Home Finds

5 Guest Room Ideas for a Cozy Stay

Great hosts know how to anticipate a guest’s needs — even when overnight stays aren’t planned. From weather delays to impromptu celebrations, these five expert tips will help you turn your guest room into a cozy, welcoming retreat.

Home Finds

Put the Bed in Bedroom

Unlike your personal bedroom, a guest bedroom needs to cater to a wide variety of sleeping preferences and poses. Choose a high-quality mattress that offers medium-level support — not too firm and not too soft. But when it comes to bed frames, ditch the cookie-cutter hotel room aesthetic. Instead, consider something bolder and more stylish to showcase your personality, whether you choose a dramatic four-poster wood frame or sleek modern design.

Mathis Home

Add Soft & Inviting Touches

After a long day of socializing, guests need a space where they can truly relax and decompress before they head to bed. Create a soft place to land with plenty of cozy fall textures, from a plush area rug to upholstered headboards. As for bedding, we recommend breathable yet insulating layers, like natural linen and cotton. And don’t forget to add extra pillows and blankets so guests can fine-tune their setup for chilly autumn nights.

MINE

One Kings Lane

RC Willey

Unpack & Unwind

The ideal guest bedroom should never have visitors wondering, “where can I put this?” Supply them with stylish storage options, like weathered wood nightstands for farmhouse style or walnut dressers for a mid century modern flair. Beyond the usual storage solutions, consider incorporating a bench or reading chair in fall-appropriate velvet, leather, or boucle for casually draping a coat or purse.

One Kings Lane

Mathis Home

Bloomingdale's

Turn Down the Lights

Similar to your dining room’s aura, a guest bedroom can benefit immensely from ambient lighting that creates a soft atmosphere. Avoid harsh and overly bright setups. Instead, look for warmer bulbs and lampshades. For a layered lighting approach, add a range of lamps at different heights with sconces and table lamps, chandeliers, and floor lamps that casts diffusive golden glows instead of one concentrated source of illumination.

RC Willey

Mathis Home

MINE

For Check-out Time

Your guest bedroom might be infrequently used, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the finishing touches. Give thought to anything your guest would need the next morning, including a woven laundry basket, an extra set of fluffy towels, or a fall-themed bathmat. And don’t forget little details like adding a floor-length mirror or vanity to ease their morning routine, as well decorative gourds, dried flowers, and other seasonal decor to make the room feel cozy and welcoming.