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Home from home

Make sure your family and friends have a comfortable, relaxing stay with our guide to guest bedrooms.

Article by: Sophie Warren-Smith
Publish date: 8th January 2009

Spare rooms can become a dumping ground for things we dont use very often. But why not turn this area into a stunning guest bedroom instead with some careful planning, a calming scheme and key accessories?

Bare essentials
The guest room shouldnt be the poor relation to your master bedroom, but the design can be pared down somewhat. After all, this room may not be in use as frequently, but it will still need to feel comfortable and ooze style. Consider the furniture in this space first and remember, a stylish bed should be top of your wish list. And, according to the Managing Director of And So To Bed, Andy Hills, you should invest in a good quality mattress. He explains: Comfort, comfort and comfort.

A good nights sleep is central to a guests experience and enjoyment of their stay in your home. There is nothing more welcoming than a beautiful bed and a luxurious mattress. Other key pieces that are musts are a good-sized wardrobe, a chest of drawers, dressing table with mirror, a bedside table and, if theres room, a comfortable chair.

In terms of style, opt for classic and traditional because these looks will never date and, if you invest in good quality products at the start, they will be more durable too. Depending on the style of your property, there are various classic looks you can choose for example, if you have a country cottage, look for rustic pieces filled with character that dont necessarily have to match. Or, in an elegant town house, try French style, which has an immediate sophisticated edge.

Lighting should be considered too. Your guests may want to retire early to read, so directional bedside lamps are a good idea. Dimmer lights are also worth investing in.

For a decorative touch, choose a chandelier because they will sparkle in the light for an eye-catching feature.

Calming schemes
Bold brights might be a personal favourite but, for a guest bedroom, the colours are best kept neutral or as one main block of colour. Choose a main shade like an aqua blue, for example, and use that as a starting point. You can mix creams, coffees and mochas with it to create a soothing, nature-inspired effect. Alternatively, consider whites with a hint of taupe or pastel blue for an elegant combination that adds a refined look. These hues will work for curtains, wallcoverings or bedspreads  the choice is yours. And if its cold, consider having curtains lined to keep draught-free and cosy.

If you worry about your guest room not feeling welcoming enough, a warmer shade like red will work well. But make sure the room is large enough because this could make the space feel enclosed.

The most popular choice for flooring in a bedroom is still carpet, but keep it neutral with a deep pile. Or, if you have floorboards, make sure you place a sensual rug each side of the bed.

Essential comforts
There is nothing nicer than snuggling into luxurious, cosy bedding. Opt for the best you can buy to encourage a full nights sleep and happy guests. Offer a wealth of blankets and pillows too; they should be super-soft and will help create a layered look. For added warmth, use a top sheet with a duvet and dont forget good old-fashioned eiderdowns and quilts for extra texture. Its always better to give your guests plenty of choice as there is nothing worse than being cold at night. You can also leave out blankets made from different materials mohair and wool they are extremely warm, but oh-so-soft to touch, so are perfect for an instant feel-good factor. Mockie Harrison, Design Manager Home at John Lewis advises: A guest room can be easily transformed and brightened up by adding a few simple and carefully selected accessories. New bed linen or a sumptuous bed throw and coordinating cushions will instantly transform a tired guest bed and make it look more stylish.

Finer details
Its the small touches that are added to a room that bring it to life think of flowers in a vase on the bedside table, scented sachets in drawers and freshly laundered towels. Scented candles can be lit too to help your guests unwind, but keep the scents subtle like lavender or rose. Even if the bedroom doesnt have an en suite, you can create a touch of hotel glamour by leaving out new, beautifully fragranced bath scents and lotion as a personal treat. Mockie adds: Finishing touches such as a bedside lamp, alarm clock, scented candles and even a bale of fluffy towels will ensure your guests feel comfortable and at home. I always provide mine with a small selection of bathing essentials, such as shower gels and soaps on a pretty plate. Cushions are perfect for support when reading in bed, and they will also create texture. Look for designs that have pretty button fastenings for a classical finish. Keep some good fiction and non-fiction books by the bedside for your guests to look through if they desire as this is a good way for them to relax just before bedtime.

Other essentials not to forget are a glass of water and jug, plus a big fluffy dressing gown that can be hung on the back of the door. Remember all of these points and your guests will have a stay filled with fond memories.

Guest bedrooms
Creating an inviting room is important, so we asked Georgia Metcalfe, founder of The French Bedroom Company, what to consider:

1 Enable your guests to enjoy their stay by supplying key pieces of furniture like an armoire or wardrobe to hang their clothes, a small chest of drawers and bedside tables.

2 Every guest will feel welcomed by crisp, clean linen and warm duvets to ensure a good nights sleep.

3 Towels are an essential, make sure they are as good a quality as possible and have a variety of sizes.

4 Fresh flowers will show guests how much you want to welcome them.

5 Its all about the little touches tissues and lavender oil on the bedside table and scented linen sachets in the wardrobe.