Simple steps to spare room success

The guest bedroom – or ‘spare’ – isn’t necessarily the most well-kept room of the house. If you’re lucky enough to have one, it’s probably either a dumping ground or used as extra storage space most of the year – meaning a mad dash to clear the clutter when visitors are booked in.

You can transform a neglected spare room into a space that’s inviting and stylish. Give it a little TLC, splurge on new bedding and perhaps a few fun – or luxury – little extras here and there, and you’ll have it looking (almost) as fabulous as a boutique hotel room, but with homely touches too.

Follow these five simple steps to styling the spare...

STEP 1: SLEEP LIKE A LOG

“Many people have no idea how comfortable their spare bed is, so I always suggest you ‘road test’ it to discover any lumps or bumps or comfort issues,” says Helen Johnson, from The Fine Bedding Company (finebedding.co.uk), which sells a washable Spundown range, including pillows and duvets, with items from £20.

“A new mattress enhancer or topper may be all that’s needed, which is cheaper than replacing a mattress but can mimic a new bed feel. Next, check care labels on filled duvets and pillows to see if they can be machinewashed at home. Feather and down duvets and those without guidance labels need to be professionally cleaned. Finally, give pillows and duvets a good shake before dressing the bed,” she adds, “to even out the filling and return their plumpness.”