8 Guest Bedroom Ideas That Tell Visitors 'We're Glad You're Here'

Nothing says welcome and we’re glad you’re here more than fresh flowers. Fill a vase with flowers from your garden or place some house plants in the room. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes your guests feel special. Plants and fresh flowers keep a guest room from feeling like a forgotten spare room.

Make sure your guest room covers the small, practical details. Include a bedside table for guests to place a book, phone or glass of water. Add a table lamp as a soft alternative to the overhead light that encourages them to relax and read in bed. A functional guest room makes visitors feel at home because they can spread out and settle in.

If you have space, add seating in your guest bedroom. Having their own seating area gives guests a private place to chill out without intruding on your space. Consider an accent chair, a pair of armchairs or a loveseat. If you can, add an end table to give them a place to put a cup of coffee while they lounge.

A guest bedroom’s main job is providing a comfortable place for guests to sleep – and nothing promotes good sleep like blackout curtains. They’re especially helpful for jet-lagged guests adjusting their body clocks and encouraging a nap in the middle of the day.

Of course, you need a bed in a guest room but many of us can’t dedicate a whole separate room that’s just for overnight visitors. If your guest room has a day job as your office, install a murphy bed, sleeper sofa, sleeper chair or futon. Fold it out when you have guests and fold it up when they’re gone.

Add cozy details to make a guest room feel more restful. Extra pillows and throw pillows let your guests customize their sleep experience. Stash cozy blankets and throws in the room in case they get cold. Pillows and throws add texture to a guest room, so they’re pretty as well as practical.

Provide some storage for your guests. Place a bench or luggage rack where they can set their suitcase and other belongings, a dresser for their clothes or a tray for corralling their keys and phone. Guests feel at home if there are surfaces and storage for their belongings. No one wants to pile their belongings on the floor, no matter how brief the stay.

Hang a full-length mirror or lean one against a wall so your guests can check their outfit before heading out into the world. Houseguests appreciate having a mirror when they’re living out of a suitcase. A mirror on the wall also makes the guest room feel larger.