As the holiday season approaches, many families are gearing up and prepping their homes to receive guests. It is the season when we get to come together with family living abroad, friends living away, and everyone else. And while your living room and dining space are definitely two key spaces that you will want to add some pizzazz in, make sure you don’t forget a very important room- the guest room. Doing up your guest room may be a little harder than the other rooms in your home as you have to keep in mind that this room is not as much for your personal use as it is for the comfort and relaxation of your guests who have varying aesthetic tastes and comfort preferences. That’s why, when decorating your guest room or giving it a much-needed update, make sure you focus on creating a space that is welcoming and not overwhelming, soothing instead of shocking. It should inspire calm and create a stress-free environment for the guests. When you look for elements to add in your guest room decor, think about what you’d want to have in a top-notch resort or hotel. And even if you don’t have the budget to recreate a 5-star hotel room for them, there’s no reason why you can’t come close enough, even on a budget.
Following are a few tips you can keep in mind when decorating your guest room that will help you create an oasis of comfort and relaxation for every guest. Don’t be surprised if they don’t want to leave.
1. A comfortable bed
You may think that you can recycle the oldest bed in your house and put it in the guest room, but a comfortable bed can make or break your guest room, and how your guests feel staying there. After all, nothing is more relaxing than having an inviting bed with a good mattress, soft linens and a bunch of fluffy and comfy cushions. You can opt for an air mattress for maximum comfort and add both soft and firm options when it comes to the pillows. The color of your linens should complement the color scheme in your room. Don’t forget to keep an extra blanket in the wardrobe for when there’s a nip in the air.
2. Don’t forget the necessities
People tend to forget paying attention to the small details that make a guest room a home for your guests. For example:
- A large, full-length mirror for when there are dress-up occasions during the holidays. If your goal is to make your guests feel at home, hanging a mirror will bring you closer to that. If you don’t have a wall for a mirror, use the back of the door or the wardrobe door to add one.
- Make sure you keep ample space for your guests to store their stuff in. Empty a few drawers, clear the decks and the closet space for them to put away their clothes. Keeping storage space for your guests will make them feel right at home when they and they won’t have to live out of a suitcase or go through your stuff.
- Also remember to keep a flat surface, like that of a table or a bench, that is big enough to hold a suitcase. This way, your guests can get their luggage off the floor and have easy access to the stuff they didn’t put away.
- Keep a bedside table, and on it, a handy lamp that is good for reading and can be switched off without having to get up.
- Every good hotel room has small essentials that the guests need throughout their stay. Things like slippers, robes, towels, and some waters are basics to have in your guest room if you want your guests to have a fuss-free stay.
3. Add a rug
If there is one rule that applies both to your own room and the guest room, it is that rugs will always come handy when you want to add warmth and comfort to a space. Look for rugs online that have a long pile, like shag rugs, which have a super luxurious underfoot comfort. You can also browse carpets online if you wish to have wall-to-wall carpet on the guest room. But don’t worry, you can still layer a rug with your carpet. After all, there is no such thing as too much comfort, is there?
4. Add a reading nook
If your guest room happens to have an empty nook or a pretty window seat, why not use the space to turn it into a reading nook? It’ll give your guest the chance to cozy up with a cup of coffee and dive into their favorite book. This allows them privacy to do things they like, even when they’re staying in your place.
5. A pleasant surprise
An amazing way to add a touch of surprise to your guest room is to have a refreshment station. Your guests shouldn’t have to run down to the kitchen every time they need a cup of tea or something to snack on. A refreshment station with some tea bags, a French press, an electric jug, some cups, cookies, etc. on the console table will make your guests feel special and pampered.
6. Leave Good Reading at Hand
Not everything needs to be a decor masterpiece. You can also keep some good reading material in the guest room for them to read something interesting when they are in their room. Five-minute mysteries, travel books if they are coming from out of town. Classic novels, magazines, or even the local paper will provide some quiet-time activities to your guests.
7. A work stations
Who doesn’t work remotely nowadays? In the era of WFH, having a workstation is incredibly important, and that extends to your guests as well. If your home is wired, provide them the wifipassword. Keep a simple table and chair with a good lamp and a charging plug nearby for when they might have to attend a meeting or send some emails. Nothing will make them feel more cared for than when they see that you kept their needs in mind.
8. A makeshift guest rooms
For those of you who don’t have a spare room to turn into a guest room, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have guests stay overnight. Make one of your existing rooms serve double duty by putting a daybed pullout bed in the corner and cozy it up with tons of pillows and comfortable throws.
9. Don’t forget the flower
Last, but never the least, there is nothing as refreshing and welcoming as fresh flowers to liven up a space. They are a mighty detail and convey that you are excited to have your guests stay in your abode.
We hope you feel ready to host guests this holiday season now that you have the above tips and tricks handy. More than anything, make sure you make your guests feel at home by paying attention to the small details and their likes and dislikes, and you can be sure that you will earn the name of being the best entertainer in your circle.