Houseguests are like fish: They start to stink after three days. Or so said Benjamin Franklin at least. To make sure everyone is comfortable during their stay—guests hosts—give visitors the very best. That means fresh flowers, blackout curtains, fluffed pillows, and a few more of the items below. Read on for 25 guest bedroom ideas, essentials, and style inspirations to curate a space that’ll look beautiful and feel great.
Hang a full length mirror so your guests have somewhere to evaluate their outfits before you to introduce them to everyone (just kidding). But really, houseguests will definitely appreciate having easy access to a full-length mirror since when living out of a suitcase. A mirror will also make a small guest bedroom feel larger. In this room at the Kinsley Hotel designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the extra hooks are also great for coats, robes, and towels.
When you don’t have an actual guest bedroom, maximize another room in the house by building out a nook. Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Koenig and architect Gil Schafer has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” says Schafer.
If all the rooms in your home are occupied or you just need to set up an extra guest bedroom, use your attic space. If the ceilings are low or sloped, keep everything low to the ground and hang a pendant light to polish things off.
Not all room dividers are folding screens. You can get crafty! Interior designer Leanne Ford hung a curtain in this attic office nook to make it serve double duty as a guest room.
If you’re a household that still has landlines installed, make sure there’s one in the guest bedroom, too. It could come in handy if your guest’s cell phone needs recharging, and if you don’t get good cell service, this is even more essential.
Add a mini bar to give your guests extra privacy and a hotel vibe, especially if your guest bedroom is actually inn it’s own private structure away from the main house. Just don’t forget to keep it empty once they depart. For style inspiration, it doesn’t get better than this summery set up by Robert McKinley Studio.
Just because you don’t lay your head to rest there every night doesn’t mean the guest bedroom shouldn’t be up to par design-wise. Opt for a statement headboard, wall art, and built-in lighting for a unique and stylish aesthetic.
A window seat is a great addition to a guest bedroom. It’ll give them somewhere to cozy up in that isn’t the communal living room. A dresser is also a nice touch, in case they’d like to unpack any of their belongings.
When space is limited and you don’t want to shop for new, bulky furniture, use a chair as a side table and install wall sconces to save surface space. A cheerful color, like this pale turquoise hue, is also a good idea to set a happy mood.
Make your guest room feel like a hotel by putting the things they’ll need throughout their stay right there in the room. Some examples include a robe, slippers, and towels. If you want to go the extra mile, leave a carafe of water on the side table.
If your home doesn’t have enough space for a guest room but you host a lot, make one of the other rooms in the house (like the family room or home office) serve double duty. Just put a daybed in a corner—make it super cozy and comfortable with tons of pillows and throws.
Keep things streamlined, with clutter at a minimum, and bring in darker colors for a sense of intimacy and coziness. Bedside sconces are a guaranteed way to make your bedroom look and feel as fresh as a five-star hotel room.
As simple as this room is, it feels crisp, clean, and perfectly inviting. All it takes is layers of fresh linens, a small side table, and a reading lamp. Just make sure you fluff the pillows and straighten up the bedding before guests arrive.
Place a bench at the end of the bed to give the room a refined feel. And if you bring your guests breakfast in bed, you automatically earn a reputation as the best host ever. Giving them somewhere to sit other than the bed also diminishes the likelihood of spillage on the bedding.
A gallery wall will give the space character and make it feel more like a home without taking up valuable surface space. An alarm clock and radio are also nice touches.
Fresh flowers in the guest bedroom are a small but mighty detail. They communicate that you’re so excited to have them there!
If possible, put the guest bedroom in a space where lots of natural light floods in. Just be sure you leave a sleep mask on the bedside table, especially if you didn’t install blackout shades.
Deck the guest bedroom out with all the classic pieces, like high-end, traditional monogramed bedding, an orate mirror, full drapes, and a canopy bed. Then add an unexpected, fun throw pillow like this one, which says And a television will be appreciated when guests want to unwind alone, or if they can’t fall asleep.
It’s always a good idea to bring in plenty of greenery for a balanced, lively environment. In this bedroom designed by Leanne, she opted for a Bird of Paradise tree and a snake plant.
We love how streamlined and sleek this bedroom is. The lack of clutter and built-in furniture make it feel like a hotel room. Fold an extra blanket on the end of the bed for your guests in case it gets chilly.
If space allows, model a hotel room by giving your guests a little en suite work space. A side chair, desk or console, and table lamp are all it takes.
Family photos give the guest bedroom a nice personal touch, but the real hero item in this bedroom is that fully loaded bookshelf. Take note and fill the side table with books in case your guests can’t sleep and want something to do.
Go with a theme that speaks to your home’s location. This one is super fun for a children’s guest bedroom somewhere coastal: These bunk beds save space while also reflecting the nautical ship theme.
Give guests a little seating area so they have somewhere private to unwind that isn’t just the bed. A simple reading nook will do, but if there’s enough room, add a loveseat and a small coffee table.
You can’t go wrong with twin beds featuring classic white bedding and headboards that match the wallpaper. Embroidered coverlets give them a formal, traditional look, while gingham skirts are a delightfully playful finish.
