How to Create a Cozy Guest Room for Holiday Visitors

As family and friends descend upon your home for the holiday season, it’s time to get your guest room in shape to receive visitors! Use our helpful tips to make sure you have everything in place to make your guests feel at home.

What Are the Rules for a Guest Room?

When setting up your guest room, a few thoughtful touches can go a long way in making your visitors feel welcome. The goal is to offer a clean, cozy space where guests feel relaxed and at ease.

How to Make a Guest Room Feel Like a Hotel

Focus on comfort and convenience to give your guest room a hotel-like vibe. High-quality linens, plush towels, and thoughtful amenities like a fan, alarm clock, and bedside lighting will make your guests feel pampered. For that final touch of hospitality, remember to include a guest room basket with essentials such as snacks, bottled water, and toiletries.

Let’s Start With the Fun Stuff: What to Put in Guest Room Basket

Creating a guest room basket is a thoughtful way to make your visitors feel welcome and at ease. Start with basic essentials like travel-sized toiletries—think shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Add a few pampering extras such as a scented candle, hand lotion, or even a sleep mask to help your guests unwind. Including snacks like granola bars, chocolates, or bottled water is a nice touch for guests who may feel hesitant to explore the kitchen. Finally, consider adding a local guidebook or a personalized welcome note to make the experience even more special.

How to Make a Guest Room More Cozy: The Essentials

Clean Sheets

Do we really need to point this out, you ask? Why yes, I think it’s important that we do. I was once a guest at a home where the sheets had dried dog vomit on them. Yes, the host knew…and didn’t seem to think it was an issue. Put freshly laundered sheets on the bed the day before guests arrive and get points for being SuperHost. Want to really give your guests the five-star treatment? Choose super soft high-thread count cotton sheets. We like these:

Fresh Towels

Towels must be clean and soft. These plush towel sets will definitely leave your guests with a feeling of luxury:

Extra Pillows and Blankets

Keep these easily available regardless of the season. People get cold at night and like to have options. The snugglier, the better (this sherpa blanket is amazing!)

How to Organize a Guest Room: Keep It Simple and Functional

When organizing your guest room, focus on practicality. Create a space that’s easy to navigate and functional, with designated spots for personal belongings, electronics, and more. Simple additions like bedside lighting, extra outlets, and a small fan can elevate the guest experience.

Alarm or Clock

This may be especially handy for older guests or those who don’t use their smart phones as clocks. While you’re at it, be sure to have extra electrical outlets available for guests to charge their devices.

Wi-Fi Access Info

They’ll probably ask for it anyway. You could even put it in a cute frame. We created a set of PDF signs you can download, edit, and print at home for free! Just sign up for our Library of Freebies to access this free printable (and LOTS more)!

Fan

Fans are a huge relief to people who tend to “sleep hot,” and some guests may just appreciate the white noise they provide.

Blinds or Light Blocking Drapes

This is a thoughtful bonus for guests who prefer to sleep late. We love these choices. They’re pretty and functional!

Bedside Lighting

Guests who like to read before going to sleep will find a pretty lamp on a bedside table especially handy.

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Guest Room Wall Design: Creating a Calming Environment

Wall decor plays a crucial role in the ambiance of your guest room. Soft colors, simple artwork, and tasteful accent pieces can help create a relaxing and visually appealing space that guests will love. Pair your guest room wall design with coordinating furniture to complete the look.

How to Create a Guest Room in a Small Space

Working with a small guest room design? No problem! Choose compact, multi-functional furniture and maximize vertical storage to create a comfortable space, no matter the size.

Photo by Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets – More home office photos

Guest Room Design: Furniture to Maximize Your Space

Murphy beds (also known as wall beds) and folding sofas or chairs are fantastic space-saving solutions for guest rooms, especially in smaller homes. These beds fold up vertically into a cabinet, wall unit, or a seat when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space for other activities. Modern Murphy bed designs often come with built-in shelving or desks, adding extra functionality to the room. This type of furniture allows you to create a multi-purpose space, transforming an office or small guest room into a comfortable bedroom in minutes. It’s a stylish and practical option for maximizing space without compromising on comfort for your guests.

Using Hooks to Maximize Small Guest Room Design

Space may be at a premium with extra people in the house so invest in a set of handy over-the-door hooks to help guests keep their clothes and towels dry and separate.

Need Help Staging Your Guest Room?

If you’re planning to sell your home, making sure your guest room is picture-perfect can be a big selling point. At Three Bears Home Staging, we help homeowners across the country stage their homes for faster, more profitable sales. Contact us today for expert advice on how to make your home stand out!

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