The guest bedroom will become your visitor’s home away from home. It should be welcoming, comfortable, and relaxing. But what makes an ideal guestroom, and how do you create one in your own home? A combination of practical design, stylish elements, and comfortable touches will make your guestroom a favorite travel destination.
If you are wondering how to style your guestroom, start from a simple place: make your guestroom a place you would want to vacation. Though it may be used primarily by visitors, the guestroom is still a part of your home. A part you may end up using during late-night projects or when a sick spouse needs to quarantine. Make it a beautiful space where you and your guests will feel welcome.
Give your room some personality that matches the rest of your home. The decor theme doesn’t have to be complex. It could be as simple as sticking with a basic color scheme or choosing furniture from the same era as the rest of your home. There’s no need to create an extensive beach bungalow guestroom complete with a tiki bar (though you probably could if you really wanted to). One or two works of art and a few accent pieces will add a finished, livable look to your guestroom.
The bed is the centerpiece of your guestroom. As such, it should be a perfect combination of comfort and style.
Choose a bed that not only highlights your chosen decor, but one that is comfortable for all of your guests. A bed that is very low or extra tall may look dramatic or fashionable but can be difficult to get in and out of, especially for those with back problems or mobility issues. Instead, stick to a standard height bed that matches your space.
If you have a multi-purpose guestroom without a lot of extra space, a twin or a twin XL bed may be the best fit. However, if possible, a queen-size bed is the ideal choice. Queen beds are large enough for couples, and long enough to fit most adults so their feet aren’t dangling off the ends.
A good night’s sleep will set the tone for the entire visit, so this is not the time to repurpose that old mattress you’ve had for 30 years. If the sleeping surface is lumpy and uncomfortable, your guests may wake up feeling groggy, grumpy, and unrested. Instead, choose a new memory foam, innerspring, or hybrid mattress.
When it comes to mattress firmness, consider purchasing a firmer mattress and a memory foam mattresses topper that can be added for those who like a softer bed. Or, since a guestroom can easily become a breakroom if you work from home, or a sick room if you have a spouse you don’t want to contaminate, the best advice is to choose a mattress that you like so you can use it when needed.
The comfort of your guest bed doesn’t rely solely on the mattress. Being wrapped up in scratchy sheets or freezing under a threadbare blanket won’t exactly make your guests feel relaxed and welcome. Choose bedding that is comfortable and welcoming. (Assuming you want your guests to come back. We won’t tell if you don’t.)
Consider a fluffy comforter or a cozy quilt that matches your decorative theme. Soft but durable sheets made from high-quality, pill-resistant materials like long-staple cotton will ensure that your guests feel cozy and get the true hotel experience. Provide extra blankets, pillows, and sheet sets in case your guests get cold or their bed needs a refresh.
Provide a place for your guests to store their clothes. Being able to unpack instead of rummaging through a suitcase every day will add a sense of comfort, ease, and organization to your guest’s stay.
The chest of drawers and the dresser are both classic choices for clothing storage that help your room look complete. A chest of drawers features four to six drawers, and the tall, narrow design is ideal for small spaces. A dresser usually has six to ten drawers, and the wide, low design is perfect for displaying décor, supporting a television, or holding a mirror, adding extra style and storage space.
If you don’t have room in your guestroom for a dresser or a chest of drawers, a closet organizer makes a fantastic option. These pieces often include drawers and shelves along with hanging racks to offer plenty of storage options. Closet organizers not only optimize storage space, they are also an easy way to keep your closet tidy.
If your guestroom was originally designed as a spare room or an office, it may not have any closet space at all. In that case, you may want to consider adding a wardrobe or an armoire. While wardrobes are typically more compact and relatively simple, armoires tend to be larger and more ornate. Either option will give your guestroom an extra touch of convenience and style.
Make sure that your guests have a place to stow their suitcases, so they aren’t tripping over their luggage during their stay. This could be under the bed, in a closet, or even in an out-of-the-way corner in their bedroom. However, a dedicated luggage rack will give your guests a place to rest their suitcase while sorting through it, providing quick and easy access to their items.
To make your guestroom really stand out, you may need to incorporate some additional pieces of furniture. Not only will these pieces help to create a complete room with a welcoming ambiance, they will also add much needed convenience to your guest’s experience.
A nightstand is a must-have item for any bedroom. Not only are nightstands ideal for holding a table lamp, they provide a place to keep necessary items close by so guests don’t have to stumble to find them in the middle of the night. You can also stock your nightstand with convenience items such as aspirin, antacids (a must-have if you’ve been eating heavy meals), and tissues.
If there is enough space in your guestroom, provide a plush armchair or recliner where your guests can relax during downtime. Not only will a chair add an extra cozy feeling to your room, it will also provide a place for guests to relax without having to lie down. Even if your guestroom has a comfortable bed, there are times when your visitors will want to sit down, such as when working on a laptop, reading a book, or watching TV.
A desk or vanity can serve multiple purposes in a guestroom. A desk can be used as a workspace, a place to sit and eat a snack, or even work as a makeshift luggage stand. A vanity can double as a desk, as well as provide a place to get ready for the day when the bathroom is occupied.
It can be awkward trying to get from the light switch to your bed, especially in an unfamiliar room. Give your guests control over the lighting in their room with a remote-controlled fan or light fixture, or a fixture with a smart bulb. This allows guests to turn off their light from the bed and gives them control over the brightness in their space. Lamps near the bedside or next to any chairs in the room are great if your guests need a reading light.
Once you’ve added the basics to your space, a few comfortable details and amenities will take your guestroom to the next level.
If you have hardwood floor or a carpet that is less than plush, consider adding a soft rug to the side of your bed. This extra touch of comfort will keep bare feet feeling cozy and warm, even on a cold winter morning. An area rug is also a great way to add extra depth and visual interest to your living space.
Make it easy to use, charge, and access tech. A power strip or a charging port provides plenty of space for your guests to plug in all of their devices. Consider providing a basket full of extra power cords in case their chargers were broken in transit, or accidentally left at home.
Make it easy for your guests to connect to the wi-fi by providing a chalkboard or other message board with your wi-fi password on it. And a conveniently placed television with a streaming device will give your guests an easy way to watch television during downtime. If you trust your guest’s taste, you can sign into your streaming services and get some great recommendations while being accommodating.
To really go the extra mile for your guests, set up an amenities area. This could include convenience items they may have forgotten or not had room for, such as lotion, nail clippers, or lip balm. Also consider creating a snack area with items like little bags of cookies or crackers, fresh or dried fruit, and bottles of water and/or soda. Mugs and an electric kettle for seasonal drinks such as packets of cider or hot cocoa can also help your guest feel welcome and relaxed. Also remember to place a trashcan in the room for wrappers and used tissues.
Not every home has a dedicated guest space. Or, you may have a guestroom, but find yourself with more people than beds. You can still create a welcoming guest space, even in a living room, a home office, a craft room, or another shared space.
Almost any room in your house can become a guestroom as long as there is a place for someone to sleep. A home office or work area can easily double as a guestroom. If you don’t like the look of a regular bed in your work area, you can consider a daybed. A daybed uses an actual mattress, but the clever design of the frame allows the bed to double as a sofa.
If you have frequent visitors, you can also consider a sleeper sofa for your home office or living space. Sofa beds come in a variety of styles, from the traditional pull-out mattress to sofas with cushions that fold down to create a sleeping surface.
If you’re looking for a more portable option, you can always opt for an air mattress. Because they can be deflated and folded up, air mattresses are a comfortable but easy-to-store option. Air mattresses come in a variety of styles and options, many of which include built-in air pumps. Air mattresses also offer the ability to adjust the firmness to the most comfortable level for your guest.
The tri-fold mattress is another great option when you need to turn floor into sleeping space. These folding mattresses are often made from memory foam and come in a variety of sizes to accommodate your guests. The folding design makes these mattresses easy to store and set up. Though they may take up more storage space than a deflated air mattress, you never have to worry about them leaking or losing air pressure. These are especially great options for kids.
Whatever bed or mattress you choose, make sure that you provide plenty of sheets, blankets, and pillows so your guests stay comfortable.
Everybody needs a little privacy. That can be hard to come by when you have guests sleeping in one of the major living areas, such as the family room. To make guests feel more welcome, consider providing a room divider or a curtain that can be set up at bedtime. Room dividers can be folded and pushed to the side during the daytime hours when people may want to watch TV or hang out. Just make sure that your guests know they are welcome, and that the room is theirs for the night each night they stay. This will help them feel comfortable using a community space.
Now that you know all about putting together a guestroom, shop bedroom furniture for your home.
