If I Were to Design a Bed & Breakfast

I have always dreamed of designing a Bed & Breakfast.  I love the concept of them! 

When I design spaces, I always begin by imagining people using them.  It helps me rule out certain ideas while moving forward with others.  What atmosphere and lighting do I want to create for a group of friends and family gathered around a table?  Is there a cozy nook for someone to curl up in with a book?  What type of kitchen would be the most functional and beautiful workspace for the people using it?  So when I imagine designing a Bed & Breakfast, I do so with the guests in mind, trying to picture the sort of space I can see them enjoying.

I’d love to create a Bed & Breakfast that is open and airy that allows guests to just exhale and relax.  I’d want the home to be situated on a beautiful property, so that nature is a part of the respite it offers – I imagine tall trees giving dappled shade and long-range vistas of meadows or mountains.  I’d design the bedrooms to be spacious and beautiful, a true retreat for the weary, each with their own fireplace as well as luxurious bathroom with a soaking tub.  The Bed & Breakfast would be full of huge picture windows, going all the way to the ceiling, letting in a flood of natural light.  There would be a large dining table with comfortable chairs so guests can linger over meals, and there would be outdoor seating as well, perched right in the midst of a gorgeous garden with café string lights overhead.  (Hopefully there would also be a generous budget to accommodate all of this!)

Here are some of the images that inspire me as I dream up what I’d love to create . . .

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Marie Flanigan’s interiors are just stunning!  I’m swooning over the kitchen in this guest apartment she designed.  It’s open and airy with a pale palette.  A space like this would be a delight to cook in!

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This dining room is Bed & Breakfast perfection.  I love a wall of windows combined with French doors.  What a cheery space to eat a gourmet brunch!

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This dining room inspires me, too.  Love the clean lines and minimalist styling, not to mention the peaceful views through those beautiful windows.  Imagine the lingering after-dinner conversations beside the crackling fireplace!

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The high ceilings and open, airy feel of this kitchen portray the sort of space I’d want to create. The wood stools go beautifully with the neutral toned cabinetry.  This kitchen layout would work wonderfully for hosts wanting to get to know their Bed & Breakfast guests.

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I imagine the kitchen of the Bed & Breakfast having white cabinetry, with some organized open shelving and lots of warm wood accents throughout, such as cutting boards, wooden spoons, and rolling pins.  Somehow I’d like to blend “modern” and “cottage” styles together.  I love styling kitchen counters and shelves with plants, as seen here.  Greenery adds so much life to a room of otherwise hard surfaces! 

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I love having open windows with curtains blowing in the breeze.  Little café curtains in the kitchen would add a lot of charm!

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An espresso machine, pretty mismatched mugs, and fresh flowers would also be necessities for the Bed & Breakfast kitchen.

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Isn’t this a gorgeous space?!?  The window seat and beams in the above photo are just amazing – would definitely want to incorporate something similar!

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This window seat is another favorite!  Love the height of those windows, too.

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A window seat that capitalizes on an incredible view would be amazing.  Very creative to highlight the view in this way!

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This living room with the slipcovered wingback seems to embody the essence of a Bed & Breakfast to me.  So cozy and welcoming. I’d love for there to be shelves full of great books, too.

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As for the bedrooms, I’d love to do a room covered in white shiplap and furnished with painted furniture.

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The design goal for the bedrooms would be to create peaceful, restful spaces using white and warm wood tones.

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I love canopy beds!  They are so elegant.

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Isn’t the space so inviting and restful? Love the use of neutral tones, textiles, and textures.

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Such a peaceful space, and love that it has a built-in window seat! 

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Lastly, the clean lines of this bedroom and its fireplace also convey the look I’d want to create.

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As for bathrooms, I’d like to install exquisite tile to give the walls beauty.

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And I love the charm of this bathroom with the sloped ceiling and built-ins.  So inspiring!

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This soaking tub, chandelier, kilim rug and layered window treatments are sublime!  Definitely a space that inspires me!

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Lastly, a building that’s partially made of stone would be amazing – definitely one of my favorite styles of homes. 

Here’s a “Bed & Breakfast Design” moodboard I’ve created if you’d like to get the look in your own home!  Sources are listed below (I receive no commission for these). If you’re interested in a Custom Design Plan or Design Consultation from Canvas & Light Interiors, check out my website for more information or reach out via this contact form!  Whether you’re decorating a guest room, an Airbnb, an entire home or Bed & Breakfast, I’d love to help you create a stunning space!