Despite being such a special room, reserved for friends and loved ones on holidays and other special occasions, guest bedrooms are often overlooked when it comes to decor and comfort.
Statistics show, for instance, that homeowners typically spend the most on their kitchens ($10,000 to $30,000) and master bathrooms ($6,000 to $50,000), followed by rooms such as their basements, bathrooms, and living rooms.
Because guest bedrooms are usually your loved ones’ home away from home for a limited time, it makes sense to take your inspiration from boutique hotels, which are specifically designed to make visitors feel relaxed and pampered from the moment they arrive.
Your dream guest space won’t require a huge budget, just a bit of thoughtful design and, of course, attention to the tiny details.
Beginning with an Inviting Bed
When you arrive at a hotel, is one of the first things you do to sit on the bed to check its support and bedding? It’s only logical to equate a great bed with relaxation; enjoying a few days off is difficult without a supportive mattress and quality pillows with just the right firmness.
To cater to most of your guests’ needs, choose medium-firm mattresses and invest in a few different pillow options if you wish to create a pillow menu for your loved ones. The right bed frames, meanwhile, can also make or break the inviting ambiance of guest rooms.
For a warm, cozy feel, a bed frame in natural wood is ideal, while lacquered wood or metal can work best for a more contemporary feel. For ultimate comfort, top your bed with a plush duvet suited to the season and make the bed tight with crisp cotton or linen sheets.
Finally, pair the bed with an upholstered or wooden headboard so guests can read or use their tablets or phones with ease.
Layering Bedding
Hotel beds typically have various layers, which add to their weight and sense of luxury. To recreate their effect, start with high-thread-count sheets, then a quilt or coverlet, and finally a throw blanket. Boost the visual appeal with a few decorative cushions and a folded blanket at the foot of the bed.
Aim to keep texture in mind, opting for soft yet sturdy fabrics that will last for many years while still feeling soft to the touch.
Choosing a Calm, Welcoming Color Palette
The psychology of color shows that some hues (including sage green, muted blue, and sand and stone) are particularly conducive to rest, while others (such as orange, yellow, and red) are more energizing.
Logically, boutique hotels typically opt for the former, choosing neutral shades to create tranquil, timeless backdrops that stand the test of time. Choosing calming shades does not mean your guest bedroom has to be lifeless or boring.
You can provide eye-catching pops of color with decorative items and accessories, such as cushions, artwork, or furniture pieces like a statement chair or a pot for a corner plant.
Letting the Light In
Lighting can completely transform a space, lending it an airy, mysterious, or cozy feel. To ensure your guests have enough light to read and get ready, illuminate their room with LED bulbs, matching bedside lamps, and mirror lights.
A great way to up the cozy factor is to employ dimmable lighting. To ensure your guests get a great night’s sleep, meanwhile, use blackout curtains combined with sheer curtains. Darkness is considered vital for top-quality sleep, so the aim is to keep the room flooded with natural light during the day and pitch-black at night, if possible.
Providing Enough Storage and Adding Meaningful Touches
Guests will feel at home if you provide them with a big enough wardrobe, empty drawers, and a luggage rack or bench.
Additional storage furniture, such as bedside tables, will ensure that smaller items, such as phone chargers, are easily accessible yet neatly stored when not in use. Additionally, please your guests with small but useful touches such as a carafe of water and glasses, fresh flowers or plants, local guidebooks or magazines, toiletries, and a full-length mirror.
Think of the things you miss from home when you are staying at a hotel, or of the amenities that boutique hotels usually offer you, and aim to do the same for your guests.
Boutique hotels have a unique ability to make guests feel at home. To instill the same feeling in your guests, choose a calming color palette for their bedroom and decorate it with soothing accents, and provide them with the storage space they need to keep their clothing and accessories. Add a few finishing touches to elevate their space and make them feel not only rested but also pampered and cared for.
