How to Revamp Your Guest Room
The guest r
oom is usually one of the most neglected parts of a house. Since most people don’t have guests staying all that frequently, the guest room is rarely called upon to live up to its name, i.e., as a place for guests to sleep. Instead, all too often the guest room is a dumping ground for unwanted furniture, ironing, and every misplaced item you happen to own. So how can you ensure your guest bedroom is up to scratch for those times when you have to unexpectedly entertain a guest for the night?
Sleeping Arrangements in the Spare Room
Beds take up a lot of room, so unless you regularly entertain overnight guests, it makes little sense to have a huge bed taking up valuable floor space. Single beds are not much use since couples can’t be expected to sleep like sardines and standard double beds are a waste of space unless your guest bedroom happens to be vast. However, there are alternatives!
Loft beds are useful for smaller rooms where space is at a premium. A loft bed frees up floor space yet provides a functional bed. Double size loft beds can be acquired relatively cheaply, but if you are handy with the power tools you could always try constructing a bed frame from timber. Do be sure to test it yourself before inviting a guest to sleep over, or you could end up with a deeply unhappy guest.
Another option is to install a futon or sofa bed. These are useful for occasional guests, plus they can be moved into family rooms when extra seating is required.
De-clutter the Guest Room
Storage space is essential for any home, but if your spare room is a veritable dumping ground, you really need to address the issue. Buy some furniture from a website such as housejunkie.co.uk that looks attractive and also provides extra storage space. That way it won’t feel too crowded when guests stay over, but you can make good use of it when the room is empty.
If guests are imminent, you may also wish to spend a weekend sorting through everything and either sell it, give it away, or throw it in the bin. You might be surprised by what you discover lurking under the bed in your guest bedroom – and it might even be worth some money!
A Lick of Paint
Nothing brightens up a room more than a fresh coat of paint. Try and stay away from lurid colours and headache inducing floral print wallpaper for a spare room – unless you want to discourage repeat visits (it is also a good idea to avoid displaying your collection of arty nude photographs). Instead stick to neutral colours, both on the walls and in the soft furnishings.
Home Sweet Home
A quick and easy to way to make a guest room feel welcoming if you have visitors staying is to fill a few vases with fresh flowers and leave them in the room a day or so before your guests arrive. A couple of nice, soft towels to use during their stay and a couple of novels will also make them welcome.
