Is your guest room more of a junk room than a bedroom? Is it furnished with a mish-mash of hand-me-downs you’ve gathered over the years? Then it might be time to give your guest room a makeover. Preparing for house guests can be a very enjoyable experience. There’s something satisfying about helping your visitors feel welcome and comfortable. So when you start to plan your guest room, think about what you’d like, and try to make your room measure up to that standard. Here are some handy tips to help you create the perfect guest room and set your home up as the favourite place to visit for family and friends!
Too often, the old mattress we don’t want to sleep on anymore ends up in the guest room. But chances are, if you don’t want to sleep on it, your guests won’t either! Dodgy springs, dents and not enough cushioning make a good night’s sleep difficult for your guests. So ditch that lumpy old mattress for one that you’d be happy to spend the night on.
It’s also tempting to relegate your old sheets to the guest bedroom. But there’s nothing nicer than sleeping on good quality linen, and your guests will thank you for it! You don’t have to spend a fortune, but buy new linen especially for this room. Consider keeping an extra blanket or throw at the end of the bed, in case guests need extra warmth during the night. And most importantly, dress to impress. Nothing sets off a bedroom more than a beautifully dressed bed. Choose a quality quilt cover and complementary cushions. If you’re not sure how to choose a colour scheme, you can’t go wrong with soft neutrals. They make a space look fresh, welcoming and well thought-out.
Guests always arrive with luggage of some sort, so make sure there’s a space for them to put their suitcase and room to store their belongings. Clear a space for a luggage rack, small table or bench for a suitcase. No-one likes having to stoop down to the floor to find a pair of socks! Even a chair can do the job. Provide spare coat hangers in the wardrobe, an empty drawer in the bedside table or chest of drawers, and enough room on top of the dresser for guests to unpack some of their own belongings like toiletries and jewellery.
Resist the temptation to fill the wardrobe in your spare bedroom with out-of-season clothes and other bits and pieces that don’t belong there. In a guest room, less is more, so get rid of anything that should really be in a storage room.
From early morning encounters on the way to the bathroom, to dealing with a bedroom door that doesn’t quite close, staying in someone else’s home can sometimes be a little awkward. So make sure the guest room has a door that shuts, suitable window coverings to control light and provide privacy, and a mirror so your guests don’t have to run to and from the bathroom to get dressed and do their hair and make-up.
Some people don’t feel comfortable sitting on a bed. So if possible, place an upholstered armchair in the room, with a table and lamp close by.
It’s always handy to have a light control near the bed, so guests don’t have to stumble around in the dark to turn the light on. If nothing else, provide a good reading lamp next to the bed.
The best guest rooms are the ones that make you feel at home. Small touches such as a selection of books or magazines on the bedside table or a scented candle, add warmth and character to the space, making it more welcoming.
Save your guests having to ask for towels by placing them at the end of the bed or in the guest bathroom. As well as towels, consider giving your guests a selection of toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser and toothpaste.
If you really want to take your guest bedroom experience to the next level, add a vase of fresh flowers or leave a welcome chocolate on each pillow. Your guests will love it!
Top Tip: Think about what you like to find in a lovely hotel room, and you’ll be well on your way to creating the perfect guest room in your own home.
At Hallmark Homes, we offer a fabulous selection of quality homes for families of all sizes. As a family-owned project builder with over 35 years experience building quality homes, Hallmark have a home design to suit the way you want to live. So if you’re thinking of building a new home in South-East Queensland, our friendly team is ready to help. Come and check out one of our display centres for yourself. If you have any questions about our home designs or house and land packages, please contact us today.
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