how to design a luxurious guest bedroom
When friends or family come to visit, we want them to have a beautiful comfortable room to stay in, but there are a few things working against us. First, we typically don’t devote a very high budget to a room we won’t ever be sleeping in. And second, oftentimes guest bedrooms are the dumping grounds for old furniture that we no longer want in our primary bedroom. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone! But these two things can lead to creating a random and outdated room that isn’t particularly inviting. Instead, here are the key areas to focus on that are within the budget and will help create a more luxurious, hotel-like experience for your guests.
The bed.
This is the focal point of a bedroom and the first thing your guests see when they walk in. Choose a bed frame that’s simple, but timeless. I prefer upholstered so guests can lean back against the wall while reading or relaxing. If it’s not in the budget to buy a new frame, consider buying only a new headboard or if you are feeling crafty, try a DIY leather or upholstered headboard like this one!
And of course, make sure you have good quality sheets. Trust me, it’s worth the investment! I always recommend my clients choose crisp white sheets to give the guests the feeling of being in a hotel or resort. Plus, they are easy to clean with a little bleach. My reccommendations:
Nightstands.
Have you ever stayed in a room or maybe at an AirBnB that didn’t have nightstands and you end up with a little collection of items on the floor next to you? Not ideal. Guests need somewhere next to the bed to put things like glasses, phone, water, etc., but nightstands can be expensive because anytime carpentry includes drawers, the price will increase. The good news is short term guests really don’t need drawers so if you want to save, try searching for nightstands without drawers and add a basket like this one:
Photo: The Citizenry
Or opt for a side table instead! Side tables come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so in order to narrow it down, make sure the height of the table is about the same height as the top of the mattress.
Photo: West Elm
Smell.
A well-decorated room captures all the senses and smell tends to be one we forget about. But having that hotel scent greet your guests can be an extra special touch that they will appreciate. This can be a candle, fresh flowers, or a diffuser. Try one of these:
Storage.
Some guests love to unpack, even if it’s just for one night. If you have a closet in your guest bedroom, make sure there is at least half empty space with some available hangers. If you have a dresser, clean out the top two drawers. And finally, add a bench or stool with a flat surface so your guests have something to put their suitcase on while unpacking. This can be placed at the end of the bed, under a window, or against a wall, but make sure it's a durable material that guests don’t have to worry about dirtying or tearing with a roller suitcase.
Photo: CB2
Mirror.
Since bathrooms almost never have full-length mirrors, I like to add one to the bedroom so that guests have one while getting ready. Especially if they’ve come to visit you for a girls’ night out or a wedding, they are going to need to see their full outfit - shoes and all!
Photo: Etsy
