The best hotels pamper their guests and make them want to return. Some homeowners have a similar knack of creating cocoon-like havens where friends and family nestle into a bedroom set aside for them rather than take over a kid’s room or the family den. Here are 10 things that make a guest room feel special. Follow our suggestions and your house guests may not want to leave.
Set the tone with the bed
Guest rooms tend to be a smaller size, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a bed with a lot of personality or even two twin beds, which can offer greater flexibility.
Transport them with color
Sue Wadden, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams, says, “Dark colors can create a feeling of coziness; create contrast by keeping trim and other accents bright white.” Or, “A blue hue will make guests feel at home. Pair it with natural wood elements to add a touch of warmth,” she recommends.
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Get a workhorse nightstand
Use a slightly bigger writing table or desk, says Chicago-based designer Tom Stringer. It’ll be big enough to accommodate lots of niceties such as a charging station, a good reading light, a few books and a dish of chocolates for nighttime cravings.
The mantra is the more the better for maximum coziness and warmth. Start with one soft, squishy, warm down comforter, then lighter blankets to give your guests options, as well as to layer colors.
Offering an extra place to sit or rest a suitcase is a thoughtful idea for your guest room. Look for a piece that fits well at the end of the bed.
Guests shouldn’t have to stumble through the house at night in the dark looking to get a glass of water. Fill a carafe with water and keep a glass or two in the room when the guests arrive.
Add a small vase of fresh flowers to the room to give it a cheery, personal touch. Keep it small, simple and understated for big impact.
Keep a white terry cloth robe in your guest room that’s as plush as those that five-star hotels provide. Most of your houseguests don’t have room in their suitcases to pack one for a short stay. You can also provide a few pairs of decorative slippers in different sizes to let them pad about without shoes.
Start with a cushy mattress topper, then add high-quality, seasonally appropriate sheets. Flannel is good for cooler weather, while sheets made of bamboo can help regulate sleeping temperature in warm weather.
Who doesn’t want to look at themselves for a quick check before they head out? Don’t go small and timid but big and large, so large, in fact, that the mirror becomes a piece of art and a focal point in the room.
