A Guide To Curating The Perfect Guest Bedroom

GUIDES · GUEST ROOMS

A great guest room makes people feel at home straight away. It doesn't need to be big, or used only for guests, to do that.

The best guest rooms aren't the biggest or the most expensive. They're the ones where everything a guest needs is already there: a good bed, somewhere to put their things, a lamp they can reach and curtains that keep the morning out.

This guide covers choosing the bed, decorating, making the most of a small room, and setting up a guest room that earns its keep the rest of the year too.

In this article:

• What makes a great guest bedroom?
• Guest bed ideas
• Guest bedroom decor ideas
• Small guest bedroom ideas
• Multi-purpose guest room ideas
• Guest room essentials checklist
• Furl's top tips

What Makes a Great Guest Bedroom?

A great guest room balances three things: comfort, calm and practicality. A really good bed, a room that feels restful rather than cluttered, and a few thoughtful touches so guests don't have to ask for anything.

The best way to find out what's missing is to sleep in it yourself for a night. You'll soon notice the lamp you can't reach, the curtain that lets the light in at 5am, or the fact there's nowhere to put a suitcase.

Guest Bed Ideas

The bed is the most important thing in any guest room. Get it right and you'll have much happier guests. For a detailed comparison of the options, read our guide to choosing the perfect spare room bed.

Storage beds for dedicated guest rooms

If the room is only a bedroom, an ottoman storage bed gives guests a proper bed, while the base holds spare bedding, out-of-season clothes or suitcases between visits. For more compact rooms, look at our small double storage beds.

Sofa beds for rooms that do more than one job

If the room is also a snug, a study or a playroom, a sofa bed lets you use it every day and turn it into a bedroom when someone comes to stay. Our spare room sofa beds are an amazing bed first, then a sofa.

Choosing the right size guest bed

Go for the biggest bed the room can take while still leaving space to walk round it and open the wardrobe or door. A double suits most couples; a king is a real treat if you have the room. Our UK bed sizes guide has the exact dimensions.

Don't skimp on the mattress

The mattress is what your guests will remember. A thin, tired one ruins an otherwise lovely room. Our guide on how to choose a mattress explains what to look for.

Guest Bedroom Decor Ideas

Guest bedroom decor should feel welcoming without being too personal, so guests feel free to make themselves at home.

Choose a calm, neutral palette

Soft neutrals and muted tones suit most people's tastes and help the room feel restful. Our guide to what colour to paint your walls has more ideas.

Layer the bedding for a hotel feel

Crisp bedding, extra pillows and a throw at the end of the bed make the room inviting, and give guests options if they run hot or cold.

Add soft, flexible lighting

A bedside lamp on each side, ideally dimmable, is far more relaxing than a single overhead light.

Invest in blackout curtains or blinds

Guests may keep different hours to you, or be getting over a long journey. Blocking out the light makes a big difference to how well they sleep.

Add personal touches without clutter

A piece of art, a plant and a few books make the room feel lived in. Keep surfaces clear so guests have somewhere to put their things.

Small Guest Bedroom Ideas

Many guest rooms are box rooms or the smallest bedroom in the house. The right choices can make them feel comfortable and spacious.

Choose a bed with built-in storage

A storage bed does away with the need for a chest of drawers. A bed on legs, like the Air, lets you see the floor underneath, which helps a small room feel lighter.

Swap bedside tables for wall shelves

Floating shelves and wall-mounted lights free up floor space either side of the bed.

Use hooks instead of a wardrobe

A few wall hooks or a slim rail give guests somewhere to hang clothes without a bulky wardrobe. There are more ideas in our tips for organising storage for guests.

Use light colours and mirrors

Pale walls and a well-placed mirror help a small room feel bigger. Many of the tips in our guide to layout ideas that give the illusion of space work just as well in a bedroom.

Multi-Purpose Guest Room Ideas

Most homes can't keep a room just for guests. A multi-purpose guest room makes far better use of the space all year round. Our guide to multifunctional furniture has more ideas.

Guest room and home office

A sofa bed and a compact desk give you a workspace that becomes a bedroom in minutes. Have a look at our study room sofa beds and our guide to the perfect small desk for your bedroom.

Guest room and cinema room or snug

A comfortable sofa bed makes the room a cosy place to watch TV day to day. Our guide to cinema room ideas that double as a guest room covers the layout, lighting and seating.

Guest room and dressing room

An ottoman storage bed and a clothes rail turn a guest room into extra wardrobe space between visits.

Guest room and playroom

A sofa bed and plenty of storage for toys create a play space that can be cleared quickly when guests arrive.

Guest Room Essentials Checklist

A few small details make a big difference to how welcome guests feel:

• Fresh bedding, plus a spare blanket or throw
• Fresh towels
• A bedside lamp, and a plug socket or charger within reach
• The Wi-Fi details
• A glass or carafe of water
• Hangers and somewhere to hang clothes
• Space for a suitcase
• An empty drawer or shelf
• A mirror
• Spare toiletries

Furl's Top Tips for Curating the Perfect Guest Bedroom

We have been making beds and sofa beds for spare rooms since 2007. Here's what we've learned:

• Spend a night in your guest room yourself.
• Put the bed and mattress first, decor second.
• Leave clear surfaces and floor space for guests' things.
• Plan how the room will be used when nobody is staying.
• Keep spare bedding stored in the room so it's always ready.

Getting your guest room ready? Browse our storage beds and spare room sofa beds, or come and try them at our London showrooms. You don't need an appointment, although you can book one if you want.