How to Style An Inviting, Memorable Guest Bedroom
Breaking down guest room decor & special touches to make your guests feel welcome
A water glass, candles, and a vase of flowers are essentials for a guest room bedside table.
I just got back from a trip away where I stayed in a friend’s home and was blown away by the welcoming guest room that greeted me on arrival. Now that we’re entering the summer entertaining season, I thought I would break down all of the ingredients — decor and other little touches — that go into creating an inviting guest bedroom that your guests will remember fondly for years to come.
I think a good starting point for deciding what to put in a guest room comes from asking the question, what would I want in a room when staying in someone else’s home? The inspiration that’s still fresh in my mind came from a recent stay at a friend’s home in the Caribbean. There were two huge baskets on the bed with everything we could have possibly needed from toiletries to snacks. The bed was beautifully made, and the bathroom was stocked with towels (including some splayed in a fan!).
These greeting baskets on a past trip left a huge impression on me.
Context is important as well and will guide what you want to include in your guest room based on the time of year and the duration of the stay, what you’re doing, who’s staying. For instance, you might want to include more essentials and comforts in a guest room in a holiday location where guests will stay for longer. Weather is another key factor as well as any activities you have planned (like going to the beach). Whether guests are traveling with kids might affect what you include in their room.
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Key Considerations When Styling A Guest Room
Above all, creating a cozy and inviting guest room is all about anticipating your guests’ needs and wants. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing decor and other details.
Things to make them comfortable - At a bare minimum, a guest room should offer basic necessities to make your guests as comfortable as possible without them having to go out of their way to ask for them, like water, throw blanket if it’s cold or fan if it’s warm, plenty of towels, and a trash can.
Things to offer convenience - On the next level up, make their stay a little easier especially when it comes to managing their belongings, like having hooks on doors, a luggage rack to stash their suitcase, and leaving space in the closet (or having a separate rack).
Things to fill in the packing gaps - There’s nothing worse than forgetting something you’re going to need. Just in case leave them with some toiletries like in a hotel - shampoo & conditioner, hand soap, backup toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, Q-tips, cotton balls.
Things they didn’t think to pack - Even the best packers amongst us might not have everything they could possibly need to deal with every situation that could come up so try to anticipate what those might be, ie: stain remover, sunscreen, mini bug spray etc.
Things to make them more at ease - No matter how close you are to your guests, they are not at home and might feel awkward rummaging through your cabinets for a midnight snack or attempting to figure out your coffee set up if they’re first up. The remedy is providing items that will make them feel totally at home — the ability to make coffee, snacks (I prefer a mix of sweet like Tate’s cookies and salty like chips or nuts), and/or a robe to present themselves for breakfast without having to get dressed.
Things to entertain them - Not a necessity, but if you want the stay to be remembered, you want to make your guests as happy as possible, and that means no bored guests. A TV in the room is an option, but low fi entertainment, such as cards and books, work well too, or a basket of toys for kids that are staying.
Things to make them feel special - If you want to really and truly make them feel special and truly welcomed, decorate the room with thoughtful touches like fresh (or handpainted) flowers, a scented candle, and/or a local or personal gift to remember their stay, like honey from your farmer’s market, homemade jam, or a candle. In the very least include a personal welcome note!
Things to help with discovery - Particularly if guests are new to the area and have time to explore, you might want to include a local magazine, maps or brochures to learn more about the area and get ideas what to do.
Guest Room Decor Ideas
Guest Room Comforts
Luggage Racks & Hooks for Managing Clothes
Refillable Containers & Storage for the Bathroom
Faux or Fresh Flowers for Decoration
Water Carafe & Glass for Bedside Table
Guest Room Scents
Greeting Basket with Toiletries & Snacks
In Room Mini Coffee Bar
For Their Entertainment