There’s nothing more picturesque—or ideal—than having the family, both immediate and extended, crowded into the living room, jockeying for space on the comfiest of the couches while laughter and merry conversations flit around the room. And wonderful it is to have the family together any time of year. Some savor these days or weeks, while others worry about accommodations and giving their guests the most comfortable stay possible. So before you start mentally pairing off aunts, uncles and cousins with the living room pullout couch, the trundle bed in Bobby’s room and blow up mattresses stretched across any available floor space, why not think about updating your guest room?
A well put together guest room can make traveling enjoyable for all. Visitors feel like they are practically at home and you don’t have to worry about them feeling unwelcome or burdensome. Take a gander at some of these ideas to make your guest room as inviting as possible; after all, you should be enjoying the family time, too, not fretting over guests having enough blankets or storage space.
In terms of placement, try to position the bed—and accompanying bedside table—near an electrical outlet. With technology being so intricate in our daily lives, your guests will love having an outlet close at hand so they can charge their phone or tablet overnight.
If space allows, think about adding a cozy, overstuffed chair to the room. Visitors will appreciate having their own private space to retreat to for some alone time.
When choosing a television for a guest room, try selecting one that’s simple to operate. Avoid a set that requires multiple remotes in favor of one that can be easily manipulated from one device. In addition to a television, think about leaving a couple of books—in a variety of genres—on the armoire or bedside table for your guests to enjoy at their leisure.
With a rotating cast of characters, guest rooms are often hard to decorate, and while grandma might love powder pink walls, the same might not be true for Uncle Jim. Try going with a neutral color, soft cream or light gray. These types of colors can still be pleasing to any eye and add the kind of warmth that a stark white simply can’t. From there it’s simple to add color and excitement with the bedclothes: sheets, comforters, and pillows can easily be swapped out between guests. Throw pillows are an excellent way to showcase some personality. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, they can be smooth or flecked with sparkles, patterned or plain.
Adequate storage space is a big must-have for a guest room, with both dresser and closet space being preferred. There’s nothing more therapeutic than finally putting luggage away for a travel-weary person. Placing stacks of neatly folded clothes in a drawer and hanging up sweaters and bulky coats send a message that says “I’m settling in here for a while. This place is home.”
That closet is also a prime location for extra pillows and blankets. Have them at the ready so your guests don’t have to seek you out and request them just prior to bedtime.
Hang up a little wall art to make your guests feel even more at home. Tack up colorful works or vintage black and white photographs, depending on the design of your room; anything to give the space a little life. Family photos are always a good option, cheery ones of your latest trip to the beach or slightly grainy snapshots of long-gone relatives, and who knows, your guests might be thrilled to spot themselves in a few.