Making guests welcome
Design experts suggest how to provide comfort
Jessica Ann McCarthy, creative director of the digital design firm Decorist, joined The Washington Post’s Home Front online chat and offered guest room refresh tips. Here is an edited excerpt.
Q: Some of my relatives expect a full set of drawers and ample closet space when they visit. What do you think is a reasonable amount of storage space in a guest room?
A: I think you should always provide at least one drawer and five hangers for your guests. You can even buy hangers on which you can hang multiple shirts or pants/skirts.
Q: I want my guests to feel right at home. What are some of your favorite personal touches for a guest room?
A: Providing smart technology around the room is a great way to make your guests feel at home. For example, add phone chargers on either side of the bed, a sound machine to drown out noise, an air purifier or even an iPad for your guests to check emails and browse the Internet when they wake up.
Q: What do you do if you don’t have a guest room?
A: Even if you don’t have a guest room, there are ways to provide comfort anywhere in your home. For example, you can purchase a sleeper sofa for your living room and provide your guests with fresh linens and towels.
Q: The closet in my guest room is packed with all my offseason apparel. Should I try to make room for my guests’ clothes in the closet or do you have any clever ideas as to where my guests can stash their things?
A: I think in general it is great idea to store offseason apparel under your bed in bins rather than in drawers or your closet where the space is really valuable. You can get many sizes and shapes for under-the-bed bins.
Q: Our guest room is pretty bare. What are some touches you would recommend to make guests feel extra welcome or comfortable?
A: When I designed the guest room for the Real Simple Home, I made sure to have a glass and carafe on the side table (in my mind, it’s a must). I also love fresh flowers and leaving a few of my favorite books out for my guests to enjoy. I also provide fresh linens, towels and robes. None of these items are
expensive but will instantly make your space feel like a luxury hotel.
Q: I’m looking to paint my guest bedroom. I want something that’s gender-neutral and makes an impact. Can you recommend some of your favorite paint colors? Should I paint all four walls or focus on one wall only?
A: With guest bedrooms, I always recommend tones of gray, blue or lavender to create a calming feel. If you’re painting your entire space, I love soothing paint colors such as Farrow & Ball’s Elephant’s Breath, Cornforth White and Lamp Room Gray. If you choose to go for a deeper or darker tone, I recommend one accent wall behind your bed to create impact without overwhelming the space.
Q: As a guest, when I leave, should I take the sheets off the bed, make the bed or ask my host what to do with the sheets?
A: I always strip the bed and leave the bedding on top of the mattress. This is also a good lesson: When creating a guest room, always provide your guests with a hamper.
Q: I think a luggage rack is a must in a guest room; otherwise they are
left to root through their suitcase on the floor and it’s a mess. Do you agree?
A: I completely agree! I love the idea of a stylish acrylic luggage rack, a multifunctional luggage rack or a vintage luggage rack.
Q: My bathroom is a light mint green and does not pair well with my towels or shower curtain, which are both lavender. Should I try to repaint or is there any intermediate step I can take? The trim is white.
A: First, decide which you like more: the paint color or the accessories in the space. Once you decide, I would either repaint or replace your towels and shower curtains. I would consider repainting your space in a neutral color so over time you can switch out the accessories without feeling stuck again. For an easy paint color, I recommend Benjamin Moore’s Simply White. It’s a beautiful and warm shade of white that will contrast with your existing bright white trim and will go with any color accessories you decide to choose.
Q: We don’t have a spare room to dedicate solely to guest space, just an office that we can move an extra-large twin (or two extra-large twins) into. I always feel
a little bad that it’s not exactly a relaxing retreat space. Do you have any advice on how to make the space feel more homey?
A: This is a common issue. If you have the space, purchase a decorative screen to divide the guest area from the rest of your space. I would also add a side table, phone charger, table lamp and beautiful linens to create a luxurious feel.
Q: I have one bathroom that I share with guests. I always provide them with towels but struggle with where everyone is hanging them. I tend to bring mine into my room
so that the guests can use the towel racks. Do you have a better idea?
A: I like brass towel racks that can sit on your floor and hold multiple towels at once without taking up wall space.
Q: Any high-quality, inexpensive furniture recommendations?
A: My favorite resource for inexpensive yet highquality furniture is Cost Plus World Market because they have a great selection of furniture, area rugs, storage options, towels and bedding. I also love sourcing vintage pieces from Chairish or flea markets to add a fun twist to a space without breaking the bank.