The guest bedroom can often be a secondary thought when decorating as we do not necessarily use it ourselves. However, it is crucial that we pay as much attention to this room as we would our own bedroom, creating a space in our homes that family and friends can come and feel hassle-free, content, and welcome within. It is possible to experiment a little more with the décor, yet there a few key points when styling that must be considered.
Here I list 10 ways to style a guest bedroom:
1. LUSH BEDDING
When having guests stay over the main thing we wish for is that they have a restful night’s sleep in our home. It can be easy to budget and therefore neglect the quality of bedding in the bedroom we do not utilise ourselves, however, do not do this! Fine fabrics and good value linens will ensure your guest unwinds and has a happy night.
2. CALMING COLOUR PALETTE
Although you may want to make a design statement with your guest bedroom décor, remember the purpose of the space and choose a colour palette that will promote relaxation and tranquillity. Shy away from bold primary colours or overzealous imagery and instead incorporate simplistic hues and natural inspired tones with carefully considered pattern selections.
A spare room should act as a treat for guests. This can be achieved with a soft colour like Setting Plaster that feels like a warm embrace – Joa Studholme Farrow & Ball
3. A COSY SEAT
Remember to think about the comforts you enjoy when staying at another’s home. Do you like to sit on a chair and rest, put on your makeup or work from? Make sure to include this in your own furniture choices. A small tub or boucle chair in the corner of a room will not take up much space, is very practical and can improve your stylistic decor with an added layer of cosiness.
4. PROMOTE A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
At the Inhabit Hotel in London, designer Caitlin Henderson utilised grey and blue colour tones as these have been proven to promote relaxation and reduce stress, ensuring a better night’s sleep. Another suggestion would be fabrics such as linen or a natural fibre mattress which helps regulate body temperature during the night. Even adding small touches to the room like an essential oil diffuser or a sleep promoting pillow mist can help your guest sleep well.
5. IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING
A guest bedroom must contain 3 levels of lighting: mood, task and accent. Mood lighting can comprise of a dimmer switch to control the ambience in a space, task would involve a useful reading light for the bedside and accent lighting is where you get to show off your personality choosing a light for its visual aesthetic and design elements. The director of Original BTC, Charlie Bowles claims that these 3 lighting levels will ‘create a layered scheme that will work at any time of day and across the seasons.’
6. COSY UNDERFOOT
A huge part of whether we feel ease in a space is the flooring and an effortless tip in forming a snug guest bedroom is to consider the tactility and warmth of what is underfoot. If there is no carpet, make sure to add a sumptuous rug around the bed, even layering a couple rugs around the room for extra cosiness.
7. MAKE SURE TO ADD ALLURING SCENTS
Do not forget some of the smaller décor details such as a lovely smelling candle or diffuser and a vase of freshly cut flowers as these will boost the welcoming factor of your guest bedroom. You could even add a decorative bowl of some gorgeous potpourri for an alluring scent that will last months.
8. AN ABUNDACE OF TEXTURES
Whether it is a fabric wallpaper or a luxurious headboard, embracing various textures in a guest bedroom will feel comfy and opulent. Irene Gunter from Gunter & Co highlights the significance of texture by stating ‘To make it inviting think about texture. Fabric wallcoverings don’t have to cost a fortune and will transform the space, making it look sophisticated while feeling cosy and warm’.
9. BLACKOUT CURTAINS
A common feature that comes up again and again when decorating a guest bedroom is the worth of a good night’s sleep, and the ultimate advice to guarantee this is to include blackout curtains when selecting your window treatments. By blocking out any natural light you are forming a safe cocoon for someone to rest, relax and have that all important morning lie in.
There are so many lovely lightweight textured weave curtains that look soft and delicate on the front but have a blackout lining on the back which helps control the light – Jenna Choate Interior Fox
10. TEST IT OUT YOURSELF
A great tip once you have completed decorating your guest bedroom is to sleep in it yourself. This way you can identify any areas that require improving or need extra comfort. You want your guest bedroom to be a home away from home for your visitors, so make sure you in bring in little details such as your favourite book, a plant or two and a fresh bottle of water by the bedside.
Last year we finally got to renovating our guest bedroom and transformed it from a dark, dumping ground for all the random ‘stuff’ we accumulate to a light, refreshing space that fits in with the décor of our modern country home.
Jalan Interior 