What makes a Great Guest Room?
I design a lot of vacation homes, usually second or third homes intended to host family and friends. Just about all of my clients have a general plan of who gets which bedroom… there’s always a primary bedroom, then there’s the “oh my daughter wants that room, my favorite sister will probably always use this room, the grandparents get that room on the first floor,” etc.. In all cases I assume any of the bedrooms may at some point need to double up as a guest room. I always keep this in mind when I am designing the rooms and selecting furniture.
Guest Bedroom in New Seabury, Mashpee, MA
A soft background color, luxurious bedding, functional drapes, a generous nightstand and catch all basket complete the look.
Beautiful Bedside Features
A new quality mattress on a solid bed frame sets the stage, but in addition to the basics I like to provide a generous sized nightstand with a light that can be controlled without leaving the bed. A good sized nightstand will provide space to place a drink, phone, watch, book, glasses and whatever else guests want to have within arms reach as they are prepping for sleep. I also want the lighting to have a switch that can easily be turned on and off when the user is in bed. This can be a table lamp or sconce, whatever the design and space can accommodate. If the room is designated for a specific person that usually occupies the room, I like to have a drawer or some concealed storage in the nightstand. This allows for long term storage for their things, even when the room needs to be used by another guest. A basket is a great way to corral all of the extra things, like an additional throw, magazines and books, extra water or whatever a guest might need.
A Cozy Sitting Area
If you have the space, an additional sitting area is a great addition to your guest room. While guests may want to spend time visiting with you and whoever else they came with, it’s nice to have the option to get some alone time. This is also a great space for remote working without feeling like an entire desk needs to be set up. I like to offer a comfortable chair, task lighting and a side table .
Guest Bathrooms
Guest bathrooms need to be clean, organized and to the point. This bathroom remodel in Osterville, MA created additional storage behind the shower wall for open shelves. Open shelves allow guests to see exactly what is available to them without having to go digging through drawers and doors. The vanity was custom built so it is wall to wall and makes use of the complete space, leaving less nooks and crannies to collect dust and lost items. This also increased the storage for additional guest amenities. A wall to wall mirror increased the visual size of the bathroom and delicate sconces and pulls kept the design elegant.
Guest Bedroom in West Falmouth, MA
Great bedding and beautiful materials make all the difference.
Quality Bedding Welcomes Your Guests
Perhaps the most important detail is quality bed linens that envelope your guests as they sleep. While matching the sheets to the decor can be fun, a great white sheet set with hotel style detail on the leading edge is always a safe bet and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. High thread count, soft fibers, adjustable layers of blankets and pillows, these are all things that create comfort for your guests and allow them to sleep well while on vacation. I always suggest at least two sets of sheets per guest room, so as friends and family arrive and depart rooms can be changed up quickly.
If you need assistance designing and setting up your vacation home for summer guests, I would be honored to help. Reach out, and let's chat!
Until next time,
Molly