Decorating Your Guest Bedroom: Tips and Tricks

A guest bedroom can be a real game changer, and so helpful if you regularly have friends or family over to stay. But it can be hard to know how to decorate a room that isn’t somewhere you’ll necessarily be spending a lot of time yourself, so here are some ideas to get you started…

Choose neutral colours

Neutral colours work best for a spare or guest room, because of their calming nature. Because it’s less of a hang-out space and generally just somewhere where your guests will be sleeping, opting for soothing tones which bring in more light and make the space feel bigger is the way to go. Warm tones are much more relaxing, and there is still a wide colour range to choose from!

Incorporate plenty of storage

A guest bedroom is really helpful in that it offers you some extra storage space if you need it. By being clever with storage options, you can offer space for your guests to pop their belongings as well as having room for your own bits and bobs - built-in wardrobes work great for this, as do seating options with hollow storage space. Ottoman beds with drawers are a great idea because you can keep one drawer empty for guests to use and fill the rest with spare bedding, your holiday clothes, and even Christmas decorations!

If you use the room for something else (like an office, craft room, or gaming space) when it isn’t being used as a guest room, then having an easy storage system in place is a must. This means everything can be popped away and tidied easily when the room is needed to host guests - even if it’s a last-minute situation. Staying on top of the tidiness definitely helps, too.

Make the bed extra comfortable

When people come to stay, you of course want them to be comfortable! Buying good quality bedroom products will ensure your guests feel like your place is a home away from home: a sturdy bed, a good mattress, and soft bedding are key to making this happen. With a mattress topper single beds can feel just as comfortable as bigger beds, which is perfect if you’ve only got room for a smaller bed - as is the case with many guest bedrooms. Adding a nice cosy blanket on top will go a long way to making your guest feel perfectly at home, too. A comfortable bed is key to a good night’s sleep, which ultimately makes for a happier life for everybody.

Add a welcome basket

This might seem a bit extra, but it’s a really nice touch. Grab a little basket and pop a spare toothbrush in there alongside some cotton buds, deodorant, an eye mask, some snacks… pretty much anything you want, and more importantly, anything you think your guest(s) might want! This is definitely your chance to get creative, and you don’t need to spend a lot on it either - but we all know that sometimes when we end up staying at somebody else’s house, we can forget to bring certain things with us. This will just put your guests’ minds at ease.

Adding some fresh flowers into the room when you know guests are coming to stay is another really sweet and personal touch, and something that definitely makes your guest feel welcomed into your home.

Make it cosy

It’s not just the blankets that help make a guest bedroom cosy. Opting for warm lighting, big cushions, thick curtains, nice rugs, and scented candles can go a long way to making a space look and feel really cosy. Pick ones that fit within your chosen colour scheme, and are again of good quality, to ensure everything has a really lovely and cohesive feel to it. If you’re decorating from scratch, then choosing carpet instead of hard floorings like laminate or lino is key to making a room feel nice and snug!

Put up framed prints

Personalise the guest room even further by decorating its walls with framed prints that reflect your personal style or hold sentimental value, such as stunning landscapes, abstract art pieces, quotes or photographs that speak to you personally or have sentimental value. Not only can these add visual interest but they can also convey a homey atmosphere - be sure to choose frames that complement the overall decor of the room to enhance its aesthetics. Minimalist styles would work best with black or white frames and for a rustic or eclectic vibe go for vintage or wooden ones instead. Framed prints bring artful touches while making spaces feel more cosy - truly homely than ever!

Decorating a guest bedroom can seem like an overwhelming task, but ultimately it’s all about creating a cosy space where guests feel comfortable and at home - hopefully, these tips will have given you an insight into some of the best ways to achieve this.

Original Publication Date: 6/16/23