Guest Bedroom Retreat Guide

Whether you just took the leap and purchased your first house (congrats, home owner!), moved to a new home for more space (upgrade!), or even a new state for a job opportunity (adventure awaits!), there’s plenty to do to make your house feel like a home. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your living room is ready to spend time in and even entertain guests. You’ll want your kitchen and dining room full and functional so you can step away from the take-out boxes; and you want to create a bedroom that’s a personal retreat where you can get away from it all and, of course, sleep.

However, there’s a sometimes-overlooked room or section of a room that can make your home feel like it’s truly yours—and that’s because it’s a home where you can host your favorite family and friends. So send your college roommate an invite for a girl’s weekend, or tell your in-laws there’s no need to book a hotel room this Thanksgiving. (Unless you want to. No judgement here!) Because we have simple steps for creating a guest bedroom retreat, filled with the essentials to make your guests feel right at home.

There are many challenges to guest bedroom design. First, guest bedrooms have to serve as temporary home base for a variety of people, so you need flexible furniture that can accommodate singles, couples and even families. Second, not all of us have an extra bedroom to use exclusively for guests. Even if we have a spare bedroom, it may need to serve multiple purposes. Office by day, guest room by night—sure!

Start the guest bedroom design process by asking yourself a few questions:

1. What space can I set aside for guests?
2. Will it be used exclusively for guests, or will it be used for other purposes?
3. If the room will be used for other roles, what are they? What furniture and equipment do they require?
4. Who are your frequent flyers, who you’ll typically be hosting? How long will they stay at your home?

Guest Room Furniture Basics

Once you’ve determined the answers to these basic questions, you can start tackling the list of basic furniture and home accessories that you’ll need for a guest bedroom. Here’s the items you need, as well as a few extras that are nice to have if you have the space and budget available.

• Guest bed – You’ve determined what space you have available, as well as who will be staying with you. If you have room, a queen bed is a great pick for guest rooms, as it can accommodate couples. For smaller spaces, you may select a full or twin bed, or even consider a daybed, futon or sofa sleeper.
• Comfortable guest mattress – Whether you choose a queen, full, twin bed or other, you’ll want to invest in a quality mattress so your guests will be comfortable. You may be tempted to get a cheap mattress, since it won’t be used often. However, a better-quality mattress may save you money in the long run, as you’ll get more years of use from it. Your guests’ backs will be sure to thank you.
• Nightstand – A pair of nightstands is ideal for a queen bed, but a single nightstand can still give your guests a convenient place to set their beverage, glasses and phone within reach. A hostess tip: set a basket with some overnight essentials on the nightstand. A couple bottles of water, washcloths, lotion and a few books will go a long way in making your guest feel at home, and they’ll be raving about your thoughtfulness as well. Win, win!
• Lamp - Ideally, there will be one table and lamp for each guest, allowing them to easily read in bed, work on a laptop and more.
• Mirror - A full length mirror will let your guests perform the necessary twirls and checks to get themselves ready for whatever events you have planned for the day.

While these essentials are enough to make your guest feel at home, you may want to consider a few extras that are perfect if you have the space, especially if you have anyone coming for an extended stay at your lovely chateau. As a bonus, all of these items can make your space more functional for day-to-day use as well.

• Desk and chair – A desk and chair will give your guests a space to work, whether they have to plug into the office or just check in on some emails throughout their stay. Even if it’s not going to be used as your main office area, the extra desk and chair are sure to come in handy for an extra workspace for your family as well. For instance, you can use it as a space to leave out a project, taxes or other paperwork when you don’t have guests present.
• Chest of drawers – A chest of drawers gives guests a spot to unpack their belongings, so they don’t have to live out of a suitcase during longer stays. You can also use a few of the bottom drawers for your own storage—think extra linens, spare bath towels and more. Leave the top two – three drawers empty for your guests, and everyone will gain the storage they need, full time residents and temporary residents alike.
• Storage ottoman – A storage ottoman is one of those great pieces of furniture that can play so many roles in many rooms of the house, including a guest bedroom. First, the storage. You can place extra linens and guest towels in storage ottomans, keeping them out of sight but still within reach. Storage ottomans also provide a handy place for your guests to sit as they put on their shoes, or even for longer periods as they take a break from the day in the guest oasis that you’ve created for them.

Multi-purpose Guest Room Solutions

In today’s world, many of us play many roles. We are always multi-tasking, so it’s no surprise that we expect the same from our homes. After all, it’s about working smarter, not working more, right? Today, it’s not uncommon for a guest room to wear multiple hats. It’s still possible to create a functional and fashionable guest space, even if the room will also be used for an office, home gym or more. Here are some specific tips for double-duty rooms.

• Guest Bedroom + Office – If you plan to pair up a guest room and home office into a single space, then multi-purpose furniture is the key to your success. Consider a futon, daybed or sofa sleeper instead of a queen or full bed. These pieces will give you more space for your day-to-day functions, and can still serve as a comfortable spot for your guests to rests their tired heads…and bodies. Trust us, these pieces have come a long way in the past years, and can be surprisingly stylish, easy to use, and comfortable. Of course, a desk and chair move up from the “nice to have” to the “must have” list for guest bedroom/home office.
• Guest Bedroom + Home Gym – Get your fitness on and have a place to hosts guests by pairing these two spaces into a single, double-duty room. Again, you may consider a futon, daybed or sleeper-couch instead of standard beds for a guest bedroom/home gym. You can also select gym equipment that is easy to fold up and push to the side as needed. Another option is to invest in a room divider or screen that can hide your home gym equipment when not in use.
• Guest Bedroom + She Space – There are a few things to keep in mind if your guest bedroom is also your woman-cave/indoor she-shed/hobby room/craft room or other space dedicated to the lady of the house. One thing is storage. If you have a lot of hobby supplies, you’ll want storage—from a chest of drawers to storage ottomans—to help you stay organized and also make your space more presentable when you are hosting an overnighter. You may even consider a bed with storage drawers underneath. Storage beds make a great option for master bedrooms and guest bedrooms alike, giving you the bed you need as well as plenty of storage without taking up additional floor space. You’ll also want to choose home accessories that you love, but are generic enough for a variety of guests to enjoy.
• Guest Bedroom + Man Cave – Sufficient storage and versatile décor are also important for guest rooms that are used by the man of the house. If your space will be used to watch movies or play games, you’ll also want a media console or entertainment unit that will hold your big screen and electronics; as well as comfortable seating. This is one time when a sofa sleeper is a must, as it provides comfortable seating for extended lounging; and converts into a bed when it’s needed.

As you can see, guest bedrooms aren’t one-size-fits all! That’s why it’s important to determine how your guest bedroom will be used—both by your guests and by your family when you aren’t hosting company. By determining your needs and examining your space, you can choose the guest bedroom furniture and home décor that will be both functional and fun—making your guest room (plus!) a space that’s sure to go a long way in making your house feel like a home!