3 min readOne of the best parts of having a place of your own is welcoming the people you care about for an overnight stay. While there's always a list of home projects competing for your attention, creating a comfortable, inviting guest space is well worth the effort. A thoughtfully designed room gives visitors a place to recharge and helps them feel genuinely at home.
When designing a guest bedroom, think of it as a natural extension of your home's overall style. The final setup will depend on factors like the size of your home, the number of available rooms, and your decorating budget. Brittny Button, founder and principal designer of Button Atelier, says her goal is to create a welcoming retreat that anticipates guests' needs while still preserving privacy for the rest of the household.
"Adding thoughtful touches, like extra hangers, a steamer, and lavender room spritz, shows I care," she says. "I handwrite a personal note to welcome them to our house and buy some flowers in their favorite color to place throughout the room. It’s just a subtle and sweet way to say we love that you’re here. I also print out the WiFi name and password on a card, so they don’t have to ask what it is.”
Rebekah Murphy, cofounder and architect of design at Murphy & Moore Design, suggests prioritizing a quality mattress paired with crisp, hotel-inspired bedding. “Try to include ambient lighting on both sides of the bed, a water carafe, and a catchall tray on the nightstand," she adds. "A bench or luggage rack, a mirror, and empty storage space are also great ideas.”
There are plenty of ways to create a welcoming guest bedroom, but avoiding common decorating mistakes is just as important. Ahead, interior designers reveal the five things they would never include when designing a space for overnight visitors.
Overdoing the Family Photos
While some guests may enjoy seeing family photos, it may not be the most welcoming decor idea in a guest room.
“It’s not the right setting for them,” Button says. “I try to select aspirational paintings or ones that are abstract in subject matter, where there’s some movement to them.”
Skimping on Mattress Quality
When you’re hosting a guest, you want them to be comfortable and sleep well, and a poor-quality mattress can negatively impact your guests' stay.
“We never compromise on mattress quality, because no matter how beautiful the room looks, guests need to sleep comfortably,” Murphy says.
Additionally, Button emphasizes the importance of considering the size of the bed and mattress. “Make sure that the bed size isn’t too small. A twin can feel cramped,” she explains. “I always opt for at least a queen-size bed, upping it to a king if the space allows.”
Decorating With Fragile Objects
If you’re someone who has invested in luxe decor or has heirlooms that have been in your family for decades, you may want to reconsider placing them in your guest room.
“Accidents happen, and banking that nothing will get broken or damaged isn’t realistic,” Button says. “I style the room with items that can be easily cleaned and are of no consequence if they become wrecked.”
Leaving Windows Bare
“Windows should never be left bare,” Murphy says. Curtains and shades provide a sense of comfort and privacy in any room, making them an important touch throughout your home, especially in your guest room.
Not Clearing the Clutter
While your guest room may double as a functional space for your personal items, it’s important to remove them or store them in a stylish way before your guest arrives to help them feel as comfortable as possible. This also allows them to have clear space to unpack and feel at home, Murphy says.
Button adds that, while it may not be the most frequently used room, it still needs to have its own cohesive look to it.
“At times, [guest rooms] become a space to throw odds and ends or miscellaneous furniture items, rather than have an identity of their own.” She continues, “Pro tip: Copy a color palette as seen at a five-star hotel. For instance, tonal creams layer beautifully together and look very high-end. It’s the textures that shine through.”
