9 Easy & Accommodating Guest Room Ideas
Guests will feel right at home in your home.
A guest bedroom is an incredible asset, but it can be a bit more difficult to decorate than your household's other bedrooms. If you're struggling to get started, we've got you covered. In this guide, check out nine guest room ideas that will teach you how to decorate a guest room with ease.
1. A Matching Bedroom Set
Complete with a matching bed, dresser, nightstands, and other side furniture, a bedroom set is an excellent choice for furnishing a guest bedroom in one go. This easy option makes it so that you won't spend hours browsing through bedroom furniture to find the best fit for the space – just choose a style you like and everything your guests need will be included. Check out our Bedroom Set Buying Guide for more info about how to take advantage of these all-in-one sets.
Tip!
Want to give your guest room more of a hotel feel? Go with a guest-room-specific set – these sleek sets resemble hotel furnishings.
When decorating a guest room, it's important to keep in mind that, for most of the year, no one will be staying in it. Though this might incline you to keep the decor at a minimum, we think there's no better place to creatively incorporate color, pattern, and style. One of the best places to embrace decorative flair in a guest room is the bedspread. Because it will remain undisturbed most of the time, it's a great canvas on which to introduce bold patterns, textures, and colors. If you stick with a limited color palette of one to four colors and use a neutral tone as a base, you can't go wrong with this guest room idea.
You can't go wrong with a coastal guest room. Coastal style is laid-back and breezy, imbued with the perfect amount of vacation vibes to make guests feel like they're on a retreat. Plus, it's easy to institute – all you need is a color palette of sandy neutrals and bright blues, beach- or nautical-themed accent decor, and white-painted or natural wood accent furniture. Read more about how to adopt coastal style in Nautical Decorating: The Ultimate Guide to Coastal Decor.
If you really want to make your guests feel like they're staying at an accommodating hotel, consider adding a mini fridge and microfridge cabinet to your guest room's furnishings. With these items in place, guests will be able to snack and drink without leaving their room.
The accommodating functionality of a bedroom mirror cannot be overstated, especially if your home has shared bathrooms. If you hang an oversized mirror on the guest room wall or position a freestanding mirror in a well-lit corner, guests can take their time getting dressed and ready for the day instead of rushing to free up shared bathroom space. You can also consider getting a bedroom vanity with a built-in mirror – guests can store makeup products and other accessories on the vanity top for hassle-free prep.
Furnishing your guest room with an iron slat bed can give the entire space a sweet, country atmosphere. Opt for white bedding and antique-style decor for a farmhouse vibe that will leave guests feeling equal parts charmed and comfortable. A slatted bed is also a great option for smaller guest rooms, as the minimal design won't weigh down the space.
If you anticipate hosting guests for more than just a weekend, consider furnishing your guest room with multipurpose storage furniture that can accommodate their luggage. While a dresser is a must-have for holding guests' clothes, most dressers don't have the capacity to hold larger items like luggage or extra bedding. If your guest room doesn't have closet space, your guests may have to spend their entire stay stepping over their bags. Two-in-one storage furniture, like the storage ottoman in the guest room idea above, provides extra storage space and extra sitting space, both of which guests will greatly appreciate.
Tip!
If you have a smaller guest room and are worried about overcrowding the space with too much furniture, luggage racks are a great alternative. Though these compact, foldable tables do keep luggage on display, the luggage will be kept off the ground and will look much neater than if it were strewn about.
Another furniture amenity that you should consider adding to your guest room is a trusty desk. With a desk in place, guests won't have to worry about finding a suitable spot to do some work, jot things down, or browse on their computers. Guests will be stunned by your consideration and hospitality – but don't forget a desk chair!
We love using plants as home decor – they can imbue even the most simple of spaces with freshness and life. Plants can make an especially amazing impact on a guest room, turning it from cold and sterile to warm and welcoming. All that said, placing live potted plants in a guest room might not be the wisest choice. Because the guest room tends to be one of the least trafficked rooms in a home, remembering to stop by and water the plants can be tough and inconvenient. Avoid all the plant-related stress by decorating your guest room with faux alternatives. Just as lifelike and appealing as the real thing, artificial plants can transform your guest room space. Throw a faux bouquet or two into the mix to make guests feel even more welcome.
