Now we are finally allowed to host guests again, it's time to be inspired by all our lovely guest bedroom ideas and get that space (that's probably been doubling up as a home office for the past year) freshened up and looking at it's best.
What we love about decorating guest bedrooms is your get to create the dream room, one you wish yours looked like all the time, free from clutter, free from an overflowing closet, free from the ever-growing collection of skincare on the nightstand. You can create a hotel-like space within your own home, and be more daring with your decor too since it's not a room anyone will have to spend more than a couple of nights in so you can really go all out. And our bedroom ideas are here to help you do just that...
1. Make your guest room multi-purpose
Not everyone will have space at home for a dedicated guest bedroom, but if you're planning to host on a regular basis then it’s a good idea to have a room that can be easily converted to accommodate guests.
By making a room multi-functional, you're ensuring that you are making the most of that room, giving it use all year round.
One of the most popular dual-functional rooms in the home is the home office, which can usually easily accommodate a day bed that's set up like a sofa during the day, but can be pulled out into a double bed when guests come to stay.
The elegant guest bedroom design above by Beata Heuman makes the most of a home office. During the day it acts as a home office and reading room, but it doubles up as a guest room for when the owners have visitors.
Meanwhile, in this family home in Highgate, a music room features a day bed that doubles as a guest bed for visitors. The room features useful built-in storage which the owners use daily, and it's an inviting space to just escape to during the day.
2. Transform the attic
If all the rooms in your house are already in use, consider a loft conversion to add a guest bedroom. Transform a dark, cluttered attic space into a lovely light-filled space that your friends and family will love.
Lofts are the perfect place to create a guest or spare bedroom. By their very nature, they tend to only be used occasionally, so sloping ceilings and a confined space is less likely to be an issue for the user.
In this small house in Brixton, a home office was extended up to the roof, giving it more ceiling height as well as the opportunity to incorporate a guest bed at mezzanine level. The plywood-clad staircase cleverly incorporates storage and wardrobe space.
3. Consider eaves and alcoves
Casey Keasler transformed an awkward nook with a sloped ceiling into a cozy guest room space in this modern attic re-design. Trundle storage under the bed provides easy access to towels and linens, and also acts as pull-out steps so small guests can reach the bed. A small, wall-mounted reading light is a space-saver too, while the wood bed frame makes this space feel elegant, well designed, and cozy.
For grown-up vibes, place a low double bed under a sloped ceiling (as long as there's enough space to stand up next to it). The below attic guest room even incorporates a statement Seventies Italian chandeliers that drips sensuously from the ceiling.
4. Use curtains to divide when guests are visiting
Most people tend to have guests only on occasion, so it makes sense that those guest room spaces end up having other uses. Hanging curtains is a quick and clever way to divide a private sleeping zone from a space that is set up as an office, playroom, or other.
The top floor of this broken plan house features a multi-purpose room that can be used as a home office, relaxing space or as an extra guest bedroom.
The home achieves the same on a middle floor, where green curtains are used to separate an occasional sleeping zone from a matching green-colored bathroom. The bedroom is only accessed through the bathroom.
5. Or use curtains to inject some texture
In this apartment in London, the owner used velvety bedroom curtains to wrap around the basement guest bedroom, enveloping the space in cozy texture and turning a previously dark and drab basement bedroom into something that feels cozy and decadent.
6. Upgrade a garden building into a guest house or 'granny flat'
This clever garden guest house by London-based architects De Rosee Sa incorporates an open-plan living and kitchenette area, and can accommodate guests too. It even has its own shower room.
It's the kind of design we expect will become increasingly popular in the current climate, where people are working from home more often, so having an additional space to escape to is hugely beneficial – not to mention being able to offer grandparents and other guests their own space.
The garden room design features sanded floors, wood-paneled walls with gorgeous built-in shelves and storage, and an inky blue palette.
7. Dive in with a daring theme
When it comes to rooms that are used occasionally, and are not a main entertaining space (take powder rooms for example), it offers the opportunity to experiment with a decorating style that might be too bold for communal areas.
Alexandra Laird, Interior Design Manager of Burbeck Interiors, said: 'When decorating your guest bedroom, you can afford to take some risks and push the boundaries. Use this as a chance to experiment and explore your design personality. The best boutique hotels don’t have cookie-cutter bedrooms, they are all a bit different, so apply this thinking to your guest bedroom and have some fun.'
We love the green velvet headboard used in this guest bedroom idea, which not only stretches right up to the ceiling but even wraps around fitted shelves, adding color, glamour and drama. Low hanging pendant lamps on either side offer an out-of-the-box approach to bedside reading lights.
8. Experiment with a bold color
A bedroom should have a clear overall theme and color palette, rather than a melting pot for different styles.
Just because you don't use it as your own bedroom doesn't mean the guest bedroom shouldn't be up to scratch design-wise. Go for a statement scheme, and pull the room together in a way that complements the chosen style.
The guest space in this Georgian townhouse in north London features a bold, blue bedroom color scheme.
The strength of the deep blue headboard and amber cushions are wrapped up in the softest of fabrics, giving the guest bedroom a traditional yet luxurious feel. The old-fashioned finishing touches mean the overall look is serene but far from bland.
9. Choose white for a timeless, neutral scheme
When in doubt, or if bold looks aren't your thing, then a neutral bedroom scheme is the way to go. A calm bedroom with natural colors and plenty of light will create a fresh and timeless look that won't date. Weave in lots of texture and natural materials to add interest, but stick to a pared-back color scheme.
Going for a white bedroom scheme with natural materials will often result in a more rustic, country-inspired look – perfect for country homes and cottages. Keeping a bedroom calm and un-fussy will create a welcoming, informal space in which to unwind.
This beach house in Australia gives guest bedrooms the same muted color scheme as the rest of the home, plus added texture with tongue and groove wall paneling.
10. Use clever space-saving designs in smaller guest rooms
Dealing with cramped quarters? Affix a small shelf next to the bed in lieu of a table – it's all the space you need for a reading light, book, and small bud vase. Opt for wall-mounted lights instead of clunky table lamps, and if you want to incorporate a desk area or vanity table then consider designs that pop-up like a shelf, but can fold down again to be flush against the wall.
For a more luxurious look, why not commission a built-in statement headboard with recessed shelving, and hidden wiring and electrics for hotel-style, easy access, bedside lighting?
