Ideas for creating an awesome guest room

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Guest rooms often feel like a waste of space if you don’t receive many overnight visitors, but having one is a necessary evil: you try telling your mother-in-law she’ll have to camp on the living room couch! Luckily, there are many ways to update your guest room into a functional space that guests will rave over. All those last minute dashes to empty the cupboard or take away loose storage items thrown on the bed can now become a thing of the past with these easy ideas for making a guest room so stunning you might have trouble getting your guests to return to their own homes! 

Back to basics: bedding

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Bedding makes a big difference in space and feel, so it should be the top priority on your list. If you often have more than one guest staying over, consider ditching the double bed for two classy singles instead. By moving away from the double bed, you open up space for extra features in the room (like a small desk or work space) and it can also make a small room appear larger than it really is. Matching single beds don’t have to look like a children’s bedroom, and with the right linens two single beds can become much more stylish than a double bed. If you have wooden flooring (see our post Flooring options for every room for more info on flooring styles), consider using a matching wood for the bed frames to tie more of the room together. To make a bright and inviting space, consider using the following:

· Lighter woods do more than give a beachy-vibe. Lighter woods can help lighten a room with less natural light or windows, and are a great way to make a calm space.
· Matching linens are a must. The days of using mismatched sheets and pillowcases should be long past, and a basic set of two pillowcases, a sheet and a duvet cover don’t have to cost millions.
· Try to choose colours that match the tone and furniture of the room, as well as the flooring you have. The bed is often the first thing that your guest will notice when they enter the room, and you want it to be as warm and inviting as possible. 

Accessorize for success

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Never underestimate the blessing of a bedside table. In your guest room, try to ensure that there is a bedside table with enough open space for your guest to put down some of their night time essentials, and that the bedside table has easy access to an electrical outlet. Sure, it’s tempting to put that pretty flowerpot on the bedside table, but if it doesn’t leave any space for your guest’s tablet or books then it won’t be practical. Here are our must-haves and must-avoids for your guest’s bedside table:

· A working reading lamp is a fine addition to any bedroom, and chances are your guest will make good use of it. Make sure to dust the lamp before your guests arrive, and that the globe is working. A simple reading lamp is quite affordable, and they come in a variety of styles and colours that make them suitable to any kind of room.
· If you have WiFi at home, consider putting a note with access details on the bedside table for your guest to use. Not only does this make it convenient for your guest to use, it also saves time.
· Consider setting up a simple tray, preferably inside the drawer, which your guests can use to place their smaller valuables in. This way your guests can easily keep track of smaller items like earrings, watches, car keys, sunglasses and anything else they might need. 

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Inviting a guest into your home doesn’t have to be a stressful event. If you use your guest room for storage, consider buying some organizers that can be placed in the top of the cupboard and hide your items out of sight. As long as the room gets a decent cleaning every few weeks, and a quick spruce up before your guests arrive, everything is easily under control. If you’re revamping the entire room, use this post Flooring options for every room as a starting point to find the floor that will tie your guest room together- your guests will thank you for it!