It’s great to have a spare room available when friends and family come to town. However, deciding how to set that room up so that guests feel comfortable and welcome can be a challenge. So, how do you create a space that will make all your guests feel at home, while still working with the rest of your house?
There are a few things to consider when putting together a guest bedroom. Having a cozy bed and handy bedside table are a given, but there may be some extras you haven’t considered. Here, we explore some of those factors and let you in on some tips for designing a guest space that’s sure to please.
1. Choose Wisely
Not everyone has the luxury of choosing from different rooms in the house to use as the guest bedroom, but if you have a choice there are a few factors that may make the selection easier. Ideally, a guest bedroom should have a bathroom attached. It should be inconspicuously placed so guests won’t need to cross the busiest part of the house to get to it and, for the sake of privacy, it shouldn’t be located next to a child’s room.
2. Clear the Clutter
It’s best to keep clutter to a minimum in a guest bedroom. You don’t want visitors to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable with unpacking their own items when staying with you. Having some decor is nice, but try to tuck away nick knacks or find a spot for them in another part of the house.
3. Make Things Cozy
You’ll want your guests to have a relaxing sleep, so making sure that the bed has all the essentials is imperative. Make the bed with some decent quality sheets and a comfy duvet or comforter. Include an extra blanket or two at the foot of the bed or nearby so that they’re handy if guests get cold. Also, outfitting the bed with pillows of varying softness and thickness will allow for people to choose what works best for them.
4. Add Some Extras
Staying in a guest room is never quite like sleeping at home, but you can help guests feel more settled by adding in some comforts of home. Place a clock and lamp on the bedside table. Add a few magazines or a small pile of books so that there’s something for those who like to read before going to sleep to look through. You may also want to include a basket or tray of toiletries such as travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and toothbrush in case visitors forget to pack something. Be sure to also put out some fresh towels, face cloths, tissues, and an extra roll or two of bathroom tissue.
5. Pretty it Up
You don’t want to clutter the guest room, but you want it to have some personality. Hanging a pretty mirror is a great way to add some decor to the room as well as giving guests an extra place to get ready in the morning. To kick things up a notch, if you place a vase in the room you can add fresh flowers just before guests arrive.
If you get your guest room together and are still unsure about it, then take it for a test run. In the days or weeks leading up to your guests’ arrival, hang out in their assigned room or area for an evening. Lamp need a new bulb? Carpet need a deep-cleaning? Cobwebs in the ceiling corners? TV remote need batteries? Spend a night as a guest in your own home and you’ll soon discover whether or not the room is ready.
