How to Create an Inviting Guest Room

Who doesn't want a guest room that people love to stay in? Maybe it's just my Southern hospitality, but I love a good guest room. Even when looking at houses, having a guest room is top priority for both Mal and I (Cassidy). One thing I love about the house were are in now is that you can see the guest room from the main living space-- so I wanted it to be a pretty and inviting space even from a distance.

Link to everything that I could find can be found here, but note that the majority of the pieces in this room were found at antique/thrift store or were purchased years ago.

Tips to Create an Inviting Guest Room

1.Choosing a Guest Room

Typically everyone has multiple rooms that they can choose from for their guest bedroom. For my home, there are two rooms other than our master bedrooms. One in the back of the house and one in the front. I chose the one in the front of the house because it can be seen from the main living space. That way, guests feel more separate from our bedroom, are closer to the guest bathroom, and can see their room as soon as they enter the home.

2. Bed Placement

When placing and determining the furniture for any bedroom, you want the bed to be placed on the wall that is typically facing the door and not blocking any windows. Because this room can be seen from our main living space, I wanted the bed to be placed as a focal point of the room. Thing about not just what makes sense in the room, but what the space looks like from other spaces in your home. In order to create an inviting guest room, bed placement is key.

3. Practical Furniture

With a guest room, I think it's easy to worry more about decorating than practicality for a guest. Because it's not a room that we personally use on a daily basis, we can forget about the functional elements of the room for our guests. I like to include a nightstand, empty dresser and lamps for guests. All things that I would want in my own bedroom. Even as a guest, you want: (1) a place to set things next to your bed, (2) a place to store clothes if needed and (3) easy access to a light that you can turn on and off from bed. Also, consider things like outlet placement. Your guest will want access to an outlet at night to charge their phone.

4. Cozy and Comfortable Decor

Who wants to stay in a guest room that's uncomfortable? No one. We all have those relatives that we dread staying at their houses because their beds are some uncomfortable or the bedding is itchy. I personally love memory foam mattresses-- especially for guests. The link to the one we bought on amazon can be found here. I also like to include comfortable sheets, pillows and comforters. It's easy to go "cheap" when purchasing for a guest bedroom-- but honestly the bedding will get used so rarely that it will last for much longer than your personal bedding. So try to find bedding that you personally would use.

5. Finishing Touches

Those little finishing touches are what will take your guest bedroom to the next level. The pretty decor and considerate amenities are key. Just because it's a guest room doesn't mean you can't decorate it. Include wall decor, picture frames, vases of flowers, etc. Another thing that I love to include is this hanging rack. It's perfect for guests because they can have a place to either set their suitcase (on the bottom shelf) and hang up their clothes. Link to the hanging rack can be found here. I often will include a little laundry basket as well because I always hate when I am traveling and have to ball my dirty clothes up in the corner. I like to also include a basket with towels and water as a final finishing touch to make our guests feel most welcome!