20 Guest Bedroom Ideas for a Cozy and Welcoming Retreat
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Hosting guests at your house can help you fall in love with your space all over again. Maybe it has something to do with seeing your home through fresh eyes and finding a new appreciation for all the quirks and special touches that make it home. That said, the imminent arrival of loved ones—whether for a long weekend or holiday celebration—can also point out areas where your home is lacking, particularly when it comes to your guest bedroom ideas.
Ensuring your friends and family feel comfortable in your home comes down to more than just providing them with clean sheets and freshly laundered towels. A well-outfitted guest room should be cozy and welcoming, with plenty of creature comforts and design touches that make guests feel like you truly thought about their experience before their arrival. Even if you don't have an entire ensuite to dedicate to their stay, you can still make the most of whatever space you do have to make sure their stay is easy, comfortable, and welcoming.
Below, we're rounding up 20 thoughtful guest bedroom ideas that will guarantee guests love their stay in their home-away-from-home. From paint palettes that feel like a warm hug to accessories that make packing and unpacking easier, these considerate guest spaces will transform your abode into a getaway that rivals a top-tier resort—courtesy coffee included.
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Incorporate a Cozy Color Palette
Sleeping away from home can be uncomfortable for many, so you'll want to focus your guest bedroom ideas on elements that will promote coziness and comfort. One great way to bring those vibes? Through your color palette. Opt for moody or warm hues that feel like a big hug, like the brown-black (Char Brown by Benjamin Moore) seen here in a guest bedroom by Elaine Santos.
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Plan for Ample Shelving
Phones, laptops, glasses, a Kindle—it's pretty much impossible to "travel light" these days. To help your guests find a place for everything, add a slew of shelving to their sleep space, preferably close to the bed itself. In this home, designed by Winsome Interior Design, a stack of shelves tops each of the twin beds for an easy place to stash books, trinkets, tech, and more.
Put Out Fresh Flowers
Ahead of hosting guests for the weekend, you probably have a long checklist of tasks, from vacuuming the house to fluffing the bedding. One thing you shouldn't forget to do? Grab a bundle of blooms for the guest room. Fresh florals can bring life and a welcoming atmosphere to even the most bare-bones space. If you know your friend's favorite type of flower, opt for that—otherwise, a mixed bouquet, like the one seen in this guest bedroom idea by Liz Carroll, will be just as happy an accent.
Create a WFH Zone
With remote work more common than ever, chances are good that your guests will have to check in with the office or log onto their email at one point or another during their visit. Instead of forcing them to work from the kitchen table or perch on the bed with their laptop, incorporate a desk into the guest room for a dedicated WFH space. Here, the Winsome Interior Design team found a vintage piece that doubles as a nightstand for the nearby bed.
Sneak in Subtle Storage
Let's be honest, no one likes living out of a suitcase, no matter how good a packer they are. Help your guests get settled in for the duration of their stay—whether that's two days or two weeks—with a bevy of hidden storage options in your guest room. In this cozy guest bedroom idea, designer Amy Knerr of Of Place Studio opted for a built-in bed, surrounded by clever drawers and doors to hide all manner of necessities.
Add a Seating Nook
Everyone needs a little alone time—especially guests who are far from home and "living" in someone else's house. To ensure your loved one can sneak away for a bit of R & R whenever they need to, add a seating nook to their bedroom where they can scroll social media, make a phone call, or tuck into a book. In this home designed by Cecilia Casagrande, a handsome chair and coordinating ottoman offer the perfect spot to take five.
Highlight a Unique Feature
It may seem counterintuitive to dedicate one of the best rooms in your house to guests, but it's a logical choice if you want those visiting to enjoy all the charm your home has to offer. If you're starting from scratch and choosing a layout that works for your family, consider delegating a room with extra pizazz to visitors—you'll love hearing their reactions every time they enter the space. In this Kansas City home by Annie Kern Interiors, an intricate stained glass window gets pride of place in a bedroom.
Layer Your Lighting
Multiple sources of light—especially ambient lighting, like lamps and sconces—are key to any room feeling cozy, but that holds especially true when it comes to guest spaces. Layers of lighting will ensure their suite feels relaxing and intimate, and within-reach options (like a bedside sconce, seen here in a guest bedroom idea designed by Liz Bonesio Interiors) mean they won't have to get out of bed in the unfamiliar dark to flick a switch.
Double Up Your Drapery
Sleep preferences are like coffee orders; you never know how someone takes theirs. Instead of catering your guest room setup to a certain environment (like pitch-black darkness), look to flexible finishes that can be tweaked as needed. In this beachside bedroom by designer Brian Paquette, layered drapery allows guests to choose the exact amount of light that seeps into the space.
Lend a Bit of Privacy
Bunk rooms used to be for the under-12 set, but more designers are incorporating these versatile setups into homes to maximize the number of guests a single space can hold. To make the setup a bit more grown-up, opt for a full bed or larger and give each bunk a sense of privacy with custom drapery, like the striped curtains seen here in this guest bedroom idea by designer Ashley Gilbreath.
Hide a Bonus Bed
If your guest room has to flex between multiple uses—say, an office during the day and a sleep space at night—you should look to a hide-away bed to keep things neat and tidy. Trundle beds are a great option if you want to go a bit more custom than a pull-out couch—the version seen here in a room by French & French Interiors is disguised by latticework, mimicking the look of a cozy window seat when not in use.
Go Bold With Pattern
Because a guest room isn't necessarily the most highly trafficked space in your home, it can be a great place to get a little loose with your design scheme. When dreaming up guest bedroom ideas, feel free to be more playful with color, pattern, or accessories to create a standalone escape that will thrill guests and residents alike. In this guest room by Winsome Interior Design, playful wallpaper from Lake August pairs with a springy green accent hue for a memorable retreat.
Designate a Spot for Luggage
To design an effective guest bedroom idea, take a hint from the amenities most hotel rooms provide. While custom robes and in-room coffee machines are a luxe touch, certain essentials—like a bench to put luggage on—are a must. Here, the team at E&A Interiors finished each guest bed with a bamboo luggage rack to lend a vacation-ready feel.
Incorporate Subtle Texture
For a room that feels like a cozy hug, one motto reigns supreme: texture over everything. For a guest bedroom idea that envelops weary travelers the moment they enter, incorporate subtle variations, like nubby quilts, breezy sheets, and grasscloth wallpaper. In this apartment bedroom, the team behind Balsamo Antiques and Interior Design chose a fawn-colored linen wall covering reminiscent of a cashmere sweater.
Bring a Warming Touch
Nothing screams luxury like an in-room fireplace, especially when you're far from home. Treat guests to a soul-warming experience by putting a gas or wood fireplace in the guest room, alongside all the essentials (think fire tools, wood, and more). Here, designer Cathy Chapman paired the feature with exposed stone and denim-blue walls, painted to bring out the texture of the space.
Don't Forget Creature Comforts
Like any good hotel or inn, amenities can make or break a guest's stay. To treat your loved ones to a memorable and comfortable trip, make sure to deck out your guest room idea with creature comforts, like lotion, slippers, books, and more. In this cozy bungalow, designer Amanda Jacobs even included a candle for added ambiance.
Fashion With Local Flair
Live somewhere unique? Give your guest bedroom idea a sense of time and place by incorporating a few local objets d'art into the scene. The possibilities are endless—artisanal pottery, a painting from a local artist, or even an iconic pattern. In this West Palm Beach home, designer Cece Bowman of Kemble Interiors hung a trio of straw hats over the bed to reinforce the beachy locale.
Pile on Plush Layers
As a guest, it can become uncomfortable to constantly ask your host for things you need—more pillows, an extra blanket, a washcloth. To help get ahead of those requests, dress the bed in your guest room with plenty of extras. In this cozy bunk space, designer Martha Mulholland piled on a ton of plush layers, ensuring guests can always get cozy with the bonus blanket or extra pillow they need.
Tuck the Bed Out of Sight
When it comes to small-space living, nothing maximizes a room quite like a Murphy bed. The ingenious design, which often folds out from the wall or wardrobe, can instantly transform an office, living room, or library into a bonus sleeping space for when guests swing by.
Put a Bathroom Nearby
If you boast the available square footage, adding an ensuite to your guest room—like the luxe suite seen here by designer Marie Flanigan—is always a huge bonus. Not only will it give your guest some much-needed privacy, but it will allow the rest of the house to proceed with life as usual, instead of having to tip-toe around each other and anticipate your guests' shower schedule.
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