10 Thoughtful Touches You Can Add to a Guest Bedroom
Go above and beyond for your house guests with these simple tips
Having moved interstate to Melbourne several years ago, and with some family and friends living abroad, we regularly welcome friends and guests to stay with us in our guest bedroom. I love hosting friends and family, being able to share our space and spend time with them, especially when our time apart can be quite long. However, a common problem with spare bedrooms is they too often become dumping grounds, prone to clutter and mess. Transforming the space, so as to make sure your guests are comfortable, is often necessary. Next time you welcome guests into your home, treat the bedroom much like a boutique hotel – personal, individual and eclectic. Simple little details can really make your guests feel welcome and at home.
These thoughtful details are a great place to start and are the key to a truly memorable stay for your guests.
These thoughtful details are a great place to start and are the key to a truly memorable stay for your guests.
2. Provide reading material
Holiday reading material is a must to help your guests relax and take a load off. Whether it is a few neatly styled books on the bedside table, a library of classics and novels on the shelves or some recent magazines for light reading, have something for your guests to browse. Whether they are suffering from jet lag, or simply want to unwind, providing reading material is a thoughtful touch that mirrors that of a boutique hotel. So easy, so simple!
Holiday reading material is a must to help your guests relax and take a load off. Whether it is a few neatly styled books on the bedside table, a library of classics and novels on the shelves or some recent magazines for light reading, have something for your guests to browse. Whether they are suffering from jet lag, or simply want to unwind, providing reading material is a thoughtful touch that mirrors that of a boutique hotel. So easy, so simple!
Fresh flowers finish off an interior scheme and is a simple way of getting that stylist touch.
Try colour coordinating your flowers to the linen or colour scheme of the room, or provide contrast with a bright pop of colour in an otherwise neutral scheme. There are no real rules, just pick your favourite and arrange them however you like.
Try colour coordinating your flowers to the linen or colour scheme of the room, or provide contrast with a bright pop of colour in an otherwise neutral scheme. There are no real rules, just pick your favourite and arrange them however you like.
4. Provide tea and coffee
A thoughtful little touch is providing tea and coffee to your house guests. You can do this on a food tray and place it on the bed for when guests arrive, or set up a little station in the room on a dresser or side table. It really is the thought that counts – it just lets your guests know you’re thinking of them and their needs.
A thoughtful little touch is providing tea and coffee to your house guests. You can do this on a food tray and place it on the bed for when guests arrive, or set up a little station in the room on a dresser or side table. It really is the thought that counts – it just lets your guests know you’re thinking of them and their needs.
You could also offer little condiments and snacks within the room in a form of a hamper, or little chocolates on their pillow in the evenings. You could even go as far as offering a turndown service – I guess it depends how much you love your house guests!
5. Make sure the wall socket is accessible
Unless you want guests clambering underneath the bed to try and find a place to plug in their phones, it’s important to keep the socket in reach … or at least let them know where it is. I always keep an international adaptor, spare chargers and plugs at hand for staying guests. These can be kept neatly in a little bag placed in a bedside or dresser drawer. Add a little note alongside your WiFi password stating where they are kept. This is always something traveling guests request, whether it be interstate or international. Think of convenience when being thoughtful – guests want to relax and enjoy their time with you, so the less hassle and running around for you and for them, the better.
Unless you want guests clambering underneath the bed to try and find a place to plug in their phones, it’s important to keep the socket in reach … or at least let them know where it is. I always keep an international adaptor, spare chargers and plugs at hand for staying guests. These can be kept neatly in a little bag placed in a bedside or dresser drawer. Add a little note alongside your WiFi password stating where they are kept. This is always something traveling guests request, whether it be interstate or international. Think of convenience when being thoughtful – guests want to relax and enjoy their time with you, so the less hassle and running around for you and for them, the better.
6. Provide hanging space
It’s always nice to not have to live out of your suitcase when on vacation, so give your guests the opportunity to hang their clothes. Clear out a section of the wardrobe and provide some empty hangers and even a shoe rack – just like in a fancy boutique hotel.
It’s always nice to not have to live out of your suitcase when on vacation, so give your guests the opportunity to hang their clothes. Clear out a section of the wardrobe and provide some empty hangers and even a shoe rack – just like in a fancy boutique hotel.
7. Don’t skimp on the linens
The heart of any bedroom should be the bed, and if you are drawing inspiration from boutique hotel bedrooms, you should ensure it is comfortable and plush! Use the best linen you can afford – your guests will appreciate it – and style with scatter cushions and the larger Euro cushions.
QUICK TIP: White linen always provides a fresh, hotel feel. Choose a thread count with at least 300 and above so the sheets aren’t scratchy and uncomfortable. Also bear in mind seasonal changes – so add a nice throw rug and extra layering during the cooler months and switch the doona insert to a breathable, lighter version during the summer months.
Guests will be tired from sightseeing, travel and spending time with you, so make the bedroom a haven and one they can feel at home and relaxed in.
Read more: Freshen Up Your Bed for Feel-Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
The heart of any bedroom should be the bed, and if you are drawing inspiration from boutique hotel bedrooms, you should ensure it is comfortable and plush! Use the best linen you can afford – your guests will appreciate it – and style with scatter cushions and the larger Euro cushions.
QUICK TIP: White linen always provides a fresh, hotel feel. Choose a thread count with at least 300 and above so the sheets aren’t scratchy and uncomfortable. Also bear in mind seasonal changes – so add a nice throw rug and extra layering during the cooler months and switch the doona insert to a breathable, lighter version during the summer months.
Guests will be tired from sightseeing, travel and spending time with you, so make the bedroom a haven and one they can feel at home and relaxed in.
Read more: Freshen Up Your Bed for Feel-Good Tidings of Comfort and Joy
8. Set up a cosmetics station
Why don’t you consider setting up a cosmetic station within the guest bedroom? Start with an interesting tray and collect small containers from around your home, or local thrift store – try mixing and matching old vintage bottles and vases.
Fill them with fresh floral moisturisers, ear buds and face wipes, and include some perfume and a beautiful scented candle. Be inventive – think of little things your guests may need during their stay.
Read more: 10 Ways to Set Up a Blissful Bathroom Pamper Zone
Why don’t you consider setting up a cosmetic station within the guest bedroom? Start with an interesting tray and collect small containers from around your home, or local thrift store – try mixing and matching old vintage bottles and vases.
Fill them with fresh floral moisturisers, ear buds and face wipes, and include some perfume and a beautiful scented candle. Be inventive – think of little things your guests may need during their stay.
Read more: 10 Ways to Set Up a Blissful Bathroom Pamper Zone
9. Add task lighting
When you are on vacation, a light spot of reading is often a favourite past time to relax and unwind, so lighting by the bedside is a must. Boutique hotels always have bedside lamps or lighting within easy reach, so make sure you do the same for your guests.
When you are on vacation, a light spot of reading is often a favourite past time to relax and unwind, so lighting by the bedside is a must. Boutique hotels always have bedside lamps or lighting within easy reach, so make sure you do the same for your guests.
10. Hang artwork
Every boutique hotel room has artwork hanging on the wall. The artwork helps to bring the scheme together, forming a focal or ‘talking’ point of the room. Try this out in your guest bedroom – you will be surprised how finished the room will look.
Play around with placement. First, decide on where the bed will sit, then, depending on the artwork size, hang one or a series of works within the room – think above the bed, above bedside tables or on a blank wall. Decide what wall you would like to become the feature – the artwork will dictate this.
Every boutique hotel room has artwork hanging on the wall. The artwork helps to bring the scheme together, forming a focal or ‘talking’ point of the room. Try this out in your guest bedroom – you will be surprised how finished the room will look.
Play around with placement. First, decide on where the bed will sit, then, depending on the artwork size, hang one or a series of works within the room – think above the bed, above bedside tables or on a blank wall. Decide what wall you would like to become the feature – the artwork will dictate this.
And remember, add your personality!
Mirroring the style of boutique hotels, you want to incorporate a sense of individuality and fun. No boring, beige rooms! Make your guest bedroom an extension of your home, so include personal touches, but no, not a picture of you and your partner on the mantle, that may be a little odd! Include little mementos or curios that is an extension of your family.
Remember your house guests are staying with ‘you, so make them feel at home and like they are a part of your family. Opening up your home can be a delight and with these simple little details you can be sure to bring a smile to your guests faces. They won’t want to check out!
TELL US
Do you have guests stay with you? What are some special things you do for them? Share with us your ideas in the Comments.
MORE ENTERTAINING TIPS
How to Be the Perfect Host For Overnight Guests
Transform Your Guest Room Into a Relaxing Retreat
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
Mirroring the style of boutique hotels, you want to incorporate a sense of individuality and fun. No boring, beige rooms! Make your guest bedroom an extension of your home, so include personal touches, but no, not a picture of you and your partner on the mantle, that may be a little odd! Include little mementos or curios that is an extension of your family.
Remember your house guests are staying with ‘you, so make them feel at home and like they are a part of your family. Opening up your home can be a delight and with these simple little details you can be sure to bring a smile to your guests faces. They won’t want to check out!
TELL US
Do you have guests stay with you? What are some special things you do for them? Share with us your ideas in the Comments.
MORE ENTERTAINING TIPS
How to Be the Perfect Host For Overnight Guests
Transform Your Guest Room Into a Relaxing Retreat
10 Dinner Party Dos and Don’ts for Guests and Hosts
Provide your WiFi password for your guests so they can enjoy hassle-free connection. Offering your internet connection is a thoughtful gesture, and having it in the room ready-to-go avoids your guests having to ask for it.
Handwrite the password on a nice piece of writing paper, on a card on the dresser or bedside table, or print one out and give it to your house guests when they ‘check in’.