Do your guests feel at home?

Your abode has the perfect niches for all your family members, which have been spruced up according to their tastes. But providing a separate space for guests is something you have thought about for a long time, but haven’t been able to get to it.

Has the thought of decorating it in a way that will suit varied tastes left you stumped? Do you worry about space issues? Or do you fret about being able to meet the tastes of your varied guests? Well, whatever the concern may be, it is possible to curate a room full of love, homely appeal and sophisticated elements to cater to everybody. Let’s look at the details.

First, the room should be comfortable. Contemplating some hotel room ideas? Great! But remember, the room needs to have that homely touch too. Plus, it must remain in sync with the decor and colour theme of at least the adjoining rooms, if not the whole house. Also, the decor shouldn’t suit only one gender or a specific age group. 

When it comes to the colour palette of the guest room, sticking to neutrals is a safe option. Picking pinks or greens might render it feminine. And going for black and dark tan shades may seem masculine and drab. Splashes of bright hues like yellow will delight kids or teens only. So, stay in the safe zone with beige, cream or white. Select a colour that’s in tandem with at least one of the rooms in the house. However, since relaxation is the norm for a guest room, tranquil tints of blue or cool blues are recommended. Warm colours like bright red aren’t advisable since these energise rather than relax. But you can brighten the room with suitable accents.

Cosy nook

The most important guest room feature is undoubtedly the bed. And it should be comfortable. Everything from the mattress to the pillows and bed linen should be cosy. Provide different layers of sheets for the night, so that your guests can pick as many or as few, as the temperature demands. Twin beds are a better bet than one king- or queen-sized bed, as you may have many guests sleeping over. This allows flexibility since the beds can be pushed together to make a single sleeping space, if and when required. An upholstered headboard facilitates comfy reading, browsing and working on the laptop in bed.

If it’s a small room, push the bed’s head towards the wall. Avoid placing it right next to a window and squeezing a seat in the space between the wall and the bed on the other side. This will only make the space look cramped. If space permits, throw in a daybed too, so that it can double as a bed at night for small-sized guests. Throw pillows may not be utilitarian, but when chosen in colours that contrast with the guest room’s wall colour, they can serve as pretty accents. A throw rug serves both utilitarian and aesthetic purposes. It lends warmth and softens the look.

A night table beside the bed to hold a water jug and a tumbler is mandatory. A glass-top nightstand prevents stains left behind by water glasses — an undesirable feature of wooden surfaces. To add to the charm of the room, place an ornate table lamp too. Else, fix a sconce with a dim light over the night table to render easier movement in the dark. A chandelier whose design and colour gels with the room’s decor theme or a contemporary overhead light is another lighting fixture that could be added to the room. A power strip with multiple outlets plugged on to the main power switch allows guests to charge their various devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets simultaneously.

Necessities

A closet with empty shelves and hangers is a must for storage. Keep extra sheets,
towels and bathrobes in the lower shelves. If you do have the luxury of space, think of bringing in a sofa, lounge chair, ottoman and maybe even a bookshelf with a variety of reading options. But, yes, a dressing table with a long mirror and drawers to contain the guests’ toiletries is an absolute essential. Keep the latest magazines or newspapers on a writing desk. If the guest room has an attached bathroom, ensure that it has enough conveniences. If it opens out to a balcony, deck the space with plants, artwork, wall sconces, recliners, etc.

A large mirror on one of the walls helps create a semblance of spaciousness. An artwork on a wall besides a vase to hold fresh or artificial flowers and an artefact on the writing desk heighten the overall aesthetics. An analogue clock in an interesting design and an indoor plant or two bolster the beauty of the space. Hang both sheer curtains and heavy drapes on windows, so that the guests could choose what they want.

For those who can’t afford to dedicate an entire room for guests, there is another option. They could use the room as their working space or even as a home office. But ensure your guests’ comfort despite the dual role their room plays by avoiding stacking of papers in the home office and removing your personal belongings from the closet when they arrive. If it’s a loft or basement, do all you can to prevent it from appearing dingy. Lend an airy look to the space.

So, are you ready to entertain some guests at your lovely abode now?