insight

Creating a guest bedroom

Even the most modest of spaces can serve as a comfortable guest room, and clever use of furniture allows for study and storage areas, too. Opt for a cohesive decorative scheme with hard-working furniture and you won’t look back.

Forward planning

Creating a guest bedroom that’s both appealing and practical starts with good spatial planning. This is particularly important if you are creating a room that will serve several purposes, whether as a study, informal dressing room or an additional clothes space. Once you’ve covered all the functions of the room, you can plan the furniture placement.

Daybeds or truckle beds are a great option for rooms that host occasional visitors. Choose multifunctional pieces, such as a desk that can double as a dressing table, or a lidded ottoman to provide handy occasional seating as well as an invaluable place to keep linens and clothes. Window seats that conceal storage are another good choice. If the room is used solely as a guest room, consider two single beds combined with vibrantly upholstered, generously sized headboards to add a sense of symmetry and scale, as well as allowing for flexible sleeping arrangements when visitors stay. In a small space, create cohesion with decorative accents – try finishing your headboards, curtains or rugs in identical trims for a smart look.

Add a little luxe

Making a space feel luxurious is all in the detail. Anticipate the needs of visitors by incorporating touches that will turn a guest room into a welcoming home from home. If you can, include a full-length mirror, fitted on the inside of cabinetry or the back of a door where space is tight, while an ornate wall-hung option creates a decorative accent.

Finally, a few personal touches will ensure a warm welcome – add reading material, a carafe of water, fresh linens, a sleep mask, earplugs and flowers.