Whether it’s your in-laws or your best friend from college, it’s always special when friends and loved ones come to stay at your house. You can help make your guests feel at home in your home by creating a warm and welcoming space for them when designing your guest room.
- Bed Time
- Pillow Talk
- Be Bold
- Settle Down
- Break the Rules
- Creature Comforts
- Go Green
Bed Time
The main purpose of a guest room is to provide a place for guests to sleep when staying at your house. While a dedicated guest room is certainly nice, it is possible to have a room that serves double duty. For instance, a room that you typically use as a home office or den can quickly be converted into a guest room when company stays over.
One of the easiest ways to do this is with a Murphy bed. These space-saving beds are built to look like furniture cabinets and fold up into the wall when not in use. Another option is a daybed. This functions more like a comfy sofa by day, but it can transform into a traditional bed at night. A trundle hidden underneath allows for more than one person to sleepover. The options are endless!
If you are fortunate enough to have a full room set aside as a guest room, you will want to make sure the bedding is large enough to accommodate at least two adults. A queen-sized bed should suffice, but another option is to use two twin beds for more flexibility.
Regardless of how many beds you offer, make sure that they are comfortable for your guests. Try to replicate the experience from your favorite hotel. You will want to outfit the bed with super-soft cotton sheets, a thick duvet, and lots of fluffy pillows.
Pillow Talk
Speaking of pillows, your guests will be most appreciative if you can offer a variety of pillow choices. Did you know that some high-end hotels even offer a pillow menu? It’s nice to be able to let your guests pick the pillow that reminds them most of home so that they can get a good night’s sleep. Some people will select a soft feather pillow while others may prefer a firm foam pillow — a good host will provide both.
Be Bold
When it comes to decorating a guest room, you can go one of two ways. You can stick with a more modern, monochromatic tone like many hotels are doing these days. Or, you can jump in and seize the opportunity to try something different. The guest room is the perfect place to push your decorating boundaries.
Elle Décor suggests going with an all-over print. Black and ivory toile print wallpaper with matching bedding makes a strong statement, especially when complimented by stark black furniture. Chevron print is another bold option. A bright blue chevron striped wallpaper paired with ikat patterned throw pillows on a crisp white duvet looks absolutely stunning.
For a real wow factor, why not introduce a statement piece as a headboard? Good Housekeeping recommends hanging a brightly colored area rug from a curtain rod or getting crafty and painting a unique pattern on the wall. Armed with just a yardstick, painter’s tape, and your favorite color (or colors) you can create a one-of-a-kind headboard.
Settle Down
You want your guests to feel comfortable in your home and that starts by making the guest room into a warm and inviting space. Try to carve out a small sitting area where your guests can unwind; a place that provides a little privacy separate from the host family. This could be a comfy chair tucked into the corner or a plush window seat.
A bench at the foot of the bed is another great piece of furniture to add to your guest room. It’s a convenient spot for guests to sit but it also provides a place to put luggage while unpacking. You should also provide plenty of closet space (with hangers) and a few dresser drawers for your guests to unpack and get settled into their home away from home.
Speaking of which, you want your guests to feel welcome and a great way to do that is to provide them with your WIFI password. This will allow them to log in to catch up on any office work or binge-watch their favorite TV shows. The experts at HGTV offer up a super cute way to share this information – and keep your guests from having to ask you for your password. Simply print your WIFI password information onto a pretty piece of paper or in a funky font and place it in a small frame on the nightstand or dresser.
Break the Rules
When it comes to designing your guest room, it’s okay to break the rules. Now is the perfect time to get creative with your décor and furnishings. Forget the nightstand! You could use a trendy chair instead — think acrylic or rattan — or even a brass bar cart. Good Housekeeping notes that tiered shelves make an ideal bedside table, as they can hold extra towels, books, and even a carafe of freshwater or some small water bottles and snacks to help your guests feel right at home.
Another option, especially if your guest room is small, is to use a shelf as a nightstand and install a wall sconce freeing up floor space. Likewise, you can go large as well. A dresser can be used as a bedside table, providing functional storage and a place for guests to place their phones and personal items.
If you have a small desk in your guest room, consider adding a make-up mirror so your guests can easily use it as a vanity. It’s also nice to hang a full-length mirror in your guest room. Not only will this make a small room feel much larger, but your guests will be able to check out their #OOTD (outfit of the day) before setting out for the day’s activities.
Creature Comforts
You want your guests to feel at home when they stay with you. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure you supply them with all the comforts of home. This means providing plenty of clean towels, an extra blanket for cold nights (or powerful air conditioning), and, if you really want to indulge them, a plush bathrobe to wear.
A small basket of toiletries is always a nice touch. You could include sample size shampoo and conditioner, body lotion, even toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Guests will also welcome easy access to USB charging ports or plugs to charge their cell phones and electronics. Consider installing a few hooks by the door so your guests have a convenient place to hang their coats, hats, and handbags, instead of piling them on a chair or tabletop. When designing your space, think about all the helpful things you find in a fancy hotel and try to incorporate them into your guest room.
Go Green
Last but not least, bring a bit of nature into your guest room. An arrangement of fresh flowers shows your guests that you are excited to have them stay with you. Live plants are another lovely addition, and they offer plenty of health benefits as well. Greenery has been proven to reduce indoor air pollutants and acts as a natural dehumidifier. Plus, plants complement any décor style from modern minimalist to boho chic – and everything in between.
Conclusion
Whether it’s friends or family that will be staying with you, you always want your guests to feel welcome in your home. The best way to do this is to create a warm and inviting guest room. Designing your guest room also provides you with the opportunity to have fun and think outside of the box. It’s the perfect place to experiment with color and push the boundaries in terms of traditional décor – just be sure to provide your guests with a comfortable bed to sleep in at the end of the day.