Style Guide: The Guest Bedroom

If you've ever travelled a long distance to stay with friends or relatives, you'll know how enjoyable it is when they really go out of their way to make you feel at home after your tiring journey. And, a big part of helping your loved ones settle in is providing them with their own space where they can unwind and get some much-needed rest.

Whether you've already got a guest room or you're thinking about turning that spare space into one, there are quite a few things you can do to make sure that it’s a warm and welcoming place where your visitors can relax.

To help you out, we are going to look at five essential tips for creating the perfect guest room in your home.

Choose a relaxing colour scheme

One of the big decisions you will need to make for your guest room is what colour and design you want to make the décor.

While you may be tempted to pick your favourite shade of orange or go for something that matches the rest of your home, it's worth taking into account the purpose of your room: giving your house guests somewhere to relax.

The appearance of your guest room can have a big impact on how its occupant feels.

According to this article from Better Homes & Gardens, colour psychology is capable of affecting people's moods, so you'll want to avoid busy, energetic reds, oranges, and yellows.

Instead, opt for something more soothing: blue and green are considered the most calming and restful colours, and lighter shades of purple, like lavender and lilac, also carry these qualities.

Bring the outdoors in

Carrying on the theme of relaxation, another great way of creating a soothing space is to add a little bit of natural beauty through plants and flowers. At face value, a bouquet of fresh flowers is a great way to welcome a guest and make them feel like you care.

Plus, one 2008 study found that people who had flowers in their room felt less anxious and calmer, so you'll also be contributing to the restfulness of your guest room.

You can also strategically pick certain plants and flowers that have relaxing or sleep-boosting traits.

Species like lavender, chamomile, and jasmine have been used in aromatherapy for centuries, and you can take advantage of their soothing qualities to help your house guests get a good night's rest after their travels.

There are also plants, such as peace lilies, Aloe vera, and snake plants, that are great at purifying the air in your home — another factor that can improve health and wellbeing.

Treat them to a heavenly night's sleep

You'll want your guest room to be as comfortable as possible so that your guests can get a great night's sleep. The best way of achieving this is by investing in a premium mattress and bedding.

Picking up a memory foam mattress is a great idea, as they offer a high level of comfort and support, as well as being incredibly adaptive no matter whether you're a side, front, or back sleeper — ideal for your house guests.

Also, if you have a sofa bed, a memory foam topper can be added for extra cushioning and support.

Pair your mattress with some luxury bedding to really turn your room into a sleep sanctuary. Choosing an extra soft pillow and duvet will keep your guests cosy and allow them to enjoy a really great night's sleep — just remember to switch your duvet over to a lightweight version in the spring and summer to ensure they won't be too warm.

Consider adding a mattress protector to both keep your mattress in good condition and cater to any guests with allergies.

Add a few small essentials

As your room is coming together, it's worth thinking about the small essentials you need. It can be easy to overlook these, especially when you're thinking about the look of the whole room, but the little things can prove helpful.

For instance, adding an alarm clock and a lamp to the bedside table isn't a revolutionary idea, but they will help your guests wake up in time for breakfast or get some bedtime reading done — both small practicalities, but ones that show you care.

Include a mirror for your guest to apply make-up or check their appearance without needing to leave the room. You could also provide a small selection of toiletries as your guests will want to freshen up and may have forgotten to bring something along with them.

Provide storage space for their luggage

When your house guests are staying over, they will likely have brought some luggage along with them. To make them feel at home, provide some storage space for them to unpack their belongings into.

There are obvious solutions to this, such as providing a few empty drawers and some wardrobe space but, if you don't have a lot of space to work with, simply adding a hook or two to the back of a door can provide space for clothes to hang wrinkle-free.

If you're also in the market for a new bed, you could even invest in a ottoman bed with easy-to-left access to an extra-spacious storage solution for your guest.

Follow the advice here and you will be able to create the perfect guest room for when your loved ones come to stay. Not only will a nicely turned-out space make them feel welcome, but it will also give them a pleasant place to rest up after their journey.

If you want a more temporary sleeping space for your guests, especially around the holidays, read our article about Guest Bed Ideas for Christmas.

Got any questions about creating the perfect sleep sanctuary for your guests? Don't hesitate to get in get in touch. Be sure to visit this blog and our guide pages for more great tips.