With Holidays and a new year approaching, it might be the perfect time to refresh your guest bedroom. If you’re not planning a full makeover, think about a few welcoming touches that you may have overlooked in the past, especially if you’re expecting first-time guests. Does the space have a proper bedside table and lamp? Is there a convenient spot for guests to charge their phone? Can you add a comfortable chair for reading or relaxing?
Take cues from boutique hotels that master the balance of comfort and polish. Borrow ideas like layered lighting, blackout curtains, a luggage rack, slippers by the bed, clearly displayed Wi-Fi information, and accessible outlets for charging devices. A basket with toiletries -soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, is a simple but welcoming detail.
A Longer-Term Redesign
If you’re thinking about a more substantial refresh to create a truly inviting guest room, here are some deisgn tips to consider.
1. Complement your other rooms to keep design consistency throughout your home. A guest room shouldn’t feel like an afterthought, but rather an extension of your interior’s personality. Use similar colour palettes, textures or accent pieces found elsewhere in your living areas. This doesn’t mean every room must match , but the flow should feel intentional.
For example, if your living room leans coastal with sandy neutrals and navy, bring a lighter variation, such as a desaturated blue, into the guest room. It creates a sense of harmony through colour while still giving the space its own identity.
2. Select the right colour scheme. Your chosen colour palette sets the emotional tone of the room. Soft neutrals and cool blues encourage calm, while muted greens add freshness. If your home interior has maximalist or eclectic energy, don’t be afraid to echo bold colours, just anchor them with grounding neutrals. Aim for a palette that makes guests feel relaxed rather than overwhelmed.
To get a good grasp on how colour will show up in the final design, paint swatches on all four walls and observe them at different times of day. Light changes everything. If you’re not sold on the colour in the room’s lighting, consider going slightly more or less bright to accommodate. Alternatively, experiment with different paint finishes, like matte, eggshell or semi-gloss.
3. Decorate seasonally, without overdoing it.A guest bedroom should adapt to the seasons, but lightly. Think linen sheets and airy drapery in summer, heavier throws and deeper hues in winter. Swap out accent pillows, artwork or a throw blanket rather than redesigning the entire room. Add decorative accents in the holiday seasons.
4. Be mindful of guests’ needs.Each guest arrives with different routines. Some rise early; others stay up late scrolling. Build flexibility into the space with adjustable lamps for night owls, an extra blanket for chilly sleepers, a mix of pillow types, a space to use a laptop, and other features to make the stay feel like home for different types of guests.
Arrange a mix of pillow types, including firm and soft, high and low. If you want to go the extra mile, a variety of feathered European pillows are extra cozy – and they’re a great way to dress up the bed when combined with standard and decorative pillows.
5. Create an Accent Wall An accent wall is an easy way to elevate the space. Consider options like:
- Colours that contrast your chosen palette to add dimension and interest.
- Geometric shapes, stripes or a large wall mural for uniqueness.
- Textured paint to create movement.
- Material texture, such as wood panelling, to evoke a warm feel.
- Oversized artwork to anchor the room.
The key is balance – let the accent wall shine while keeping the other elements calm.
6. Layer Textures. Texture gives a sophisticated finish to the room, bringing visual depth and tactile richness. Layer crisp cotton sheets with a chunky knit throw, velvet cushions with linen drapes or a plush rug with a sleek wooden side table. Or, layer textures thematically. For instance, to lean into a natural feel, layer materials like wood, stone, rattan, wicker and bamboo.
For a more eclectic feel, contrast your textures by pairing glossy with matte, fluffy with spiky or smooth with rough. Create cohesion in the room by sticking to two or three textiles and repeating them throughout rugs, bedding and ornamentation. If you’re unsure, stick to a neutral palette and let the materials do the work.
7. Create a Makeshift Office Space. Many guests travel with laptops and may need a spot to work. Add a compact, adjustable desk and comfortable chair to transform the room’s versatility – this can even double as a second home office space when the room is vacant.
Even a fold-down wall desk or a small console table works. Place a notepad, pen and a desk lamp nearby to make it functional without overwhelming the room’s primary purpose.
8. Top it off with some luxe. Luxury doesn’t always mean expensive. A scented candle, high-thread-count sheets or a handcrafted water carafe on the nightstand all feel indulgent. Mirrored, metallic or crystal accents carry a sophisticated feel, and a tassel holdback for the draperies also leans toward luxurious.
Small touches like fresh flowers, a personalized handwritten note or a curated stack of books show thoughtfulness. Your efforts signal that visitors are valued, not just accommodated.
Giving your guests a space that feels calm, comfortable, and considered turns their stay into a true retreat. If restyling your spare bedroom feels overwhelming, schedule a quick 15-minute call and we’d be happy to help guide the process.
