Fall is officially here, which means the holiday season will be here before you know it. With so many festivities to look forward to, there’s no better time than now to revamp your guest bedroom for visiting friends and family. And when it comes to guest room decor, adding small personal touches and upgrades can go a long way in creating a space your guests will love.
Whether you’re looking for guest room decorating ideas to give your spare room a festive glow-up or for a front-to-back makeover, we’ve got you covered. We reached out to experts from Duncan, BC, to Philadelphia, PA, for their room essentials to add a touch of holiday cheer to your guest room and create a stylish and functional space for your visitors.
Brighten up your guest bedroom
1) Have ample lighting options to keep your guests comfortable
Your guests may not be fully aware of the layout of your home, and you want them to be comfortable if they happen to wake up in the middle of the night. Strategically placed plug-in motion sensor step-lights along any steps and hallways leading to the bathroom and kitchen will add lighting without glare. Also, place one in the guest bath as a nightlight. For the bedroom, use a warm-colored LED amber/golden toned light instead of bright white so it doesn’t interrupt the sleep cycle. –Lux Lighting Design
2) Welcome your friends to a warm and inviting guest bedroom by choosing the perfect color temperature for your lights
Not sure what color temperature to choose? Try lights in 3000K or 4000K for a soft, relaxing atmosphere. You can also use smart bulbs to let your guests set the mood this holiday season. –Sunco Lighting
3) Add a warm glow to create an inviting atmosphere
Lighting in most guest bedrooms can be an afterthought- leftover mismatched lamps, a single overhead fixture, or perhaps just the light attached to a ceiling fan. A great guest room decorating idea is adding additional light sources like floor lamps, accent lights, and reading lights to provide plenty of light when they need it. You can also provide dimmers for when they need to decompress. Remember, your guests begin and end their days in that room – err on the assumption that they’re navigating unfamiliar surroundings and can be a little stressed. –Dominion Lighting
4) Use bedside lighting to illuminate the space and add a soft ambiance
Bedside lighting such as table lamps, sconces, wall lamps, and pendants can add safety and comfort to your guest bedroom. The convenient placement of this lighting means no stubbed toes in the middle of the night while your guest makes their way through a dark, unfamiliar bedroom. –EverLights
Personalize your guest bedroom with plush accents
5) Decorate the guest bedroom with plenty of cozy throws
Make your guests cozy and comfortable by providing plenty of extra throw blankets. A decorative basket filled with different weights of soft, colorful blankets will look lovely in a corner and will give your guests a warm welcome. –Loomination
6) Stick with a neutral palette for a serene interior
Refreshing a guest bedroom is mandatory as we head into the holiday season. A neutral-colored chunky knit throw can do wonders in making a bedroom feel cozy. Ensuring your guests enjoy a comfortable Coop Original or Eden pillow means they’ll get a guaranteed 8 hours of sleep. And stocking your guest bedroom with great literature is another way you can help your guests relax (think: The Water Dancer, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre). –Coop Home Goods
7) Get creative with different textures
Mix and match your linens. Don’t feel confined to sheet sets; try using different colors and textures to give your guest bedroom its own unique feel. Adding wool is a great guest room decorating idea to add texture to your bedding. Naturally anti-microbial and hypoallergenic, wool is the ultimate bedding material, bringing the perfect balance of coziness and temperature control for all-natural comfort in all seasons. –Resthouse Sleep Solutions
Bring in the festive vibes with seasonal accessories
8) Layer seasonal accents to add a festive touch to your guest bedroom
Rather than switching out all your decor for the holidays, I like to welcome guests with treats that highlight the sights and scents of the season. Try adding a decorative tray with a vase of seasonal florals, a winter-scented hand lotion for the cold, dry weather, and a season-appropriate candle such as evergreen or cinnamon. Don’t have a fireplace? A wood wick candle will crackle as it burns and evokes the sound and feel of an actual hearth. –Aronson Designs
9) Set the mood with holiday-inspired textiles
Make your guests feel like they are staying in a five-star hotel over the holiday season by spoiling them with the little details that add to their comfort. Combine beautiful holiday textiles that relate to the room and create an ambiance with the lighting. Surprise them with little items that make them feel special, like leaving a small, beautifully wrapped gift on the bed to get them into the Christmas mood. –Wowedesign
10) Create a festive mood with holiday scented candles
Fragrances play an essential part in interior design. Candles specifically have a way of setting the mood, creating a calm space, and enhancing wellbeing. The holiday season is usually filled with sumptuous aromas, from the delights of home cooking to the smell of log fires in the crisp winter air. Adding a beautiful festive scent to a guest bedroom (such as woody notes or spices like cinnamon) will create a cozy and welcoming space for any guest. –Nola
11) Incorporate pops of holiday-themed decor
An easy way to refresh a guest bedroom for the holiday season is to decorate with small holiday-themed handkerchiefs. You can easily tack them to existing throw pillows or use them as small tablecloths to add small pops of holiday decor throughout your guest room. These accents are subtle but bring much holiday cheer to your guests. –Bumblebee Linens
Create a cozy retreat with warm bedding
12) Give your guests a hotel-like experience
Invest in 100% organic cotton bedding in a sateen weave for a buttery soft, and luxurious feel. You can also mix and match the bedding in your guest room by pairing a white sheet set with a contrasting duvet cover set to create a pop of color – be it a neutral calming color palette or something bold and stunning depending on your guest bedroom decor. Spritzing the pillowcases with a light spray of lavender or lighting an essential oil candle is a simple guest bedroom decorating idea that goes a long way in adding a warming and relaxing glow to your guest bedroom. –Strawberry & Cream Home
13) Don’t forget the hidden touches that elevate your guest’s stay
If you want to give your guests a five-star, luxurious experience, a mattress topper is a must. We recommend looking for a mattress topper that offers back support, is hypoallergenic, contains cooling comfort technology, and memory foam for added comfort. –SensorPEDIC
14) Treat your guests to a luxurious sleep
Give your guests the experience of a luxury hotel with bedding that feels sophisticated and cozy all year round. SmartSilk’s all-natural bedding collection is made with temperature-regulating silk, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Designed with all-natural materials and Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly™, you can rest assured knowing your guests are well taken care of. –Smart Silk
Don’t forget the little details for an unforgettable stay
15) Add a gracious touch to welcome and pamper your guests
Place a fresh floral arrangement, new candle, and hand cream on the nightstand, along with a short handwritten note. You can even include the Wi-Fi password on the note to ensure your guests have all the essentials. –Veronica Bradley Interiors
16) Create a spa-like experience by upgrading to quality towels and linens
Create a comfortable, inviting retreat where guests will feel at ease. Provide a luxurious, relaxing experience by upgrading to plush towels and buttery-soft bedding, giving guests the holiday their heart truly desires. –Standard Textile Home
17) Have ample pillow options on hand for your guests to get comfortable
Every guest bedroom is better with a few different pillow options. We recommend providing at least three, so your family and friends have an intriguing choice at bedtime. A down pillow, a buckwheat pillow, and a shredded latex pillow are a diverse selection that should satisfy every sleepyhead. –Hullo
18) Create a cozy corner for an extra special stay
This holiday season, create a welcoming atmosphere by adding fresh towels wrapped with a holiday-themed ribbon and a special welcome note. Nothing says you were thoughtful in your planning than a cozy station with a throw blanket, holiday scented candle, and a hot cocoa station. These small touches will make your guest feel appreciated. –BD Interior Design
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