We all know the saying “out with the old in with the new”. What better time than a fresh new year to put this saying to action? The need for a comfortable guest suite in your new home cannot be overemphasized; not to mention the comfort it brings to your guest, making them feel right at home.

If you’re thinking to yourself, “Too much work, don’t know where to start, too expensive…” along with other viable excuses, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve broken this “how to” into six easy categories that will allow your money to go a long way and leave your friends and family requesting to stay again!

1. Paint

Paint is an easy and affordable way to update a space. The paint color that you select will set the overall tone of your guest suite. We suggest keeping the walls as neutral as possible. Stay away from vivid colors, it will make the space appear busy and smaller in size. Stick to muted colors for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Test colors on a small section of the wall before making your final decision. Some colors will look different from the color swatch upon drying. 

2. Furniture

The bed is the single most important piece of furniture in a guest bedroom. A bad night’s sleep will ruin a guest’s stay, so toss the mattress out if you would not enjoy sleeping there. A rule of thumb to follow is that the bed should comfortably fit two grown adults. If your space allows for it, go with the largest bed that you can fit. It’s never ideal to put a guest on a twin- or full-size bed. At a minimum, go with a queen size. A mattress in a box is an excellent choice for a fast and easy setup. We have linked a couple of great options to choose from below.

Mattresses:  The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress,  The Lull Mattress

Your guests will need somewhere to lay their phone, keys, wallet, etc. Place at least one nightstand on either side of the bed. If there are not any drawers or underneath storage, we suggest including a dresser wherever you have an empty wall. Don’t require your guests to live out of a suitcase. They should have the option to unpack their things. Make some space in the closet with empty hangers for your guests to hang clothes that they don’t want wrinkled.

Nightstand: Medrano 2 - Drawer Nightstand

Dresser: Williams 7 Drawer Dresser

Your visitors may enjoy reading a book before bed or need to take care of some business while they are staying in your home. To help them do so, it’s nice to include a comfortable chair or desk area for them to sit and get things done.

Chair: Tamsin Mid-Century Club Chair - Christopher Knight Home

Desk: Sabion Reversible Solid Wood Desk

3. Luxury Bedding

If it’s old and rough, throw it out. Purchase new bedding that makes the room feel like a nice hotel. We recommend purchasing a duvet with a simple white cover. White bedding is a staple in hotels, so you can’t go wrong with using it in your guest room. Place plenty of pillows on the bed, mixing both soft and firm to give guests an option that matches their sleep preferences. Don’t forget to provide plenty of blankets/throws, so that your guest can adjust to the temperature during the night. We also recommend making the bed with sheets that are made from natural fabrics. They are overall much softer than other options.

Duvet Cover: Miraloma Classic Duvet Cover Set

Soft Sheets: Mellanni Bed Sheet Set

4. Lighting

Natural lighting can go a long way during the day. At night though, your guests will need to turn on a light. Give them options other than the harsh overhead light. It can be hard to wind down at night with bright lighting. Incorporate task lighting for reading and dressing, as well as softer ambient lighting. Think about the overall functionality with different types of lighting. Lamps with USB ports would be perfect for bedside lighting. Guests wouldn’t have to hunt for a plug outlet, and they could charge their phone directly beside them.

Bedside Lamps: Ledger Glass USB Table Lamp Set with Table Top Dimmers

5. Bathroom Essentials

Always leave your guests with good towels for an overnight stay. Purchase new bath linens that are a different color than your regular everyday towels. It’ll make it easier to tell the difference between your everyday and guest towels. If your linens are old and unraveling, don’t leave them for guests to use. You can purchase an inexpensive set of bathroom towels below.

Bath Linens: 6pc Apothecary Bath Towel Set - LOFT by Loftex

There are many essentials that get left behind when packing for an overnight stay. Stock up on easily forgotten items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, razors, etc. You can buy travel-sized items and leave them in a pretty basket for your guests to help themselves. At the end of their stay, they can just dispose of what they didn’t finish using.

Let’s talk about toilet necessities. Odor eliminator is a must! This can be poo pourri, an oil diffuser, a scented candle, or Febreze spray. Comfort is the keyword here. Don’t leave your guests feeling embarrassed by any lingering odors. Also, stock up on plenty of toilet paper!

6. Keep Your Guests Connected

Grab a little card to jot down your wi-fi network and password to place on the bedside table. It’s such an easy thing to do, but it goes a long way towards making your guests feel welcome!

Now you know how to create the perfect guest oasis in your home! Once your guest room is complete, friends and family will want to visit you frequently. Always be prepared for your next guest by keeping the space clean and free of clutter. You never know when they might drop by and stay for a few days. If you’re on the market for a new home in 2021, contact us today! We will help get you settled into to home of your dreams. Search all of our Harris Doyle communities here.