With a house full of rooms to decorate and maintain, it’s easy to overlook the guest room. After all, why spend time and energy on a room that’s rarely occupied?
But having a nice guest room says a lot about you: It tells others that you care for your guests’ comfort and, in fact, that you care about them.
“It’s about being mindful of who your guests are and how they live, so they’re calm and at peace when they’re staying in your home,” notes one interior designer in a recent New York Times article.
It doesn’t take much to show your guests they are valued. Here are a few simple tips from The Spruce on creating a guest room that’s more than a holding place in your home:
Upgrade the bed: If you do nothing else, provide a comfortable mattress. “If you can’t afford a new or good used bed, think about getting a quality air mattress,” notes The Spruce. “They’re really quite comfortable and can be placed on top of a box spring, over a sofa bed mattress, or on the floor.”
Choose fine linens and comforters: Outfit the bed with care, providing fluffy comforters, quality sheets and pillowcases, and extra blankets.
Provide space for luggage: If you have space, place a luggage rack, small table, or bench in the room so your guests have a place for their suitcases. “Even a chair is better than nothing,” adds The Spruce.
Remove the clutter: Avoid using the room as storage space. Keep the closets as uncluttered as possible, so your guests can hang up their clothes, and provide some empty drawers in a dresser, as well.
Include a chair: “Some people do not feel comfortable sitting on a bed,” notes The Spruce. Be sure there’s a chair in the room with a quality lamp for reading.
Offer amenities: Simple items show you care. Provide a lighted clock or clock/radio near the bed, paper and pens, tissues, a hairdryer, a favorite novel and even wrapped snacks like fresh fruit or cookies to make your guests feel pampered.