I Asked Designers for Their Secrets to an Expensive-Looking Guest Bedroom. They All Said the Same Thing

3 min read

Pictured above: a bold aubergine double guest bedroom designed by Nicole Fisher.

The holiday hosting season is upon us, and while you’re planning your tablescape decor and seasonal trimmings, you might want to take a hard look at your guest bedroom.

“Most guest rooms get treated like overflow storage, and guests feel that the second they walk in,” says Marie Cloud, principal designer at Indigo Pruitt.

Even if you host only occasionally, your guest room should give visitors a comfortable place to unwind. No need for a guest book or fuzzy slippers: Designers say these four thoughtful touches can make the room feel luxe without costing a fortune.

Layer the Lighting

Designer Chad Graci uses tabletop lamps as well as an overhead fixture to bring light to the attic guest room come nightfall.

Regardless of the design aesthetic, the ambiance of a room always hinges on lighting.

“I always pay attention to the lighting,” says Louis Lin, founder of his eponymous New York City–based interior design studio. “A beautiful bedside lamp with a warm, flattering glow can transform the atmosphere of a room. Layering different light sources, rather than relying on overhead lighting, can do that. It's a relatively simple gesture that makes a room feel much more intimate and refined.”

This also gives guests the freedom to tailor the air of their space to their liking. It’s one of the few details they can truly control in their temporary lodging.

Ditch the Throw Pillows

Designer Nicole Fisher opted for wall-to-wall carpeting in this moody guest bedroom for an extra cozy feel.

While a pile of pillows might look inviting, designer Marie Cloud says the bedtime legwork promptly cancels out the aesthetics.

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“Skip the stack of eight decorative pillows your guest has to relocate before bed,” says Cloud. Her perfect formula for a top-notch guest setup? Two sleeping pillows, plus one lumbar pillow, all set atop a good set of sheets.

“Sheets with real hand-feel, like a crisp percale or washed linen,” Cloud suggests. “Finish with a throw folded at the foot in a color pulled from the room. It looks considered, and it’s actually comfortable at 2 a.m.”

Commit to the Color Scheme

This bold bedroom, designed by the team at Indigo Pruitt, is drenched in a deep, moody red.

Most guest rooms get the all-white wall treatment in the name of neutrality, but all it really says is that your space lacks intention. Just because this room is (mostly) reserved for guests doesn't mean it has to lack character. In fact, Cloud says you should not hold back.

“Drench the room,” says the designer. “Walls, trim, and ceiling in the same color, ideally something deep and warm. Continuous color reads custom, it makes a small room feel wrapped rather than cramped, and it tells your guest the space was designed for them. A guest room is also the lowest-risk room in the house to be bold, so take the swing.”

Invest in Small Luxuries

Designed by the team at Isy’s Interiors, this New York City guest bedroom uses patterns to bring charm and character.

The best guest setups make visitors feel anticipated, even when they show up unexpectedly. To achieve the boutique-hotel feel, designers recommend investing in small luxuries that leave a big impact. A few items Cloud and Lin always recommend having on hand are a small luggage rack, real hangers, fresh towels, and a select set of toiletries reserved especially for guests.

“The real luxury is making guests feel that the room has been prepared just for them,” says Lin.

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