How To Create A Welcoming Guest Room
Last updated on September 29th, 2025
Before you know it, the holidays will be in full swing. While the weather this time of year becomes quite unpredictable, there’s one thing you can be sure of: out-of-town guests. When friends and family visit, it is always nice to make them feel welcome. An inviting guest room with thoughtful touches should make them feel right at home.
Flooring and Paint
One of the best places to start decorating your guest room is the floor. A beautiful hardwood, like the hand-finished styles from Emily Morrow Home, brings warmth and texture to the room. Painting the walls in a soothing color, like Agreeable Gray SW 7029 from Sherwin-Williams, provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing oasis.
Furniture Essentials
While it may not be used daily, your guest room should be as beautiful and comfortable as the rest of your home. Invest in a new mattress, a soft down comforter, and cozy linens. Add warm décor to create an inviting space for visitors.
A neutral-colored headboard creates a focal point and sets a canvas for all your decorative, patterned pillows. Coordinate your finished look with a soft rug positioned under the bed. Safavieh not only offers some beautiful options, but they also explain how to select the perfect-sized rug for your room.
If you want to get more use from your guest room, make it multi-functional with a wall bed that converts into a desk. This transformational solution makes it easy to turn your guest room into a home office or craft room.
Additional guest room furniture essentials include:
- Bedside tables
- Chest of drawers
- Reading chair and lamp
- Luggage rack
- Television
Accessory Essentials
There are some key essentials you should have on hand in your guest room. Extra hangers in the closet, along with an ironing board and iron, are always welcome. The closet also stores extra blankets, pillows, and a fan. Make sure there are plenty of towels, a hair dryer, soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the bathroom. A full-length mirror is a nice addition as well. If there isn’t space to put a full-length mirror in the bedroom, you can hang one on the bathroom or closet door.
Special Touches
The small, unexpected touches can make the biggest difference when making your guests feel special. Some favorite ideas are:
Drinks and Snacks
Martha Stewart suggests placing a pitcher of water next to the bed or going the extra mile by filling a large ice bucket with different juices, seltzer, or your preferred beverage. A couple of sweet and salty snacks are also fun to add.
Flowers
A fresh arrangement of flowers by the bed adds a nice touch and helps make the whole room smell amazing.
Wi-Fi
Put your Wi-Fi information on a card placed in an obvious spot or write it on a tabletop chalkboard sign.
Reading Material
Place some magazines close to the bed that you feel your guests might enjoy reading.
Basket of Extras
A basket of extra necessities, such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, shaving cream, razor, ibuprofen, sewing kit, hand lotion, and cotton swabs, is lovely to keep handy should your guests accidentally forget to bring something they need.
Once you’ve completed your guest room, sleep in it for a night. This is the best way to experience how your guests will feel when they stay with you. You’ll know how comfortable your comfy bed really is and may even discover some additional ways you can make your visitors feel welcome.
Visit our Pinterest page for more home inspiration.
