In Part I of this coastal guest bedroom makeover, I shared how the bed came together…
After getting my decorating sea legs with the bed in Part I, I was ready to move on.
In Part I, I layered in softness, texture, and a few meaningful touches.
And while that was a big step, the room still felt… unfinished.
You can make a bed look beautiful, but it’s the everyday spaces — the shelves, the desk, the little corners — that make a room feel complete.
So next up: the bookcase and desk.
For the sake of manageability (because overwhelm is real), I broke this refresh into three parts:
Bed.
Bookcase/Desk.
Sitting Area.
With the first piece in place, it was time to turn my attention to the built-ins.
Shelves can quickly feel cluttered, so I knew I wanted to approach them thoughtfully.
Why I Keep Styling Simple
Full disclosure: I am not a knick-knack-on-every-surface kind of girl.
There are a few reasons for that.
Practicality — Dust.
Dusting was one of my chores growing up, and I learned early on: the fewer tchotchkes, the better.
Visual Appeal.
Less clutter is simply easier on the eyes.
Calming.
Open space feels restful — and that’s exactly what I want this room to be.
(With the exception of Christmastime. Then it looks like Santa’s elves staged a decorating takeover. 😉
I also try to include pieces with meaning. Yes, color and texture matter — but I want the items in our home to reflect us… the Padilla crew. With that in mind, here’s how the bookcase and desk came together.
BOOKCASE
Height & Texture
The top shelf has a little extra vertical space, so I needed something taller to balance it out. A soft blue vase filled with tall grasses added height and a subtle coastal feel without overpowering the shelf.
Texture — but nothing crazy.
Sentiment
A rustic Victoria Beach sign made its way into the mix — a small reminder of childhood summers spent there. It blends with the palette, but it carries history.
Those are my favorite kinds of pieces — simple, but personal.
Books (Because… Obviously)
Normally I let my books be exactly as they are — colorful spines, titles showing, no apologies.
But this time, I wanted the shelves to feel softer and more cohesive.
So I wrapped several in kraft paper from Dollar Tree.
Yes — the old-school textbook cover method made a comeback.
It toned down the visual noise while still keeping them functional. Guests can still peek at the titles if they’d like — and if they want more options, our living room shelves are always stocked.
Budget-friendly and surprisingly effective.
Greenery
I admire people with a green thumb.
I am not one of them.
Faux greenery brings in life and texture without requiring a rescue mission every other week. I kept the tones muted so the green feels natural, not loud.
Functional Fillers
A small clock (still practical, even in the age of smartphones).
A neutral decorative box that could eventually house a TV remote if we add one.
Every item has a purpose — function, sentiment, or texture. Nothing extra. Nothing random.
DESK AREA
To finish off the bookcase without crowding the space, I added a watercolor from an artist on Etsy. The soft tones tied in beautifully with the rest of the room.
I found a neutral frame with subtle beading details — just enough texture to add interest without stealing the show.
On the lower shelves, I added a few more kraft paper–covered books, with one exception — a surfing book. It felt right to leave that one uncovered. It adds another subtle nod to the coastal vibe and keeps the styling from feeling too uniform or overly staged.
The desk itself follows the same philosophy: simple and open. When guests stay, I want them to feel like the space is truly theirs — not like they’re carefully working around our things.
An uncluttered surface leaves room for:
- A laptop
- A journal
- A suitcase
- Or fresh flowers and neatly folded towels waiting for them
The desk chair is actually one of our extra dining chairs — pulled in when we host a larger crew. I love when pieces serve more than one purpose. Functional. Flexible. Budget-friendly. That’s a win.
Wrapping it Up:
Little by little, this room is starting to feel intentional instead of empty.
The bed brought comfort.
The shelves brought personality.
The desk added function.
But there was still one final layer missing — a spot to sit, exhale, and truly enjoy the space.
In Part III, I’ll share how the sitting area came together — and how that final touch turned this room from “guest bedroom” into full retreat.
Stay tuned.
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What a clever idea!!
I love the colors. The vibe is so warm and welcoming.