26 Guest Bedroom Ideas to Make Your Visitors Feel Right at Home
It's all in the details.
Whether you agree with Benjamin Franklin that houseguests are like fish in that they start to stink after three days or you wish you could operate a bed and breakfast out of your home, having a proper guest room is always a good idea. To make sure everyone is comfortable during their stay—guests and hosts—give visitors the very best and make sure their quarters are all set up! Things like fresh flowers, blackout curtains, fluffed pillows, and a few more will elevate the guest experience, and leave a good impression on the loved ones who come to visit. Read on for designer=approved guest bedroom ideas, essentials, and style inspirations to curate a space that'll look beautiful and feel great.
Arrange Near a Bathroom
Setting up a guest bedroom with easy access to a bathroom is always a good idea, even if it isn't a private en-suite restroom. In this warm yet polished bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier, a pocket door (which is a major space-saver!) leads right to a small bathroom.
Don't Forget a Mirror
Hang a full length mirror so your guests have somewhere to evaluate their outfits before you to introduce them to everyone (just kidding). But really, houseguests will definitely appreciate having easy access to a full-length mirror since when living out of a suitcase. A mirror will also make a small guest bedroom feel larger. In this room at the Kinsley Hotel designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the extra hooks are also great for coats, robes, and towels.
Bring Them Breakfast (on a Bench)
Place a bench at the end of the bed to give the room a refined feel. And if you bring your guests breakfast in bed, you automatically earn a reputation as the best host ever. Giving them somewhere to sit other than the bed also diminishes the likelihood of spillage on the bedding.
Provide the Basics
Be sure to leave them water on their bedside table so they don't feel like they need to get up in the middle of the night in search of a tap. In this bedroom designed by Analisse Taft, a simple glass carafe complements the classic-meets-contemporary design.
Provide Reading Material
Provide your guests with some reading material in case they forgot to pack their own. Stacking floating shelves or a credenza like this one with books will also make a guest room feel homier and more personal. Sheer blinds in a recessed track filter the light in this bedroom designed by Regan Baker.
Consider a Climate Control System
Whether you're providing them with extra blankets or installing a ceiling fan, make sure you set your guests up for comfort with some sort of climate regulation tools. In this vacation home in Maui, Hawaii designed by Breeze Giannasio, the ceiling fan complements the tropical wood vaulted ceiling.
Convert a Nook
When you don't have an actual guest bedroom, maximize another room in the house by building out a nook. Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Koenig and architect Gil Schafer has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” says Schafer.
Liven it Up With Greenery
It's always a good idea to bring in plenty of greenery for a balanced, lively environment. In this bedroom designed by Lauren Nelson, she opted for a peaceful look with tall branches bunched together in an understated vase to match the cool California minimalism of the rest of the home.
Double the Fun With Twin Beds
You can't go wrong with twin beds featuring classic white bedding and headboards that match the wallpaper. Embroidered coverlets give them a formal, traditional look, while gingham skirts are a delightfully playful finish.
Transform the Attic
If all the rooms in your home are occupied or you just need to set up an extra guest bedroom, use your attic space. If the ceilings are low or sloped, keep everything low to the ground light to polish things off. This bedroom designed by McLaren.Excell is a lesson in restraint.
Hang a Diving Curtain
Not all room dividers are folding screens. You can get crafty! Interior designer Leanne Ford hung a curtain in this attic office nook to make it serve double duty as a guest room.
Give It a Reading Nook
A window seat is a great addition to a guest bedroom. It'll give them somewhere to cozy up in that isn't the communal living room. A dresser is also a nice touch, in case they'd like to unpack any of their belongings.
Introduce a Sitting Area
Give guests a little seating area so they have somewhere private to unwind that isn't just the bed. A simple reading nook will do, but if there's enough room, add a loveseat and a small coffee table. This mini living room in a gorgeous chalet bedroom designed by Kylee Shintaffer is truly aspirational.
Place a Phone on the Bedside Table
If you're a household that still has landlines installed, make sure there's one in the guest bedroom, too. It could come in handy if your guest's cell phone needs recharging, and if you don't get good cell service, this is even more essential.
Get Scrappy With Furniture
When space is limited and you don't want to shop for new, bulky furniture, use a chair as a side table and install wall sconces to save surface space. A cheerful color, like this pale turquoise hue, is also a good idea to set a happy mood.
Add a Mini Bar
Add a mini bar to give your guests extra privacy and a hotel vibe, especially if your guest bedroom is actually inn it's own private structure away from the main house. Just don't forget to keep it empty once they depart. For style inspiration, it doesn't get better than this summery set up by Robert McKinley Studio.
Leave Fresh Towels on Their Bed
Placings towels on the bed before your guests arrive leaves out the guesswork and shows them they're welcome. This bedroom designed by Shari Francis has bonus storage space above the closet, which may not be convenient for everyday items but is perfect for extra suitcases or outerwear—but make sure you clear out enough space for guests when they visit!
Provide a Robe and Towels
Want to take things to the next level? Make your guest room feel like a hotel by putting the things they'll need throughout their stay right there in the room, like a robe, slippers, and makeup remover.
Make It Do Double Duty
If your home doesn't have enough space for a guest room but you host a lot, make one of the other rooms in the house (like the family room or home office) serve double duty. Just put a daybed in a corner—make it super cozy and comfortable with tons of pillows and throws.
Use Darker Tones
Keep things streamlined, with clutter at a minimum, and bring in darker colors for a sense of intimacy and coziness. Bedside sconces are a guaranteed way to make your bedroom look and feel as fresh as a five-star hotel room.
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