Menu
Bedroom / Design / Favorite Spaces

Guest Bedroom Ideas: How to Prepare an Inviting Space Your Guests Will Love

If you’re getting ready to welcome overnight guests and want to know how to prepare a beautiful and comfortable space they’ll love, today I’m sharing some easy guest room ideas to help you create an inviting guest bedroom your family and friends will love. 

Along with easy guest bedroom preparation tips, you’ll find modern bedroom decor ideas, designer inspiration, and a list of last-minute guest room essentials and little extras to create a memorable experience for your guests.

Love this beautiful small bedroom with neutral layered bedding, furniture, and decor - bedroom ideas - cozy bedroom - boho bedroom - coastal bedroom - coastal decor - modern coastal style - coastal grandmother - pure salt interiorsPure Salt Interiorschandelier

Guest Bedroom Decor Ideas & Prep Tips: How to Create an Inviting Space Your Guests Will Love

As you’ll see in the inspiration photos below, I’m drawn to light and airy spaces; however, I encourage you to decorate your guest room in a color palette and design style that works best for you and matches the style of your home.

1. Include the essentials

What essentials should you include in a guest bedroom?

A few things on my guest room essentials list include fresh bedding, plenty of pillows and blankets, luxe bath linens, a good mattress, storage space for their belongings, a luggage rack or bench to set their suitcases, adequate lighting, and blinds or curtains (preferably blackout curtains) on the windows.

The Life Styled Co.

Having a comfortable space ready and waiting for your guests to settle into when they arrive will show them you’re excited to have them in your home.

Luxury home styling tips you can use to create beautiful RH style in your bedroom and home - jane at homefrom my post, How to Get the Restoration Hardware Look for Less

Even if your home doesn’t have a lot of extra room, having all the essentials taken care of beforehand helps you relax and enjoy yourself, too.

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials for a beautiful guest room - small bedroom ideas - boho bedroom - kelsey leigh designKelsey Leigh Design Co.chandelier

2. Keep it comfortable

One of the best ways to make your guests feel comfortable during their time in your home is to check the thermostat and ensure the room they’re staying in is warm (or cool) enough.

A beautiful coastal bedroom design with neutral decor and furniture - coastal grandmother bedroom ideasPure Salt Interiors

During the cooler months, placing soft throws and coverlets on the bed, extra blankets in the closet, and a portable space heater in each guest room are ways to create a warm and cozy space for visitors. 

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a dreamy space for guestsThe Heart and Havenbedding

In the summer, especially if you don’t have air conditioning, you might want to provide a portable fan or ceiling fan. 

Don’t forget to adjust the thermostat up or down if your guests are sleeping in a cool basement or hot upstairs space. 

Even better, invite them to make the necessary adjustments to the thermostat themselves.

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a dreamy space for guests - jane at homeAlaina Kaz

3. Create a luxurious experience

If you’d like to make your guest suite feel like a 5-star hotel, pamper your guests with plenty of pillows (both soft and firm), good-quality sheets, a fluffy duvet or comforter, and a comfortable mattress. 

Luxury home styling tips you can use to create beautiful RH style in your bedroom and home - jane at home

From my post, How to Get the Restoration Hardware Look for Less

If you have adequate space, adding two beds to your guest bedroom will allow the entire family to stay in one room–just like in a hotel.

Love this beautiful bedroom idea with two beds, a woven light fixture, and neutral decor and furniture - guest bedroom ideas - guest bedroom decor - guest room - coastal bedroom - coastal decor Pure Salt Interiors

This beautiful bedroom design features soft layered bedding and a soothing neutral color palette to promote restful sleep.

Love this beautiful modern master bedroom with soft neutral bedding, decor and furniture - bedroom decor - bedroom furniture - bedroom rug ideas - modern farmhouse bedroom - alexis andra austinAlexis Andra Austin

Creating a plush and cozy bed will help your guests get a good night’s sleep.  And well-rested guests are happy guests–which makes their visit more enjoyable for you, too! 

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a dreamy space for guests - small bedroom ideas - boho bedroomPure Salt Interiorschandelier

How to make a hotel style bed:

  • Start with all-white bedding.  
  • Use 300-thread-count cotton sheets (preferably Egyptian cotton). 
  • Percale sheets are cooler but can get wrinkly after washing, while sateen sheets are warmer and softer.  Since my husband and I are both hot sleepers, we prefer cotton percale sheets and bedding.
  • Rather than using a fitted bottom sheet, use a flat sheet and tuck it in using hospital corners (basically, wrap the corners like you would a gift, like the comforter shown below).

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a beautiful and welcoming space for guestsJill Egan

  • Tuck in the top flat sheet on the sides and foot of the bed, with the top folded over 8 to 10 inches (and also tucked in).  Another tip is to put the top flat sheet on upside down, so when you fold over the top, you will see the finished side of the sheet.
  • For a luxurious hotel ambiance, use a fluffy down comforter and a cotton duvet cover.  Consider using a duvet insert that is two inches wider and longer than your duvet cover for an extra-plush look.
  • Provide at least two down pillows and two down-alternative or gel pillows to give your guests sleeping options.
  • Euro shams are also a nice touch for reading in bed. 
  • If your guest bedroom mattress has seen better days, you might want to consider replacing it with a new mattress or adding a plush feather mattress topper.

bedding ideas:

4. Guest bedroom decor ideas

When it comes to decorating a guest bedroom, this is one of those spaces where you can really get creative and experiment with a different decorating style and color scheme. 

Love this beautiful modern bedroom design with a wood canopy bed and light and airy chandelier - bedroom ideas - boho bedroom - pure salt interiorsPure Salt Interiorschandelier

So, if you’ve been wanting to experiment with a new design style — perhaps something more modern than the rest of your home — the guest room is a great place to try it out!

A lovely guest bedroom with luxurious bedding and modern coastal artwork - Pure SaltPure Salt Interiors

To create a beautiful space for your guests to enjoy, add a touch of style via wall art, decorative pillows, plants, pretty bedding, unique lighting, an upholstered headboard, rugs, side tables, and decor. 

Salt Design Co.

For more ideas and inspiration for decorating a bedroom, you might be interested in this post:  Modern Bedroom Design Ideas and Trends for a Dreamy Master Suite

I also have dozens of posts sharing bedroom decorating ideas, which you can find here.

Love this beautiful modern coastal bedroom design with light neutral furniture and decor - bedroom ideas - bedroom decor - design loves detailDesign Loves Detail

Flea markets and thrift shops are great sources for interesting nightstands, dressers, mirrors, and wall art for the guest room.

Pure Salt Interiors

Of course, the main goal should be to keep this space as comfortable and restful as possible, so as you decorate your guest room always try to keep clutter to a minimum. 

Love this beautiful bedroom design with neutral bedding, decor, and furniture! bedroom ideas - bedroom decor - coastal interiors - modern coastal bedroom - pure saltPure Salt Interiors

Bring in layers of texture via extra blankets or throws at the end of the bed.  Not only do they add a touch of coziness, they encourage afternoon naps!

Love this light and airy bedroom design with all white bedding and touches of blue - bedroom ideas - coastal decor - coastal bedroom - bedroom decor - coastal grandmother aestheticGreige Design

If you have enough space, you might also want to add a bench at the end of the bed or set up a little seating area so guests have somewhere to sit other than the bed.

Pure Salt Interiorswall artcane bed

5. Include plenty of lighting

Another consideration is to make sure the guest room has adequate lighting, both overhead and at the bedside.

Beautiful small guest bedroom with modern light fixture - luxurious bedroom | boho bedroom | small bedroom | coastal bedroomPure Salt Interiorschandelier

If your guest bedroom is too small for nightstands, you can always install wall sconces to save space and provide ample lighting.

Guest bedroom design ideas for a dreamy and inviting space - Janette Mallory InteriorsJanette Mallory Interiorswoven pendant light

Before guests arrive, I always try to remember to check the bedside lamps to make sure they’re plugged in and the light bulbs are working. 

Beautiful guest room idea - adding a bench to the end of the bed so guests have a place to sit - Pure SaltPure Salt Interiors

See my Favorite Lighting Page for more lighting ideas and sources.

6. Don’t forget the little extras

When choosing little extras for the guest room, try to think of touches that will make your guests feel at home, like fresh flowers, plants, magazines, books, candles, robes, a box of tissues, and a rug next to the bed so their feet have a soft spot to land in the morning. 

 

Guest bedroom decor ideas Studio McGee

Another great idea is to create a guest room basket filled with things your guests will need while they’re visiting, like plush towels, wash cloths, tissues, an extra toothbrush, and small toiletries.

Not only will a guest bedroom basket make your guests feel pampered, it’s a great way to use all those little unopened bottles of face wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash from your travels!

Pure Salt Interiors

If you have the space, providing a full-length mirror is always appreciated!  You can even hang one on the back of the door if you don’t have enough space to prop one against the wall.

Beautiful modern coastal bedroom design with wood four poster bed - Pure Salt -#bedroomideas #bedroomdecor #homedecorPure Salt Interiors

I also like to leave a bottle or two of water or a carafe set on the nightstand. 

One of my favorite guest bedroom ideas is to add a little snack like trail mix, nuts, m&ms, granola bars, cookies, or chocolates, to make our visitors feel special.  It’s such a simple thing to do, but it’s always a big hit with our guests!

7. Provide space for their things

Before your guests arrive, make some extra space in the guest room closet and add plenty of hangers so they can unpack and hang their clothes. 

Design Loves Detail

It’s also nice if you can provide a spot for them to keep their suitcases.  A folding suitcase rack, like they have in hotels, is a wonderful guest bedroom addition.

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials for a dreamy guest roomStudio McGee

Providing a large nightstand or dresser in your spare bedroom is also a great idea. 

Not only does it provide surface space for their essentials, it provides additional storage in case your guests would like to unpack all their belongings.

Love this modern bedroom design with a canopy bed, light wood nightstand, bench, and neutral furniture and decor - master bedroom ideas - modern master bedroom ideas - coastal bedroom ideas - neutral bedroom - relaxing master bedroom ideasPure Salt Interiors

8. Share your wi-fi info

Another great way to make your guests feel welcome is to jot down your wi-fi network and password on a little card and leave it on the bedside table. 

A beautiful coastal bedroom design with neutral decor and furniture - coastal grandmother bedroom ideasPure Salt Interiors

It’s such an easy thing to do, but it goes a long way towards making your guests feel at home. 

Luxury home styling tips you can use to create beautiful RH style in your living room, bedroom, and home - jane at homefrom my post, How to Get the Restoration Hardware Look for Less

And, if you want to do something really special, you can download a guest room wifi sign and pop it in one of these stand frames!

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a dreamy space for guests - jane at homeAmber Interiors

9. Provide a spot to work

Since so many people work from home these days, one of my favorite guest bedroom ideas is setting up your space with a desk and chair as a workspace. 

Pure Salt Interiors

Not only does it give your guests a place to work or check their email, it gives you a little break from entertaining!

Guest bedroom ideas and essentials to create a dreamy space for guestsMarie Flanigan Interiors

With a little preparation and a relaxed frame of mind, hosting overnight visitors can be a wonderful experience, and I hope this post gave you some ideas for creating a beautiful, comfortable room for guests.

Where to find beautiful bedroom furniture, lighting, rugs, artwork, bedding, and decor

Designing a stylish and comfortable bedroom that will make your guests feel at home doesn’t have to break the bank, and you can easily furnish and decorate a spare bedroom on a budget. 

Below are a few of my favorite places to shop for beds, nightstands, rugs, lighting, artwork, bedding, and decor for the bedroom:

Serena & Lily (bedding, rugs, beds, chairs, nightstands, dressers, lighting)
McGee & Co. (bedroom furniture, rugs, lighting)
Arhaus (beds, bedroom furniture)
Boll & Branch (bedding)
TJ Maxx (bedding, curtains, rugs, decor)
Pottery Barn (bedding, rugs, bedroom furniture, lighting, artwork, decor)
Wayfair (furniture, lighting, rugs)

guest bedroom decor and furniture

For more guest bedroom decor ideas and inspiration, you might also be interested in these posts from Jane at Home:

The Best Color Combinations for a Relaxing Bedroom: How to Create a Calming Oasis

My Favorite Bedding, Bedroom Decor, and Bedroom Furniture

Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home

What is Coastal Grandmother Style? (and why I’m loving it!)

My Favorite Nancy Meyers Interiors (and How to Get Her Style)

How to Get the Restoration Hardware Look for Less

Modern Bedroom Ideas for a Dreamy Master Suite

2024 Home Decor Trends and Design Ideas You Will Love

Color of the Year 2024 + Top Home Color Trends

I hope you found this post informative and helpful.  Let me know if you have questions about decorating a guest bedroom.  Have a wonderful day!  xo Jane

Beautiful guest bedroom ideas for 2024, with inspiration photos, bedroom decor ideas, guest basket essentials, last-minute guest room prep tips, cozy neutral bedding, and more!

 

   

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click a link and purchase something, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, please read my full disclosure here.