot of the bed. It screams “curl up and get cozy.”
A Small Area Rug: Even if the room is carpeted, a small rug next to the bed gives feet a soft place to land in the morning. A 3×5 rug can be found for under $50.

7. Create a DIY Art Gallery Wall

Bare walls are boring walls. But custom art is expensive. The solution? A DIY gallery wall. This is your chance to inject personality into the room and create a feature that is totally unique.

Gather Your Art

You don’t need to be an artist. “Art” can be anything that looks good to you.

Free Printables: There are thousands of websites offering beautiful, high-resolution art you can download and print for free. Look for botanicals, abstracts, or vintage sketches.
Your Own Photos: Print some of your favorite travel photos in black and white for a cohesive, sophisticated look.
Postcards, Fabric Scraps, or Pages from a Book: Frame anything that catches your eye! A beautifully illustrated page from a damaged vintage book can look amazing.

Frame it Up

The key to a good gallery wall is a cohesive set of frames. But they don’t have to be expensive. Hit up thrift stores, IKEA, or craft stores for simple, affordable frames. Buy them in different sizes but a single color (like black, white, or gold) to tie the whole collection together. Lay out your arrangement on the floor first before you start hammering nails. For under $100, you can fill a whole wall with personal, meaningful art.

Conclusion

There you have it. Seven projects, all under $200, that can take your guest room from a forgotten space to a favorite destination. You don’t have to do them all at once. Pick one or two to start with this weekend. You’ll be amazed at the difference a little paint, a new light fixture, or a few thoughtful touches can make. Your guests (and your wallet) will thank you. Now, which project are you going to tackle first?