1. Incorporate a Cozy Color Palette
Sleeping away from home can be uncomfortable for many, so you’ll want to focus your guest bedroom ideas on elements that will promote coziness and comfort. One great way to bring those vibes? Through your color palette. Opt for moody or warm hues that feel like a big hug, like the brown-black (Char Brown by Benjamin Moore) seen here in a guest bedroom by Elaine Santos.
2. Plan for Ample Shelving
Phones, laptops, glasses, a Kindle—it’s pretty much impossible to “travel light” these days. To help your guests find a place for everything, add a slew of shelving to their sleep space, preferably close to the bed itself. In this home, designed by Winsome Interior Design, a stack of shelves tops each of the twin beds for an easy place to stash books, trinkets, tech, and more.
3. Put Out Fresh Flowers
Ahead of hosting guests for the weekend, you probably have a long checklist of tasks, from vacuuming the house to fluffing the bedding. One thing you shouldn’t forget to do? Grab a bundle of blooms for the guest room. Fresh florals can bring life and a welcoming atmosphere to even the most bare-bones space. If you know your friend’s favorite type of flower, opt for that—otherwise, a mixed bouquet, like the one seen in this guest bedroom idea by Liz Carroll, will be just as happy an accent.
4. Create a WFH Zone
With remote work more common than ever, chances are good that your guests will have to check in with the office or log onto their email at one point or another during their visit. Instead of forcing them to work from the kitchen table or perch on the bed with their laptop, incorporate a desk into the guest room for a dedicated WFH space. Here, the Winsome Interior Design team found a vintage piece that doubles as a nightstand for the nearby bed.
5. Sneak in Subtle Storage
Let’s be honest, no one likes living out of a suitcase, no matter how good a packer they are. Help your guests get settled in for the duration of their stay—whether that’s two days or two weeks—with a bevy of hidden storage options in your guest room. In this cozy guest bedroom idea, designer Amy Knerr of Of Place Studio opted for a built-in bed, surrounded by clever drawers and doors to hide all manner of necessities.
6 . Add a Seating Nook
Everyone needs a little alone time—especially guests who are far from home and “living” in someone else’s house. To ensure your loved one can sneak away for a bit of R & R whenever they need to, add a seating nook to their bedroom where they can scroll social media, make a phone call, or tuck into a book. In this home designed by Cecilia Casagrande, a handsome chair and coordinating ottoman offer the perfect spot to take five.
