BE MY GUEST

A guest bedroom is a fantastic addition to any home… but when it comes to décor where do you start?

Space is often at a premium in the home. And if you’re fortunate to have a spare bedroom there are a million and one potential uses for it, everything from a study or playroom to a gym or home cinema. But having a guest room has its own benefits. Should you so desire, you could always bring in some extra income by renting it to a lodger or student. But you could simply keep it as a guest room, ready for visits from extended family or close friends. And should you decide to do so, I know of a few style hacks that will ensure your guests never want to leave.

HOTEL CHIC

Staying at a friend’s house isn’t quite the same as staying at a hotel – after all, no one expects room service – but there is nothing wrong with spoiling visitors with some luxurious touches.

By keeping the colour scheme simple – not clinical – you can really go to town on bedding and accessories. A beautiful bedside lamp, the bestquality bedding your budget will allow and some sumptuous towels in a beautiful wicker basket will all add to the boutique hotel feel. If the room is small, keeping the detail around the bed is essential.

Some inspirational coffee table books not only offer reading material but will bring a real focal point to any surface while a fabulous mirror could become the centrepiece of your dreams.

But the most important detail of all? A decent pair of curtains or black-out blinds to ensure nothing stops your guests from getting a full night of shut eye!

STORAGE SPACE

It’s fair to say most guest bedrooms are used sporadically, and there is the danger of the room becoming a dumping ground for clutter.

So storage is key. It goes without saying your guests will be bringing their baggage, quite literally, so they are going to need somewhere to stow it.

But if you’re going to invest in expensive furnishings make sure you put your needs – not those of your guests – first.

A small chest of drawers might be perfect for an overnight or weekend stay, but if you find other areas of your home becoming cluttered, why not invest in a larger unit or even a wardrobe and make use of the additional space yourself?

You can always leave a dedicated section for over-night guests and fill the rest with your own things.

And forget the sofa bed – opt for a divan with plenty of additional storage space.

FINISHING TOUCHES

What furnishings you have in your guest bedroom is completely dependent on space, but if room allows, an invitingly comfortable armchair would be top of my shopping list. Again, take inspiration from your favourite hotels and go for something bold that will truly add the wow factor.

If the room is just too tight for a chair, but you still want plenty of style, a statement piece of art or a cluster of graphic prints will add a stamp of character without taking up any floor space. Art is fabulously budget friendly too with pieces readily available at all price points.

Some fluffy scatter cushions to complement your furnishings and a vase full of fresh flowers are all the finishing touches you need to turn your tired spare room into a five-star guest suite.

A little thought and some perfect finishing touches can give guests the impression they are staying in a smart hotel

Choose some top quality bedding and add in a few scatter cushions If there’s room, an armchair is the grand finale

Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling

Throw some light on all the effort you’ve put in