How to Style Your Guest Bedroom

guest bedroom ideas, close up of smoke green quilt cover and pillowcases, with grey sheets. cream wall in background.guest bedroom ideas, close up of smoke green quilt cover and pillowcases, with grey sheets. cream wall in background.

Perhaps you’ve got family from out of city or out of state for a long weekend, for Christmas or just to visit. Maybe you’ve got a friend visiting from overseas, or perhaps you’ve just got someone housesitting, or looking after your pets while you yourself go on vacation.

Either way, there needs to be a solution for that person — or potential people — to sleep. 

The (slightly obvious) solution? A guest bedroom. Or, if you don’t have the luxury of having a spare room where you can consistently put someone up for a few days, a guest space.

Whether it’s an entire room, a pull-out couch, or even a big blow-up mattress, you can still take it to the next level, so your guest still feels at home when away from home. In these five steps, we teach you exactly how to style a guest room

Step 1: Bedding Accessories

If the spare room mattress isn’t that comfortable — or the blow-up mattress, for that matter — you can still find a way for them to climb into comfort after a long day of sightseeing, hanging out with their host (that’s you), or taking care of your space and your pets.

It might be a bit obvious, but what should be in your guest bedroom starts with a mattress topper or underlay, and don’t forget a cosy quilt. Think cotton for summer, wool for all-season use, and feather & down for luxury (and cooler nights).

Provide a couple of pillows so your guests can find the perfect option or profile to suit them. And remember, you can extend the life of these bedding accessories (or even use them yourself after a while) if you keep them clean with pillow and mattress protectors; the ideal way to ensure the longevity of your bed accessories.

Step 2: Sheets & Quilt Cover

A bed isn’t a bed until it’s made up — yep, we’re talking sheets and quilt covers. A major role in the quality of your guests’ sleep, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to feel — you could go for relaxed linen, crisp cotton, or slinky TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres. 

If you want to go all-out with a touch of luxury, consider 1000 or 1200-thread-count cotton sheets, a heavier weight that rivals the best of hotels.

When it comes to guest bedroom ideas, choose a soothing shade and feel when it comes to your quilt cover — like Sabal, in green smoke. A striking dot texture of silhouetted blossoms plays with matte and sheen finish; so gorgeous, your guests might try and pack it away with them. 

And don’t forget to finish the look off with silky softness — literally. Indulge your guests in the most luxurious of fibres, with our Lanham Collection, crafted from quality Mulberry silk. What better fabric to rest your head on after a long day?

what should a guest bedroom have? close up of layered cushions and pillows at top of guest bed, in shades of smoke green, tan, and licorice.what should a guest bedroom have? close up of layered cushions and pillows at top of guest bed, in shades of smoke green, tan, and licorice.

Step 3: Decorate with Cushions & Throws

This is especially helpful if you’ve got a fold-out couch because then you get to enjoy them every other day of the year.

Cushions and throws are an easy way to add character and style to a space, and an easy answer to “how do I make my guest bedroom luxurious? The Alchemy Euro adds deep velvet with dreamy poppies for a luxurious statement, while the Brannen Square Cushion adds interesting texture with its alternating rows of pintucks. For a moment of contrast, you could layer on the Madel cushion, in sugar. 

In winter months, a chunky throw or even an extra bed cover will never go astray as an extra layer of warmth — your guests will thank you for it. 

Step 4: Bathroom Essentials

Let’s be honest — your guest doesn’t want to use that old, threadbare bath towel or yours just as much as you don’t want to see it in them. 

For ease, you can get them a set that includes two bath towels and two hand towels (like Abbotson Towel Set). Or, go with a “the bigger the better” outset, and indulge in a bath sheet, maybe even one that colour coordinates with the bedding — like Luxury Egyptian, in dew.

And if you really want to go the extra mile — or just refuse even the slightest opportunity of a towel slip — a robe makes it more comfortable for everyone involved, physically and otherwise.

how do I make my guest bedroom luxurious? close up of luxury egyptian towel collection in dew green and slate grey, you can see texture and loop of towelling.how do I make my guest bedroom luxurious? close up of luxury egyptian towel collection in dew green and slate grey, you can see texture and loop of towelling.

Step 5: The Finishing Touches

When it comes to what a guest bedroom should have, a bit of life, or personality, never goes astray — and you can transform it from barebones to homey with a few finishing touches… and show off an extra level of thoughtfulness.

You can hang up some wall art in the space if able, bring in a scented candle or diffuser, or add a touch of nature with a plant or flowers (real or otherwise). 

If it is just a space as opposed to a full room, you can incorporate a pouffe or something similar into your own space, one that can double as a bedside table for when guests are in town. 

A room divider — a folding screen, pull-out curtain, or even an open bookcase can help lend a feeling of privacy to your guest. A luggage stand prevents having a big old suitcase on the floor, with clothes scattered everywhere — helping keep the guest bedroom (or just your living room floor) looking a little cleaner.

Setting up a spare charger or two (in an obvious place) always helps a guest out, how many of us have packed everything but that when travelling? An eye mask also helps add an extra special touch, as well as allowing your guest the possibility of blocking out any extra light if they’re sleeping in a main area.

1 year ago