When company comes over, it goes without saying that your living space should be spruced up to look and feel its best. Of course, the living room, kitchen, and dining room should be tidied, but what about the guest bedroom? While most spare bedrooms are only used on occasion, they still deserve the proper attention to make sure that your guests are comfortable when staying over at your house. If it’s been a while since your guest bedroom has been used, chances are that it could benefit from a bit of a refresh and redesign. Fortunately, creating an attractive and welcoming guest bedroom is easier than you might think! Check out these 8 tips from the design team at Star Furniture to help your loved ones feel at ease and pampered when staying in your spare bedroom.
1. Declutter & Freshen Up
Because guest rooms aren’t used as frequently as the other areas of the house, it’s easy for them to become a catch-all for items that you plan to “think about later.” Luggage, holiday decorations, out-of-season clothing, and more somehow find their way in piles cluttering up the room. When you’re expecting visitors, later quickly becomes now. Your overnight guests need more than just a bed to sleep on; it’s important that they have plenty of space to move freely around the room and store their belongings. After all, who can relax in a space that’s messy or cluttered? With this in mind, be sure that you get rid of any clutter and freshen up the space. Keep these tips in mind to help you get started:
- Ask yourself if you need, want, or love an item that’s cluttering up the room. If you can’t remember the last time you used it or determine when you’ll use it next, don’t hesitate to give it a second life by donating it to a worthy charity.
- Find a home for everything in the room, such as in a closet, drawer, or bin. Nothing should be left out on surfaces (other than decor, of course).
- If an item isn’t serving a particular purpose in the room (contributing to its style, function, or comfort), it’s probably not worth holding onto.
- If the space feels stale from inactivity, open the window to let in some sunlight and fresh air before your guests arrive.
- Give your spare bedroom a deep cleaning, particularly if it’s been a while since it was last used.
2. Set the Stage with a Calming Color Scheme
While some rooms in your home are all about function (Think: the Kitchen), the bedroom’s most important feature is how it feels. If your spare bedroom doesn’t feel calm and inviting, your visitors probably won’t look forward to spending time or recharging in the space. For bedrooms that lack a relaxing atmosphere, it’s likely the color scheme that’s to blame. Sure, decorating with vibrant colors, such as orange, red, and yellow, can be cheerful and fun, but these bold color choices can work against you in terms of creating a tranquil space to unwind. Because of this, it’s best to stick with colors that are soft, muted, or neutral when striving to design a calming bedroom. Grays, creams, blues, and greens are all great options that can effortlessly transform your ordinary guest bedroom into a restful oasis.
3. Consider the Furniture and Accessories
You probably don’t think about the furniture and accessories in your guest room very often, but you should! If your spare bedroom has become an accumulation of random furnishings you’ve collected over the years, give yourself permission to start fresh. Consider doing some shopping to replace your outdated furniture with something more practical, functional, and appealing. Your overnight guests will thank you. The good news is that you don’t need a lot of items to create a guest bedroom that exudes style and coziness. A comfortable bed, dresser, and side table are all essential bedroom staples, but a few other thoughtful pieces can go a long way in terms of creating a relaxing space for your overnight guests. If you’re interested in giving your guest room a calming redesign, here are some bedroom furniture and accessory ideas that can make the space feel just right:
- Brighten things up with a variety of light sources, such as a table lamp on the side table or a floor lamp in the corner.
- Bring in black-out curtains to give your guests a much-needed touch of privacy along with blocking out unwanted natural light while guests sleep.
- If you have the available space, include a small desk and chair to make working from home a breeze.
- Help the space feel inviting and warm with an area rug and some indoor plants.
4. Stow It!
Just as in your own bedroom where it’s necessary to have designated spots to keep your items neatly tucked away, having access to functional storage solutions in your guest bedroom is also essential. Whether your visitors are staying with you for one night or an extended amount of time, providing them with enough space to store their clothing, lay out their belongings, and move around the room without bumping into things is a great way to help them feel like your home is theirs. After all, living out of a suitcase is no fun, even temporarily. Check out these storage solutions that can make your guest bedroom as functional and comfortable as possible for your guests (and you!).
- Leave a few drawers in the dresser empty for guests to put their clothing away.
- Provide hangers and empty spaces in the closet for clothes, shoes, and suitcases.
- Store extra linens and pillows in a chest in a convenient location, such as at the foot of the bed
5. The Mattress Matters
When it comes to designing a guest room that will rival even the best hotel in town, the mattress you choose matters. If you think that your guest bedroom is the perfect place to use the old mattress from your primary bedroom that you need to get rid of, think again. Even if your spare bedroom is rarely used, it’s still important to invest in a quality mattress. You want your guests to be well-rested when staying in your home, don’t you?
While you’ll want to choose a mattress that is comfortable to lie down on, it’s also important to choose one that is spacious enough for your guests to spread out while they slumber. The best way to determine if a mattress is comfortable enough to use in your guest room is to try it out for yourself. Spending a night in your guest room will let you know right away what your visitors will experience. If you’re not comfortable, they probably won’t be either.
If you know it’s time to upgrade the mattress in your guest room, here are some tips to help you choose the right one:
- Measure the space where you intend to put the mattress. Make sure that there’s plenty of walking space around it and that it won’t overcrowd other furnishings in the room.
- Pick the right size. If your guest room is small, a full-size mattress may be the best option. However, a queen is always best if you have the available space.
- Visit a furniture store like Star and enlist the support of an expert sleep professional. They can help you choose a great mattress solution for visiting guests.
There are a lot of important factors to consider when shopping for a new mattress for your guest bedroom. To help the process go as smoothly as possible, the design team at Star Furniture is here to help! Bring your guest room measurements into our showroom and let us show you how simple mattress shopping can be.
6. Remember to Dress the Bed for Success
The way your guest bed looks will set the tone for the overall ambiance of your spare bedroom. While it can be tempting to throw random blankets and pillows on your guest bed out of convenience, doing so could take away from the beauty and comfort of the space. With this in mind, it’s worth taking the time to thoughtfully style your guest bed. Here are some tips to remember to ensure that your guest bed is as lovely as it is comfy:
- Use a protective mattress cover to keep your mattress fresh and clean.
- Invest in quality sheets. You can’t go wrong with ones made from a natural fiber, such as cotton percale, for the ideal combination of softness, breathability, and warmth.
- Layer your blankets. Along with quality sheets, add on a soft duvet and plush comforter for maximum coziness.
- Pull the look together with accent pillows and a throw blanket that will effortlessly elevate the bed’s visual appeal and comfort level.
7. Provide a Place to Sit
Sure, your guest bedroom is primarily for sleeping, but that’s not the only thing they’ll be used for. Chances are your family and friends would also appreciate a place to sit down to rest, read, or watch television in their temporary space, especially if their visit is a long one. For this reason, it’s a good idea to incorporate some form of seating arrangement if you have space in your guest bedroom. Check out these ideas to help you do just that:
- Pair an oversized armchair in the corner of the room with a floor lamp to create a cozy reading corner.
- Place an upholstered ottoman at the foot of the bed as a convenient spot for guests to sit down and take off their shoes.
- If your guest room is particularly spacious, create a comfy seating area with a loveseat or small sofa and television.
- Provide your guests with a small writing desk in case they need to catch up on the 9-5 back home.
8. Go the Extra Mile with These Thoughtful Details
Everyone wants their guests to feel special and appreciated when they visit their home. Luckily, it doesn’t take much effort or money to let your loved ones know that you’re happy to host them. Oftentimes, it’s the little touches that you include in your guest bedroom that will make the biggest impression on the folks who are lucky enough to stay there. Keep these ideas in mind to add thoughtful details to your guest room:
- Display your Wi-fi password in a visible location, such as in a frame on the bedside table.
- Lay out extra towels and blankets (just in case).
- Provide a few snacks and bottled water.
- Place fresh flowers in a vase on the dresser.
- Include a white noise machine to create calming background noise to help them sleep their best.
Design a More Comfortable Guest Bedroom with Star Furniture
Your overnight guests deserve to have a beautiful, comfortable space to spend time when staying in your home. Fortunately, giving your spare bedroom a complete overhaul doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think. If your guest bedroom has become a hodgepodge of hand-me-down furniture, a storage space for items you rarely use, or a decorating afterthought that pales in comparison to the other rooms in your home, it’s time to make some changes. The trusted design team at Star Furniture is eager to help you design the attractive, cozy, practical bedroom that is sure to help your overnight guests feel right at home.
From mattresses and bedroom furniture to light fixtures and accessories, we have everything you need to create a spare bedroom that you’ll be proud to welcome your loved ones into. Check out our Star Furniture social media sites to find your home decor inspiration before stopping in our convenient showroom location to get started on your ultimate guest room decorating journey. We’re proud to be a trusted Texas furniture store that provides a variety of quality furnishings to meet every home decor style and price point.
If you liked this blog, read this one about how to pick an accent chair for a room.