Create a Welcoming Guest Room: 37 Ideas to Make Friends and Family Feel Right at Home

Are you looking to design a guest room that will make your visitors feel perfectly at home? From comfortable bedding to thoughtful decor, there are so many details to consider when creating a space that is warm and inviting. In this in-depth article, we will explore 37 guest room ideas to help you transform your guest room into a cozy retreat for friends and family.

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Designing a Welcoming Guest Room

Designing a guest room is more than just putting together a place for your visitors to sleep. It’s about creating a space that reflects your home decor and provides a comfortable environment for your guests to relax and recharge. Here are some key tips to consider when designing your guest room:

Pay Attention to Details: Remember to pay attention to both big and small details to ensure your guest room is inviting and functional.
Reflect Your Home Decor: Your guest room should reflect the overall style of your home, creating a cohesive and welcoming environment.
Include Essential Elements: Make sure to include essential elements such as a comfortable bed, proper lighting, clothing storage, and thoughtful decor to make your guests feel right at home.

Guest Room Ideas to Try

When it comes to designing a guest room, the possibilities are endless. Here are 37 guest room ideas to help you create a welcoming space for your visitors:

Include Clothes Storage

Add a stylish clothes rack where guests can hang up clothes and store shoes in a guestroom without a closet.
Choose a wood and metal rack for a modern and functional look.

Make It Homey

Give your guest room a homey feel with soft colors, antique furniture, and patterned textiles.
Mix soft beige walls and bedding with patterned textiles for a layered feel.

Hang Framed Photographs

Hang some art or wall decor in the guest bedroom to give it a finished feel.
Opt for crowd-pleasing black-and-white photography depicting local spots or faraway locales.

Try Twin Beds

Create extra functionality in a guest room with twin beds to accommodate visitors of all ages.
Add a dose of color and style with painted blue wainscoting and matching blue-and-white buffalo check bedding.

Wallpaper the Ceiling

Give your guests a treat by wallpapering the ceiling with a bold large-scale floral pattern.
Create a hotel-suite feel with a small seating area at the foot of the bed.

Try a Murphy Bed

Consider the space-saving benefits of a Murphy bed for a multi-functional guest room.
Opt for an all-white space with a fold-down bed that disappears when not in use.

Set Up a Bunk Room

Create a bunk room for kids of all ages in a summer house or for visiting grandkids.
Decorate with a custom dark wood bunk, black metal railings, and bold patterned bedding for a timeless feel.

Include a Work Space

Make your guest room functional for checking emails or remote work by adding a desk or writing table.
Choose a rustic antique wooden desk that doubles as a nightstand and provides plenty of surface area.

Layer in Soft Textures

Create a cozy and inviting atmosphere by layering in plenty of soft textures.
Choose a soft palette of whites and pale blues for a coastal-style bedroom.

Add a Blanket Ladder

Keep extra blankets visible and accessible with a blanket ladder that doubles as decor.
Lean a blanket ladder against the wall for a practical and decorative touch.

Add a Wood Slat Accent

Choose a neutral palette with warm organic finishes like a wood slat wall accent for a relaxed feel.
Create a Japandi-style guest room with a wood slat accent and contrasting city views.

Style the Daybed

Give your guest room off-duty functionality by styling the bed as a daybed.
Add a few layers of pillows and a cozy throw blanket for a comfortable and versatile space.

Add a Reading Chair

Create a relaxing corner for reading or relaxing by adding a small bouclé armchair.
Pair with a small side table for a cozy and inviting guest room.

Install a Black-Out Shade

Ensure that your guests get a solid night of sleep by installing proper window treatments.
Choose a Roman black-out shade to control light and ensure privacy in a compact guest room.

Stock a Mini Bar Cart

Give your guest room hotel amenities with a personalized mini bar cart.
Stock with snacks, fresh flowers, and a guest book for a welcoming and pampered feel.

Try Color-Drenching

Color-drench your guest room in soothing shades of green or blue for an immersive feel.
Choose Farrow & Ball Calke Green paint for vibrant walls and coordinated bedding.

Include a Stylish Hamper

Equip the room with a stylish hamper for guests who plan to stay awhile.
Place a woven hamper next to a large floor mirror for a practical and discreet touch.

Paint the Walls Yellow

Create an uplifting feel in a simple guest room by mixing glowing yellow paint with dark wood tones.
Add woven accents for a warm and inviting space.

Add a Cozy Oversized Bed

Give a spacious guest room a cozy feel with an oversized bed frame.
Choose a bouclé upholstered frame for an enveloping and luxurious experience.

Use Multipurpose Furniture

Save space and maintain an uncluttered feel with multipurpose furniture in your guest room.
Opt for a nightstand that doubles as a small dresser for storing personal items.

Choose Signature Bedding

Skip plain white sheets and choose decorative bedding for a vacation feel.
Select black sheets illustrated with a colorful jungle theme for a unique and stylish touch.

Add Graphic Accents

Personalize a classic black-and-white bedroom with decor accents for a lively feel.
Mix lighting, patterns, and wall decor for a graphic and inviting guest room.

Keep It Cool and Casual

Create an effortless Scandi-style feel with cool silvery blue paint on the walls.
Add natural linen bedding and a chair painted in a similar tone for a breezy and relaxed atmosphere.

Source Twin Antique Beds

Give your attic guest room a sense of history with a pair of antique twin beds.
Pair with textured walls and a tiered pendant light for an airy and unique space.

Install a Giant Headboard

Create a dramatic feel in a large guest room with jet black walls and a monumental headboard.
Add a green velvet channel-tufted headboard with wrap-around sides for a bold and luxurious touch.

Add Whimsical Details

Create a whimsical feel in your guest room with charming details that will make guests smile.
Hang wallpaper with a delicate botanical pattern for a tranquil and welcoming space.

Include Boho-Style Touches

Add breezy decor touches like a macrame wall hanging for boho style in your guest room.
Finish with soft beige walls, pastel blue bedding, and a natural cane and wood headboard for a relaxed feel.

Lay Down a Cozy Rug

Make your guest room feel warm and cozy with a fluffy area rug.
Float the bed on a large area rug for a luxurious feel or layer a natural sheepskin for a smaller and more intimate space.

Paint an Accent Wall

Add color to your guest bedroom with a vibrant accent wall.
Pair shades of green and purple to create a focal point in an otherwise neutral room.

Add Extra Amenities

Go all out and give your guests hotel-style amenities like a fireplace and a flat screen TV for a luxurious stay.
Create a modern and stylish space with all the comforts of a high-end hotel.

Try a Floor Mirror

Help your guests get dressed in the morning with a floor mirror that bounces light and adds to the decor.
Lean a large arched floor mirror against the wall for a practical and decorative touch.

Choose an All-White Palette

Make a small guest bedroom feel more spacious with an all-white palette.
Create an airy and textural space with shades of white and beige for a light and inviting guest room.

Curtain Off the Bed

Create privacy in a guest room that functions as a home office with a privacy curtain to wall off the bed niche.
Opt for a functional and stylish solution for a multi-purpose guest room.

Save Space With Sconces

Free up space in a small guest room with wall sconces for ambient lighting.
Add exposed Edison bulb sconces for a modern and minimalist touch.

Paint the Wood Trim

Add personality to your guest room by painting window trim, moldings, and doors in a bold and vibrant shade.
Choose a red-accented space for a dynamic and stylish guest room.

Carve Out Space

Make the most of a small bonus room by turning it into a micro guest room that will make visitors feel welcome.
Outfit the space with a large bed, pendant light, and neutral decor for a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Canopy Beds

Dress up a twin guest room with matching canopy beds and soothing light blue wall paint.
Add bird-shaped wall decor for a whimsical and charming touch.

Choose the Right Bed Size

The best size bed for a guest room depends on the size of the room and the type of guests you are hosting. Here are some options to consider:

Twin Beds: Popular for grandparents hosting grandchildren or for accommodating visitors of all ages.
Double Bed: Ideal for kids sharing or couples in a smaller bedroom.
Queen/King Bed: Treat your guests like royalty with a spacious bed if space is not an issue.

To TV or Not to TV?

Whether or not to put a TV in a guest room is a matter of personal preference. While it can make a guest room feel more like home for those who are used to having the TV going from day to night, it’s certainly not required.

Ensure Proper Ventilation

Building codes require that bedrooms have windows to be legally counted as such. Therefore, a guest bedroom, like any bedroom, should have a window to provide natural light, ventilation, and egress (escape).

In conclusion, designing a guest room is an opportunity to create a warm and welcoming space for your visitors. By paying attention to details like clothes storage, decor accents, and cozy textures, you can transform your guest room into a comfortable retreat for friends and family.

Remember to reflect your home decor, consider essential elements, and personalize the space to make your guests feel perfectly at home. With these 37 guest room ideas, you can create a space that will make your visitors feel right at home and leave them with lasting memories of their stay.