Create a welcoming guest bedroom

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Gracious hosting is all about making your guests feel comfortable. It’s also about making your home, their home, even if only for a short period of time. This is when some of those often-overlooked rooms come into focus – namely, the guest bedroom and bath. Follow these design tips to style these spaces as a cosy retreat your visitors will never want to leave!

Decorate with neutrals

If your goal is to make them comfortable, using a neutral colour palette of creams, whites and gentle greys will go a long way. Generally speaking, this family of hues is broadly appealing, which makes it a great choice for a guest bedroom, where one guest’s esthetic preferences and comfort level may differ dramatically from another’s.

Another reason neutral colours work well in a guest bedroom – or in any bedroom – is the atmosphere and ambience they lend to the space. Cool, calm and collected is the ultimate in guest room goals.

Finally, as we see colour trends fade in and out of style every year, a neutral colour scheme has remained consistent. Going this route means you won’t have to redecorate any time soon.

Make it indulgent

Treat your guests to a little luxury for the duration of their stay. When it comes to extravagances, the best place to take your cues is from the hotel industry. Think back to your favourite vacation accommodation, and remember what made your stay so memorable. Then, incorporate some of these elements into your bedrooms at home. Fresh soft bedding, piles of pillows and extra blankets are sleep essentials, especially during the winter months. In the guest bath, ensure there are plenty of plush towels and toiletries at your guests’ disposal.

From a decor perspective, you can incorporate little luxuries into the room in the form of a textured feature wall, elegant window coverings, modern lighting, and furnishings that are both practical and stylish.

Enhance function and interest

Some thoughtful accessories and pieces of furniture, beyond the bed and night tables, can really give your guests added independence and flexibility in their room. Assume that visitors will be using the room to relax and do their own thing at times, so aim for comfort and function. Incorporate a small sitting area tucked into the corner of a room to add visual interest, while providing a place for people to sit, take a phone call, or just relax

With that said, don’t overburden the room, or your guests, with too much “stuff.” Keep the space clean and clutter-free to maintain its sense of rest and relaxation.

All the right pieces

Creating a “home away from home” is easy when you have the right inspiration. But while your goal is to indulge your guests, remember that the room is in your home, so it should align with your own esthetic preferences and practical needs. With the right pieces in place, you just might find yourself spending a lot more time in the guest room.

Diana Rose
Diana Rose
Diana Rose is the principal and creative director for Diana Rose Design. Nationally published, she is known for creating tailored interiors that enhance and complement your lifestyle. Servicing Toronto, the GTA, and Muskoka dianarose.design @dianarosedesign
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