Be Our Guest

Pretty pastels are the perfect path to a guest room that is comforting, because comfort is the ultimate luxury!  Naturally, there is a bit of anxiety when a guest arrives to occupy a room in another’s home. For this reason, the moment the door opens to their retreat, all anxieties should vanish. This area should be charming, as well as functional. It should make the visitor feel important and welcome.
Besides the obvious furnishings, certain small details are instrumental. A bowl of fruit, a small floral bouquet, inexpensive stationary, a fluffy robe, and a luggage rack are just a few items that help say “Welcome to our home.” When deciding on paint, choose a high-gloss white trim and a pastel wall color. The ceiling can be a softer shade of the same pastel. A nice mattress attached to a linen headboard and covered in a luxurious down comforter enclosed in a printed duvet creates the feeling of comfort.  A few decorative toss pillows and pretty sheets complete the look and feel. Keep the room simple and uncluttered. Perhaps stay a night in the room before guests arrive to make sure all the bases are covered. This will guarantee that the guest feels loved and welcome.

– Marsha Yessick, ASID, NCIDQ, Yessick’s Design Studio

“I like to have small surprises for my guests: a wrapped gift waiting on the bed (usually
a book I know they will love), and a bouquet of fresh flowers are a must for any guest room.”
– Cris Angsten, GreenTech Homes and Element Interior Design

The bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom and a guest bedroom is no different. If your guest bedroom is the land of leftovers and hand-me-downs, now is the time to pull things together. A great set of bed coverings and pillows is an excellent place to start. You don’t have to have custom bedding to have a wonderful look. There are lots of ready-made bed sets that look fantastic. If you’ve neglected the bed linens, now is a terrific time to invest in 400 thread count, or higher, sheets. It’s these luxurious touches that make your guests feel special.
To make your guests truly comfortable, be sure to include a comfortable chair for reading. If you have the space, a small table that can act as a desk will give them an area for their laptop or can act as a small makeup vanity. If your guest room has wood floors, this is a great time to add a new rug that will coordinate with your new bedding and color scheme. A new paint color on the walls, if time permits, can complete your room transformation.
Nothing is more inviting and gracious than fresh flowers placed in the room for your guests’ arrival, along with a note expressing how much you are looking forward to their stay. As a finishing touch, consider placing a favorite photo of you and your guest as a remembrance of past good times.

– Haskell Matheny, ASID, CAPS, Haskell Interiors

When I think guest room, I think of bringing all the niceties of a hotel room to my house’s guest space. A clock is a nice touch, but make sure it’s quiet, as I’ve found that some tick too loudly. A decanter of water with a glass is great, flowers are always welcoming, and I think candles are a must. Place folded towels on the bed, and have a throw resting there too. The right pillow is very important, so have both a down pillow and a foam pillow available for your guests to choose from. Also make sure there’s space in the closet to hang things. Just be careful—they may not want to leave!
– Kim Campbell, Chattanooga Closet Company

Guest rooms are fun to do because you can do something totally different from the rest of the house if you want. I think the room should be luxurious and have a great chair with a throw, along with flowers and tiny chocolates. Make sure to incorporate nice linens on the bed, as well as fluffy towels and good soaps and gels in the bathroom. The colors should be restful and cozy so it feels good to be there.

– Dolores Wolfe, IDS, Wolfe Studio Interiors

When it comes to guest rooms, it’s all about carefully selected layers and textures. I like to layer the bed linens so guests can be as warm or cool as they wish. This calls for a mixture of quality throws, warmer duvets, and a simple but elegant quilted blanket as the base. Offer a few types of pillows, from firm to fluffy. Don’t go crazy with accent pillows, but do have a couple of large ones for comfortable reading. Layer the windows as well: lighter curtains to welcome the sunshine and a blackout layer for those who like to sleep in.
Whatever your style, it’s all about the details! I like to have small surprises for my guests: a wrapped gift waiting on the bed (usually a book I know they will love), and a bouquet of fresh flowers are a must for any guest room. Small details like handmade soap from the farmer’s market, a decanter of water on the nightstand, extra fluffy towels, and a variety of blankets all folded just so say “welcome.” Also, I generally have a new favorite cocktail that can be made in a moment to start their stay off right.
– Cris Angsten, GreenTech Homes and Element Interior Design

Create a relaxing mood with a soothing color palette. Soft blues and greens are tranquil and inviting. Pay attention to the textiles you incorporate. The most important thing you can provide for your guests is comfort! Start with high thread count sheets and add extra blankets and pillows. Place a night stand by the bed with a lamp for reading and a basket of books and magazines to help them unwind at the end of the day. Finally, a vase of fresh cut flowers will add color and life to the room and will make your guests feel pampered!
– Kimberly Lemmon, Green Room Interiors