MAKE A HOUSE A HOME

Create a comfortable and cosy haven for visiting friends and family with these thoughtful finishing touches

Create a cosy haven for guests

THE FIVE-STAR EXPERIENCE

Bring some boutique hotel flair to the basics. Place folded towels at the end of the bed, stack the pillows against the headboard, adding a decorative boudoir cushion, and layer on a beautiful quilt or blanket. Create a giftable welcome pack – it could include beauty goodies, slippers, a sleep spray and an eye mask. Finally, treat the senses with a gorgeous scented candle or diffuser.

ADD LUXURY IN LAYERS

White sheets not only give a fresh, welcoming finish, they’re a great base for layering on colourful or patterned throws and cushions, too. A 300-thread count is the ideal match to hotel-style quality. Give a couple of pillow options, firm and soft, and top a medium-tog duvet with a throw for the option of added warmth. For ultimate comfort, add a mattress topper from the Wool Room.

TRANSFORM A WORKSPACE

Spare rooms often double up as home offices, so rather than a typical desk, choose a versatile piece that will also work as a dressing table. A slender-framed shape in natural oak will blend seamlessly into a bedroom, while a free-standing mirror that can be moved out of the way makes it a practical choice for working, too.

WORK IN WALL STORAGE

Hooks provide the perfect spot for a robe or a couple of hangers and may be all you need for clothes storage if visitors tend to stay only for the weekend. Tap into the trend for naturals with rattan or bamboo, or create a feature by positioning a row of Shaker pegs along one wall, painted in the same colour for a seamless blend.

CREATE A CLUTTER-FREE SPACE

This multi-use mirror incorporates clever hidden storage – a striking space-saver for rooms that are too small for a wardrobe. If your spare room also functions as overflow storage, find beautiful, easyaccess solutions to keep clutter out of sight when visitors stay. Blanket boxes or ottomans can sit at the end of the bed or under a window, baskets can hold towels or throws and under-the-bed drawers are ideal for out-of-season clothes.

EXTRA SPECIAL Veiros bathrobe, £69, Urbanara. Single British sheepskin taupe, £62.99, Wool Room. Sandalwood & Oud refillable diffuser, £35, Brownstone London

Extra-long green and berry garland, £125; large glass pine cone, £8; Ambrose bed linen, from £60; luxury wool cashmere check throw, £170; Audley conical light, £195; Breakfast in bed tray, £65; carafe and tumbler set, £35, all The White Company

Bergen oak dressing table, £450; sheepskin dressing table stool, £300; Bergen oak dressing table mirror, £175, all Cox & Cox

Rattan hanging rack, £29.99, H&M Home

PAMPER PARTY This Works Deep Sleep pillow spray, £19.50, M&S. Mulberry silk blackout masks, £10 each, Soak & Sleep. Estuary stacking basket, £14, Argos. Printed velvet double bedspread, £135, Oliver Bonas

Solna floor-standing mirror, £295; large sisal and leather basket, £105; reversible sheepskin and leather rug, £225, all Nordic House