It’s nice to have somewhere to place suitcase-toting relatives and friends when they arrive at your door during holidays or any other time of the year.
“Traveling can be stressful, so it’s important to give your guests a place where they can relax and recharge,” stated Sean Anderson a Memphis-based interior designer. It’s all about being aware of your guests’ lives and being present to their needs so that they feel at ease when they stay in your home.
If you have the space, a well-designed guest bedroom can make all the difference. Guest rooms are less used than other rooms so they can become a dump for unwanted furniture and storage boxes. It’s time to get rid of the clutter and add some thoughtful touches when you have guests. Anderson stated, “It is the details that really make the difference.”
We asked interior designers for their help in creating a room that guests will love to stay in.
Make a statement or stick with neutrals
When it comes to designing guest rooms, there are two options. Designers recommend that you use color and pattern to make a statement in a guest room. This is similar to how they treat powder rooms.
“A guest bedroom for me is a place where you can have fun and do something unexpected,” stated Heidi Caillier a Seattle-based designer. She said that people are more likely to accept wallpapers or prints, making them more interesting, than a primary bedroom where they prefer it more relaxed.
In a Connecticut bedroom, Ms. Caillier used Fruit wallpaper from Morris & Co. to cover the walls. This vibrant pattern features leaves, flowers and citrus fruits.
Ms. Bean recommended that colors and patterns be chosen that are universally attractive. She said, “It should be somewhere everyone would like to sleep in.” It can be neutrals, or lots of color. But it should not be overwhelming or too stimulating.
It is up to you to decide what style you prefer.
Keep your eyes on the basics
The guest room shouldn’t be used as a place to store old mattresses. Roman Alonso, principal of the Los Angeles-based design company Commune, stated that a guest room should be adequate to provide basic amenities for a decent hotel room. This means that the bed should be comfortable and have high-quality bedding. Night stands and lamps are also important, as are rugs and lamps for reading.
Even though storage may not be a priority, overnight guests will need to store their luggage. Anderson stated, “I am one of those people who, whenever I check in to a hotel, or stay as an overnight guest in someone else’s home, must unpack everything.”
Pay attention to textiles
Even with cheap furniture, you can give your room a luxurious feel by using textiles. Begin by focusing your attention on the bed.
It is essential to have clean sheets. However, you should also consider offering multiple options for warmth, according to Nicole Fisher, founder of BNR Interiors, Hudson, N.Y.
Ms. Fisher tells guests that they will always have a quilt, duvet, and blanket when they are ready to decorate their guest rooms. This is so people can change the layers.
Pillow preference is another mystery. Ms. Caillier usually makes a bed with four pillows. Throw pillows can also be used as back support when sitting up in bed.
Ms. Fisher stated that the bathroom should have fresh towels and clean washcloths, regardless of whether it is located in the hallway or en suite. Towel bars, racks, or hooks should be provided for guests if they share the bathroom, especially in light of increased concerns about germs during the pandemic.
Make sure you have appropriate window coverings in your guest room. Mr. Alonso stated that rooms that receive a lot of sunlight should have drapery or blackout shades, possibly with a second layer, to control the light. An all-purpose light filtering shade might be sufficient for rooms that aren’t exposed to the sun or streetlights.
You can add a seating area (and maybe a work space) to your room.
Even the most social guests may eventually need some alone time. If you have enough space, consider adding a seating area to the guest room.
You could place a single chair, small side tables and a floor lamp in a corner of your room. Ms. Bean stated that she often places them by the window so that you can feel the sun shining through. Sometimes, she places a small sofa at one end of the bed, if space is available.
You should also consider whether you have enough space to fit a desk. Ms. Caillier stated that the pandemic has made remote working possible for many. “We’re definitely getting this request more now,” she said. “People want to have a place where they can work, whether it’s for their guests or themselves.”
You don’t need to make it big. You can use a small, freestanding desk, or a wall-mounted desk with a chair that folds away to make it easier to work on your laptop.
Get the accessories
A few thoughtful touches can make a space feel more special. Ms. Bean and Mr. Alonso like to have a coffee and tea station in their guest rooms.
Ms. Bean stated, “I like to keep a bar cart in my closet with an espresso maker and glass bottles water.” “Depending on how big your closet is, you can even fit a mini refrigerator in it.”
You can place small appliances in a smaller container on the nightstand. This will make it easier for guests to reach the kitchen when they need to have a drink.
Ms. Bean suggested that you provide reading material. She recommended coffee-table books, magazines, and magazines that are reflective of your interests. “That’s an opportunity to share a bit of your personality.”
Ms. Fisher loves to add fresh flowers as a decorative accent. Mr. Anderson may also provide a scented candle with matches for olfactory appeal.
The new constants of pandemic, hand sanitizers and sanitizing wissies, can be stored in a drawer or basket. These aren’t glamorous items, Ms. Bean stated, but they can provide a mental layer security and safety.
The goal is to make your guests feel like they are staying in a luxurious hotel.