You spend every single night in your home. You know how much you love it, you know how much you spent on your furnishings and linens, what you’re saving for and what your favorite purchases have been. You know if you just redid your master bath last season, or that you plan to give the kitchen a facelift in the next twelve months. Meanwhile, your guests see your home at face value. Odds are, most of your guests’ visits will be pretty short-term. So, if your home is something you’re really proud of, and you want to share that passion with the people close to you, the best way to do so is to make your guest bedroom one of the crowning jewels of your entire place.
Anticipate Travel Needs
Guests of your home shouldn’t need to ask you for anything. In a perfect world, your guests can walk in the door, give you a hug, and settle into their room without a snag. Write a note for their bedside table with your Wi-Fi details, any phone numbers they might need, and maybe even some local attractions, gyms, or restaurants you think they might enjoy. If your guest room has a TV, make a note of some of the popular channel numbers so they don’t have to hunt for them on their own. Leave a few bottles of water on the vanity. Make sure any magazines in the bathroom are reasonably current. Put a fresh bar of soap by the sink. Let them know how to do laundry, if needed. Bonus points: set up a station on a dresser or vanity for coffee and tea. Life is all about the little things, and so is boarding guests.
Simplify the Decor
Think about hotel room decor. Light colors, solid patterns, nothing too attention-grabbing or visually invasive. A style of this sort creates a tranquil, welcoming environment that the guest can settle into with comfort and ease. You want the room to be able to accommodate any personality and any style. Stick to light, cool colors like whites, greys, and blues. Try to keep patterns to a minimum outside of a throw pillow or a statement armchair. There is no centerpiece or focal point to your guest room; the focus is each guest’s individual comfort and joy.
Splurge for Linen Heaven
Although it seems obvious and basic, you need to think about your guests’ linens. The guest bedroom will likely give the biggest impression to your guests about your home as a whole. If your guests’ bedding and linens are luxurious and beautiful, your whole house must also be luxurious and beautiful by association.
To maintain a calm and welcoming aesthetic, we recommend cool blue bedding to soothe the soul (and please the eyes). If your guests are on vacation, they’ll probably be sleeping alot. Make sure they’re getting the best sleep possible by maxing out the quality of their linens and bedding.
Allow Closet Space
I don’t know a single person who has an empty closet in their guest room. It’s the perfect out-of-sight convenient place for those random-yet-essential items, like vacuums, sewing machines, winter clothes, and yoga mats. But, when guests come to visit, you have to make sure there’s still some room left for them (if you can clean out the entire closet, that’s even better, and your guests will no doubt appreciate it). Practically, as long as they have a few empty drawers and enough space to hang coats, dresses, and suits, you’re set.
Sprinkle in a Pop of Luxury
It never hurts to amplify the comfort factor, especially when it comes to guests in your home. Since the rest of the room’s decor will be simple and chic, you have room for one pop of plush expression. Find a comfy armchair that matches your overall style, even if the pattern is louder than the rest of the decor. Having a place to rest their feet in privacy allows your guests to recharge and recuperate after a day of unfamiliar travel, or to wake up slowly and quietly with a cup of coffee, in the comfort of their own bedroom.
Whether you’re a frequent entertainer, have friends passing through, or you have drop-in in-laws, everyone needs a warm and welcoming guest bedroom. Your home is something you take pride in, and when friends and family come to visit, they should be able to clearly see that care and effort.
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