Maximising the Potential of Your Guest Room

No one likes a bad host, so don’t fall into the trap of giving your guests a horrible night’s sleep. Below are four simple tips to make you room feel less like a hotel, and more like it should be: an extension of your house to people you care deeply about.

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1) Choose the right bed

When furnishing your guest room, the first thing to consider is what kind of guest bed to provide for your visitors. In an ideal world a sumptuous four-poster bed would be perfect as it would add a layer of grandeur to your room. However, we don’t all have the space for this, so you have two far more practical options:

• A sofa bed: It doubles up as a seating area for your guests (something you of course have to account for) and if you are limited on space, it can fold away neatly so it won’t dominate the room.

• Twin beds: Although you may think a double bed is more welcoming, twin beds are far more versatile. They can be pushed together to mimic a double bed, or separated when required.

• A day bed: generally designed with patterns, a day bed does a great job of adding a stylish look and can turn your small guest room into a living room in a flash.

2) Choose sensible furniture

You will inevitably need to provide storage options for your guests, but with a limited space you may find yourself up against a brick wall, unsure where to turn.  Below are some furniture necessities:

• A Narrow Chest of Drawers: This will allow your guests to store their clothes in an organised way, and it will also work wonders for your décor. Their slim design looks elegant and it will draw focus away from the floor: creating the illusion of a larger space.

• A Wardrobe with a mirror: Your guest shouldn’t be forced to live out of a suitcase, so it is important to provide a wardrobe. By choosing a wardrobe with a full length mirror you can kill two birds with one stone and also cater to their vanity needs.

• A Bedside Table: A bedside table will create a more homely feel for your guests. My top tip is to buy a bedside table with a glass top: any nasty drink stains can be easily cleaned, and it will also give a classy look to your bedroom.

3) Curtains should never be forgotten

You wouldn’t want to sleep in a room without curtains, and you equally wouldn’t want to sleep in a room with poor curtains. So the easiest solution is:

• Blackout curtains: They will prevent your guests being awoken at the crack of dawn and, on a hot summer’s afternoon, they will act as a heat barrier and transform your guest room from a sauna into a cool living space.

4) Add a personal touch

Whatever anyone tells you, the little things in life make a huge difference. Your guestroom is not a hotel room, so don’t treat it like one. Be sure to add the following to create a comfortable, relaxed stay for your guests:

• Pillows, Pillows, and more Pillows: By including an abundance of pillows you will make your room look warm and welcoming, and you won’t make your guests have an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

• A good stack of books and DVDs: By having a selection of good books and DVDs for your guests to enjoy it will make them feel right at home.

About our Guest Blogger:
Paul is part of the interior design team for Wedo Beds, an online retailer specialising in comfortable beds and bedroom furniture, and he is happy to share his design tips with you. For more information visit the Wedo Beds online shop.