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Decorate a Guest Bedroom

Tips to help your decorate a guest bedroom for when guests need to stay overnight.

The family is getting together for the holidays and your home is going to be turned into a guest house for a few days and you need it to be perfect, especially because your mother-in-law is one of the guests that will be spending a few nights. Does this sound like a nightmare to you? It does not have to be.

With a practical approach and a few creative ideas, your family will be talking about staying over at your house for a long time. And luckily this opportunity only comes around once a year. The trick is to simply keep in mind what you have seen during your stay at other people’s homes and even at your favourite guest house – remember when people stay over at your home, they are actually taking a break from theirs and therefore you need to make their stay as comfortable and pleasurable as possible. And you don’t have to empty your savings account to do so.

Bed and mattress

Nothing is more uncomfortable than a worn out bed, with springs sticking into your back. Regularly check the state of the mattress in your guest bedroom. If your mattress does not feel too comfortable, you have a few options to consider. Firstly you can see if it will help to turn over the mattress. If this doesn’t work, you will most definitely have to replace it. If the base is still fine, buying a new mattress won’t be too expensive. You also do not have to buy the crème de la crème of mattresses for your guest room, but a good quality mattress will ensure more comfort and will last longer.

Bedding upgrade

Consider the state of the bedding and linen in your guest bedroom. If the bedding is relatively new, the colours are still bright and there are no holes or loose ends you can just get it cleaned properly for a fresh appearance. As you do not spend much time in your guestroom it often happens that the linen deteriorates without you noticing it, the colours fade and the hems starts fraying. Luckily these days your get really affordable bedding but ensure that the colours you decide on compliments the furniture and style of you guestroom.

Wall service

Nothing can add sparkle to a room faster than a new coat of paint; a fresh and modern design wallpaper or some wall art. After you have decided on the theme and colour scheme of your guestroom, you can choose a wall covering that will compliment your decision. Light, warm colours always make a room feel more cosy and homey whilst cool colours will add a fresh, open appearance to your room. If you do decide on wall paper, take care that it is not too busy and overwhelming as this might make your guest feel restless and uncomfortable.

Flooring

If you have tile or wooden floors, you can make your guestroom look and feel cosier by adding a colourful rug. Select a thick, fluffy colour that speaks of elegance and comfort.

The perfect guestroom should have …

Glasses and water: No guest room should be without them, and bottled water is a thoughtful addition.
Table: A small desk where your guest can write or work at is always a good idea.
Comfortable chair: A comfortable sofa chair is a nice addition to any guestroom as your guests do not always want to sit on the bed when they want to relax.
Nightstands: Bedside tables are a must in a good guest bedroom.
Bedside lamp: Don’t leave your guests in the dark. Bedside lamps are essential for their comfort and make an elegant statement.
Blinds and thick curtains: Seeing that your guest is on holiday, he would most likely want to sleep later than usual. Keep the early morning light out with blinds or a set of thick curtains.
Scatter cushions: The fewer the better, but they do brighten up the office and guest room.
Towels and soap: Sharing a bathroom is one of the most difficult parts of an overnight stay. Make it more comfortable for your guests by greeting your guests with neatly laid out crisp, fresh towels and a pretty soap on each side of the bed.
Fresh flowers: Welcome your guests with some fresh flowers in the bedroom - always one of the cheapest and most versatile ways to brighten up any room.
Ornaments and art: Decorate your guestroom with a few selected ornaments and artwork - but stick to the mood and theme of the room.

A place to put a suitcase: Clear a space to put a luggage rack or a small table or bench to set down a suitcase. No one likes to bend down to the floor to pull out a clean pair of clothes or socks.
Space to hang or put clothing: Clear a few shelves in your guestroom cupboard or a drawer in order to give guests that are staying for a while space to put their clothes because no one feels welcome when they have to live out of their suitcase. Also remember to leave a few hangers for them to use.
Clock: If you know that your guest should leave at a certain time, put an alarm clock in the room so that he / she can set it and get up on time.
Extra blankets and linen: No one knows what the weather is going to be like these days, so ensure that your guest is covered if it should get cold suddenly. A few extra pillows and clean sheets are also necessary as people’s needs differ.
Candles: With the state of electricity being what it is in South Africa it is better to prepare your guest for any situation.
TV with remote and TV guide / radio: If you have a spare TV or radio, put it in the guestroom for their convenience when they struggle to sleep or want to listen to the news.
Fan / heater: Relieve extreme heat or keep the cold out by adding these appliances to your guest’s room.

Remember to:

Ensure that the doors and windows don’t squeak.
Check that everything in the guestroom is working properly.
Not clutter the bed with too many cushions or teddy bears.
Ensure that you have extra sleeping space in the form of sleeper couches or blow up mattresses if you should get more guests than you have room for. It is also important to ensure that these guests are comfortable too and also get similar luxuries as the guests staying in the guestroom.