Introduction
Having guests stay over can be exciting, but also nerve-wracking. You want them to feel comfortable and at home, but may not have a designated guest room ready for them. Not to worry! With some thoughtful touches and easy DIY projects, you can transform any spare room into a space your guests will love. In this article, we’ll explore quick and affordable ways to spruce up a guest room so it feels warm, inviting, and personalized. From giving the room a mini makeover to stocking it with essentials, these guest room touches can be done by anyone and don’t require a lot of time or money. Read on for tips, tricks, and inspiration to make your guests feel right at home.
Give the Room a Quick Makeover
Even small updates to a guest room’s decor can make a big impact. Consider these easy DIY projects and inexpensive buys to instantly give the space a fresh, put-together look:
Add a Statement Wall
Painting just one accent wall in a bold color instantly livens up the room. Try a dark charcoal gray, deep blue, or vibrant green. For a more subtle approach, use tonal variations of a color, create vertical stripes, or paint a geometric pattern.
Display Meaningful Art
In lieu of generic hotel art, make things feel more personal by hanging some of your favorite prints, photos, or pieces created by friends and family. Group similar frames for a gallery wall effect.
Install New Lighting
Swap out an outdated ceiling fixture for something more modern and stylish. Sconces by the bed are another easy upgrade.
Update Windows
Add color and texture with patterned curtains, shades, or blinds. Opt for blackout versions to ensure guests can sleep comfortably.
Add Pops of Color
Bright pillows, a cozy throw, floral bedding, and fresh flowers quickly inject visual interest into neutral guest room decor.
Style the Nightstands
Pretty lamps, books, plants, and trays containing water, chargers, and a bedtime snack give nightstands purpose.
Define the Space with Rugs
Area rugs instantly make a room feel complete. They also add warmth and softness underfoot.
With a few coats of paint, new window treatments, stylish bedding, and meaningful accents, you can give a guest room an entirely new look in a weekend. Focus on making it feel homey, relaxing, and reflective of your personal style.
Outfit the Room with Essentials
Ensuring your guests have everything they need for a comfortable stay is key. Stock the guest room with these essentials:
Quality Bedding
Invest in attractive, cozy bedding, including sheets, pillows, blankets, and a mattress pad. Provide extra pillows and blankets as well so they can layer up.
Bedside Tables
Nightstands give guests a place to set glasses, phones, and books within easy reach. Include lamps for reading.
Hangers and Drawers
Provide hanging space and empty drawers for guests to unpack their clothing. A luggage rack adds space for large bags.
Wastebasket
Discreetly tuck a small trash can in the room. Quick daily emptying keeps things fresh.
Tissues and Air Freshener
These small touches help combat sniffles and keep the guest room smelling clean.
Snacks and Water
A carafe of water and basket containing granola bars, nuts, fruit, and candy makes a thoughtful gift.
Alarm Clock
Ensure your guest can wake up on time with a reliable, easy-to-use alarm clock within reach.
Full-Length Mirror
An uncluttered mirror helps guests get ready comfortably each morning.
Extra Towels and Toiletries
Provide ample clean towels and travel-sized toiletries like shampoo and soap in case guests forget something.
Wi-Fi Password
Print up a card with your Wi-Fi network name and password so they can easily connect.
When outfitting a guest room, it’s all about anticipating needs. Having creature comforts and extra supplies readily available will make your guests feel well taken care of.
Add Thoughtful Touches
Go the extra mile to make your guests really feel special with these thoughtful personal touches:
Welcome Note
Leave a handwritten card greeting your guests by name, offering a warm welcome, and providing your contact information in case they need anything.
Local Guidebook
Create a handy local guide covering your hometown’s top restaurants, things to do, and hidden gems. This shows you want them to have the best stay possible.
Fresh Flowers
A small bouquet instantly brightens a room and makes it smell wonderful. Opt for a low maintenance potted plant or cut blooms in their favorite color.
Guest Book
Set out a notebook and encourage visitors to sign it with their name, dates, and a quick note. This creates a keepsake.
Nighttime Essentials
Help your guests relax and sleep with lavender spray, a sound machine, sleep masks, and cozy slippers.
Charging Station
Set up accessible outlets along with cords for device charging. A portable charger also shows extra thought.
Favorite Snacks
Make your guest’s stay extra sweet by providing a tin of their favorite cookies or other treats. Tailor it to their preferences.
Local Recommendations
Offer personalized suggestions like the best coffee shop or hike based on your guest’s interests. This makes the stay special.
Thank You Gift
Leave a small gift like fancy soaps,gift cards, or souvenirs for your guest to take home as a memento.
When you take the time to add thoughtful personal touches and pamper your guests a bit, it shows you really care about making their stay enjoyable. Even small gestures go a long way in making a guest room warm and inviting.
Decorating Tips and Tricks
Follow these handy decorating tips and tricks as you give your guest room an upgrade:
- Opt for a soothing, neutral color palette accented with pops of color via decor and bedding. This allows the room to appeal to varied taste.
- Check lighting to ensure the room is well-illuminated. Add task lighting as needed.
- Use lighting controls like dimmers so guests can set the right ambiance.
- Include surfaces like a desk, table, dresser, and bookshelves for guests to use.
- Add storage for clothing and belongings so guests can unpack and get organized.
- Refresh stale air with a diffuser or air purifier. Keep extra fans on hand.
- Layer on cozy textures with rugs, throws, soft pillows, and plush towels.
- Arrange bedding neatly and ensure linens are fresh and wrinkle-free.
- Set out books, magazines, and information about your area for leisure reading.
- Add universal elements like greenery, mirrored surfaces, art, and accent pillows.
- Provide a luggage rack, hangers, drawer organizers, and closet storage.
- Place decor and essentials within easy reach of the bed for convenience.
- Include lighting and power outlets on both sides of the bed for flexibility.
- Check that window coverings block light and provide privacy.
Keeping decor comfortable, flexible, cleanly, and clutter-free makes a space feel open and soothing for guests. Follow the hospitality industry’s lead and make the room feel like an upscale hotel.
DIY Projects to Pamper Guests
Looking for easy DIY projects to make your guest room extra homey? Here are some fun ideas to try:
DIY Throw Pillows
- Jazz up plain pillows by using fabric paint to add patterns, inspirational quotes, or monograms.
- Decorate purchased pillow forms with trim, pom poms, tassels, and appliques.
- Sew a pillow cover from at least one fun, patterned fabric. Finish the edges with cording.
Framed Wall Art
- Frame pages from old books, sheet music, or maps to make free wall art.
- Press and frame botanicals like leaves and flowers.
- Display your own photography, drawings, or artwork.
Accent Mirror
- Use decorative duct tape to add striking patterns to the corners of a basic mirror.
- Paint or decoupage the mirror frame to complement your color scheme.
- Hang the mirror at an angle for visual interest.
Tissue Box Cover
- Cut cardboard into a box shape and cover it with patterned scrapbook paper or fabric.
- Glue on lace, trims, buttons, or appliques for decoration. Insert a tissue box inside.
Bedside Caddy
- Attach a caddy to the bed for extra storage. Use baskets or fabric organizers.
- Include items like books, mini toiletry items, snacks, electronics, and chargers.
Embracing your crafty side and making one-of-a-kind projects adds personality you can’t buy in stores. Display your DIY creations proudly to pamper your guests.
Maintaining the Guest Room
Don’t let all your hard work styling the guest room go to waste. Maintain the space properly so it’s always company-ready with these tips:
- Wash bedding and towels before each new guest’s arrival. Iron linens for a polished look.
- Vacuum carpet and mop hard floors to keep things clean and allergen-free.
- Dust surfaces, mirrors, and lighting fixtures so the room looks fresh.
- Take the trash out daily. Replace wastebasket liners.
- Restock supplies like tissues, toiletries, and water as needed. Check expiration dates.
- Freshen air with natural deodorizers and crack windows when possible for ventilation.
- Turn mattresses and fluff pillows to keep bedding comfortable and inviting.
- Store out-of-season decor items elsewhere so the room doesn’t feel cluttered.
- Rearrange furnishings occasionally for a new look and to clean behind furniture.
- Touch up scuffs on walls and address any maintenance issues quickly.
- Ask guests if the room’s decor and amenities meet their needs and adjust as warranted.
Putting five minutes per day into tidying, decluttering, and restocking the guest room prevents bigger messes down the road. Take pride in providing guests with hotel-quality cleanliness and comfort.
Overcoming Guest Room Challenges
Hosting guests when you don’t have an official extra bedroom can understandably present challenges. But with a little creativity, you can still carve out an inviting guest space. Here are tips for overcoming common guest room issues:
Small Spare Room
- Utilize space-saving furniture, like a slim drawer dresser and a bed that can be raised up to store belongings underneath.
- Store non-essentials elsewhere so surfaces remain clutter-free.
- Include just key pieces like a bed, nightstand, and comfy chair. Edit down on decor.
- Opt for a smaller-scale sleeper sofa rather than a bed if space is extremely tight.
- Add shelving for extra storage and dual purpose furnishings like an ottoman with built-in storage.
- Place a curtain rod close to the ceiling to draw the eye up and make the room feel larger.
No Spare Room
- Carve out guest space with a temporary room divider or curtains.
- Pull double duty from furniture like converting a dining table into a desk during the day.
- Offer your bedroom while you take the sofa. Provide a screen for privacy.
- Invest in an inflatable mattress or sleeper sofa with bedding that can be packed away.
- Add welcoming touches like flowers and a snack basket wherever guests will sleep.
- Set out guest towels and toiletries in the main bath and clear out drawers or shelf space.
Shared Guest Room
- Use hanging curtains, screens, or dividers to delineate personal spaces.
- Arrange beds on opposite walls and add separate nightstand “stations”.
- Provide adequate places to store clothing/items out of sight of others.
- Ask guests about schedules, privacy needs, and temperament to minimize conflicts.
- Set house rules like morning quiet hours, bathroom times, and cleaning responsibilities.
- Stock extra blankets, pillows, alarm clocks, and lighting so guests can personalize their space.
With ingenuity and flexibility, you can create a comfortable, functional guest room almost anywhere in your home. Focus on making the most of what you have.
Frequently Asked Questions About Guest Rooms
What are the most important things to include in a guest room?
At minimum, a comfortable bed with quality linens, a nightstand, lamp, empty closet/drawers for unpacking, extra pillows/blankets, box of tissues, wastebasket, alarm clock, and a mirror are guest room essentials. Wi-Fi info, bottled water, extra towels, and toiletries will also be appreciated.
How can I decorate a guest room inexpensively?
Use what you already have available like framed art and accent pillows. Target dollar stores for basic white or neutral bedding. Add pops of color and personality with patterned curtains from big box stores, thrifted lamps, and DIY projects.
What should be on each nightstand in a guest room?
Each nightstand should contain a table lamp, alarm clock, box of tissues, pen and notepad, bottled water, chargers, a small snack, and a small wastebasket. You may also include reading material, cough drops, ear plugs, hand cream, mints, an extra pillow, or other useful items.
What colors make the best guest room?
Opt for restful neutrals like white, gray, tan, and light blue. Then layer in accents of vibrant colors via bedding, throw pillows, wall art, and accessories. Avoid overly loud or stimulating colors that make sleeping difficult.
How do I stock a guest bathroom?
Provide ample clean towels, including hand towels and washcloths. Essential toiletries are bar soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shaving cream, feminine products, and extra toilet paper. A candle, fresh flowers, guest soap dish, and magazine also make nice additions.
What should you not do in a guest room?
Don’t use the guest room as a storage space or exercise area. Remove clutter, workout gear, computers, and anything you don’t want guests accessing. Also refrain from scheduling early morning deliveries or repairs that may disturb your guest’s sleep.
How do I make a small guest room feel bigger?
Use space-saving options like a wall-mounted drop-leaf table or a Murphy bed. Raise beds onto risers to allow storage underneath. Minimize clutter and furniture pieces to avoid feeling cramped. Paint walls light colors and use floor length curtains to open up the space visually. Arrange furnishings to define sleeping and seating zones.
How do I stock snacks for guest rooms?
Provide an assortment of shelf-stable snacks like granola bars, trail mix, crackers, dried fruit, popcorn, nuts, tea, coffee, and cocoa. You can also offer sweets like chocolate and cookies. Buy small single-size portions or split bulk items into reusable containers. Refrigerated drinks, fruit, and yogurt make nice additions too.
Final Thoughts on Welcoming Guest Room Touches
Preparing a well-equipped guest room is one of the kindest gestures we can make when loved ones come to visit. Transforming any spare space into a cozy home-away-from-home doesn’t require a full renovation or expensive store-bought decor. With clever DIY upgrades, thoughtful amenities, and special personalized touches, you can create a space guests will truly appreciate and feel comfortable in.
Focus on maximizing the layout of the room, providing storage for belongings, and outfitting the space with everything a guest might need during their stay. Keep things tidy, well-maintained, and refreshed between visits. A little creativity goes a long way when it comes to crafting a warm, welcoming environment. Don’t be afraid to ask for input on how you can improve the space over time.
Extending family and friends the gift of hospitality by offering an inviting guest room for whenever they visit is sure to be appreciated. Making people feel cared for and at home while they are under your roof is what guest room touches are really all about.
