Whether you’re hosting extended family for Christmas or friends during the summer, it’s important to put a certain amount of effort into making the space they will be inhabiting for the next few days a welcoming one. And that’s where these cosy and inviting guest bedroom ideas come in.
When it comes to bedroom ideas for your overnight guests, the key is to cater to all their needs from the get go and to make sure they have everything to hand from the get-go. There’s nothing worse than having to come back down to your hosts after saying good night to ask for an extra towel.
‘Creating a special guest bedroom is all about balance, offering comfort and warmth while making your visitors feel truly at home,’ says Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Design Studio. And that entails everything from the right bedroom colour scheme to thinking of the finest details.
Guest bedroom ideas
Even the smallest of rooms can be turned into a welcoming guest bedroom – even a space that usually doubles as a small home office.
‘While a guest room is a commonly overlooked space, there are many easy steps you can take to make this room more inviting and comfortable for your guests staying the night,’ says Ayan Abdi, product specialist at Zinus.
Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung, adds, ‘Guest bedrooms are among the most cluttered in the house. If your spare room also multitasks as an office space then it is one of the hardest-working rooms in the house, switching between functional and guest-ready at a moment’s notice. For this reason, it’s important to make the transition easy.’
1. Put in a sofa bed if space is an issue
If you’re looking for small guest bedroom ideas for a space that also doubles as an office or a craft room, then putting in your best sofa bed in place of a traditional bed is an expert-approved space-saving tip.
‘If you don’t have a dedicated guest bed, consider investing in a sofa bed with a high-quality mattress to ensure your guests wake up feeling rested,’ says Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman.
Ayan at Zinus adds that multifunctional pieces of furniture in general are perfect for a small guest room, ‘If space is limited, consider incorporating dual-purpose furniture to provide you with ultimate space maximisation. A sofa bed, in particular, can serve two functions; it can offer a comfortable chill-out space during the day and a sumptuous, extra bed for the night.’
The Bromley sofa bed from Darlings of Chelsea is Ideal Home's best-rated sofa bed, as well as the bestselling one. And for good reason - its comfort levels are unparalleled, even though it is quite the investment.
If you're after something a little bit more budget-friendly then the Kota sofa bed from Habitat won't disappoint. Boasting a double bed size and a cushiony, marshmallow look, this is our go-to.
The Heal's Oswald design was the most popular sofa bed of 2023 - and even this year, we're expecting it to rank pretty high. Especially owing to its generous king size, offering plenty of space to its users.
2. Cosy up the room with soft furnishings
Even a guest bedroom should give off cosy bedroom vibes to make your guests feel right at home. And one of the easiest ways to create that feel and ambiance is through soft furnishings and layered textures.
‘To make a guest bedroom feel special and inviting, soft furnishings play a key role in creating comfort and style,’ says Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV. ‘Include decorative cushions which will not only add to the look of the room but also cater to varying comfort preferences. And consider adding a soft, cosy rug by the bed for a touch of warmth underfoot.’
Adam at Button & Sprung agrees, ‘Consider accessories such as cushions and throws to dress the bed and create a beautiful impact for your guests as they walk in. They won’t be able to wait to get into bed and you may even get a slow ease-in to breakfast duties as they luxuriate in comfort well into the morning!’
3. Prepare enough towels
Make sure that your guests have enough towels – and make sure they are some of your best bath towels with a soft, fluffy finish to really nail the hotel-like luxurious feel and show your guests how much you care about them.
‘Finishing touches such as a stack of fluffy towels and robes will help to create a hotel-like experience. Thoughtful attention to details like these will ensure your guest bedroom is a welcoming haven that feels both personal and luxurious,’ Debbie at ILIV explains.
4. Put in a comfortable bed
A comfortable bed is a must, especially if your room is often used by guests. If you can't justify a new frame, invest in a new mattress. Choose a strong classic style that won't date and position centrally for easy access and maximum impact.
'If storage is pivotal, pick a divan over a classic bed frame,' Adam at Button & Sprung advises. 'This will allow you to maximise the storage space available without taking up any additional floor space; which is especially important for small bedrooms. Drawer storage seamlessly blends within the divan base to safely store away any bedroom essentials.'
5. Upgrade the bedding
'All guest beds should have four standard pillows, so that guests have the option of sleeping with either one or two,' recommends Jo James, founder and creative director of Bedfolk. 'If you want to go all out, you could even offer a soft/medium and a medium/firm on each side so guests are able to create their perfect comfort level.'
'Another absolute must bedroom design tip is a pair of square pillows,' continues Jo. 'This is both for practical purposes (reading, morning cup of tea) and to make the bed look extra comfortable and plump. A throw adds comfort, texture and a subtle splash of colour. It is also a great extra layer for colder nights and the perfect light layer (partnered with a flat sheet) in the warmer months.'
6. Get the lighting right
Layered lighting, ideally dimmable, is a must whether it's guest or master bedroom ideas you're looking for. Include a pendant or downlighters for overall light, a standard lamp to light a corner, and bedside lights for late-night reading.
'Lighting plays an essential role and soft, ambient lighting combined with task lamps will create a cosy and intimate atmosphere,' Claire Garner says.
Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky Lights, continues, ‘Wall-mounted bedside lamps provide an elegant tailored feel. As a rule of thumb, they are best positioned so the bottom of the bulb is 45cm above the mattress to avoid any glare.'
7. Work with even the smallest of spaces
Even if you only have the tiniest of box rooms to let your guest bedroom ideas loose on, you still have plenty of space for creativity. In small spaces, a slim, comfy cabin bed will probably take up much of the floor space, so work everything else around this. Mount reading lights and use wall units to act as somewhere to keep bedtime reading material, or to decorate with some prints.
Bedroom storage ideas aren't of the utmost importance in a room intended for short stays - hooks on the back of the door, or a small bench should suffice. Baskets on a high shelving unit is perfect for storage of items you don't need on the regular.
8. Include a dressing table
A small desk or dressing table is a lovely touch in a guest room. Even a super slimline option will be welcomed.
These spaces provide an area for guests to lay out jewellery, apply makeup, or catch up on work with their laptop. Ensure there is good bedroom lighting so every use is catered for, and there's a plug socket nearby for hair dryers or charging cables.
9. Cater for the kids
It's not just adults who need somewhere to stay. If you have the room, a dedicated child's spare room is a fun addition to a home. Alternatively, make sure your kids room ideas can accommodate cousins or friends when needed.
Keep the floor as empty as possible to allow the maximum space for play, and integrate storage and beds elsewhere. Bunk, trundle and sofa beds are perfect for these spaces, as are under-bed storage and built-in cubbies.
10. Colour drench for impact
One of the most exciting things about decorating guest bedroom ideas is the option to go all-out. Since visitors tend not to stay for extended periods of time, you can push the boundaries further than you might otherwise.
While bold colour-drenched bedroom paint ideas might get tiresome quickly in your everyday space, in a spare room it creates a fun boutique hotel atmosphere.
11. Create a calming oasis
If your home has a tendency to get get slightly chaotic and loud, then it's lovely to create a calm and serene space for guests to retreat to. Take inspiration from Scandi-chic by limiting your bedroom colour schemes to neutrals, decorating with natural woods and adding pops of colour through fresh greenery.
As a bonus, you can co-opt this space when not in use if you need to take a break yourself!
12. Work in easy storage
Your guest room may not have space for a wardrobe. Or, if it has one it's likely to hide away out of season clothes until they're needed again.
Guests won't be bringing much with them, so a bench at the end of the bed, with boxes or baskets underneath provides both somewhere to stash items, and a surface to lay outfits on.
13. Add interest with a feature wall
Add an illustrative feature wall to a guest bedroom with a statement wallpaper. For the most modern interpretation, use the wallpaper on a large panel rather than on a whole way.
This is perfect is you have a random length of wallpaper to hand, or if you want to try out a new design on a wall before committing to it elsewhere.
14. Keep luggage in mind
Visitors are sure to bring bags with them, so a thoughtful touch is to ensure they have a surface to place these on. Benches at the end of a bed, or a stylish luggage rack, allow your guests to open up their suitcases to unpack, or easily see what they have.
This way you prevent dirty bags from sitting directly on your linens, or creating chaos on limited floor space.
15. Layer up neutrals
It's tough to go wrong with neutral bedroom ideas, and this is remains true for guest rooms. They will suit just about any type of visitor, while providing a calming and light retreat. Introduce depth and texture with chunky throws, rustic woods and tactical rugs.
'For a guest bedroom, a neutral colour scheme is often the best choice as it creates a calming environment that will be appealing to most guests’ tastes,' says Kate Palmer, creative director at The Painted Furniture Company. 'Shades like soft greys, beiges, whites, or taupe work well as a base because they are versatile and can easily be accented with other colours to suit personal preferences or seasonal decor.'
16. Give yourself more options with a twin layout
Twin beds are a great option for guest bedroom ideas. To save on space, allow the two beds to share one bedside table. After all, they won't be keeping too much on here. Provide a water jug, coaster and trinket dish for jewellery. However, do include two lights so each guest can read with ease.
For ultimate flexibility, choose twin beds which can easily come together to form a double when preferred.
17. Upgrade the attic
Attic bedroom ideas are perfect for creating guest rooms. By their very nature, they tend only to be used occasionally, so sloping ceilings and a confined space is less likely to be an issue for the user.
You may not have any window coverings in these spaces, so ensure you invest in a blind or curtain so your visitors aren't woken up at the crack of dawn.
18. Pare it back
Make a small room feel bigger for your guests by limiting furniture to essential pieces only. You really only need a bed, a bedside table and some form of storage for bits and pieces.
If you can, keep the space under the bed clear in these smaller rooms. These will help open the space up further when not in use, and work as a perfect suitcase-storage spot when guests are over.
19. Utilise the walls
When guests drop by for an overnight or weekend stay, room to hang a change of clothes is invaluable, but a space-encroaching wardrobe isn't the only way. Instead, look at wall storage.
Buy a ready made option, or create one by hanging a minimalist rod from straps to create a place to hang clothes. Hooks provide extra storage, too.
20. Provide a welcome pack
Apart from the obvious like towels (make sure you provide one large bath towel, a hand towel and a washcloth per person) it's worth supplying a small welcome pack for your guests so they feel at home. Include a few luxuries like a scented soap, an unusual cream, a special shampoo and small tube of toothpaste.
FAQs
What should you have in a guest bedroom?
Guest bedrooms should be inviting and welcoming spaces, but you don't want to start adding in unnecessary items. Busy guest bedroom decor will feel cluttered and get dusty easily.
You need a bed, of course, and at least one surface. If you're tight on space in your guest bedroom ideas then a small chest of drawers can double as storage and as a bedside table. If you have the space, wardrobes, or at least hooks on the back of the door are useful. Good lighting and at least one mirror are also essential.
What do you do with a guest bedroom when not in use?
One of the great things about guest bedroom ideas is that it doesn't have to be a visitor-only space. Make yours work as a home office or craft room. They naturally tend to end up as storage spaces, but do so in an orderly fashion so you can clear things up easily when someone comes over.
These tips are what will earn you the title of the hostess with the mostest (or the host with the most, of course). Happy hosting!
