26 Designer Guest Bedroom Ideas and Essentials

Setting up a guest bedroom with easy access to a bathroom is always a good idea, even if it isn’t a private en-suite restroom. In this warm yet polished bedroom designed by Heidi Caillier, a pocket door (which is a major space-saver!) leads right to a small bathroom.

Hang a full length mirror so your guests have somewhere to evaluate their outfits before you to introduce them to everyone (just kidding). But really, houseguests will definitely appreciate having easy access to a full-length mirror since when living out of a suitcase. A mirror will also make a small guest bedroom feel larger. In this room at the Kinsley Hotel designed by Robert McKinley Studio, the extra hooks are also great for coats, robes, and towels.

Place a bench at the end of the bed to give the room a refined feel. And if you bring your guests breakfast in bed, you automatically earn a reputation as the best host ever. Giving them somewhere to sit other than the bed also diminishes the likelihood of spillage on the bedding.

Be sure to leave them water on their bedside table so they don’t feel like they need to get up in the middle of the night in search of a tap. In this bedroom designed by Analisse Taft, a simple glass carafe complements the classic-meets-contemporary design.

Provide your guests with some reading material in case they forgot to pack their own. Stacking floating shelves or a credenza like this one with books will also make a guest room feel homier and more personal. Sheer blinds in a recessed track filter the light in this bedroom designed by Regan Baker.

Whether you’re providing them with extra blankets or installing a ceiling fan, make sure you set your guests up for comfort with some sort of climate regulation tools. In this vacation home in Maui, Hawaii designed by Breeze Giannasio, the ceiling fan complements the tropical wood vaulted ceiling.

When you don’t have an actual guest bedroom, maximize another room in the house by building out a nook. Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Koenig and architect Gil Schafer has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” says Schafer.

It’s always a good idea to bring in plenty of greenery for a balanced, lively environment. In this bedroom designed by Lauren Nelson, she opted for a peaceful look with tall branches bunched together in an understated vase to match the cool California minimalism of the rest of the home.

You can’t go wrong with twin beds featuring classic white bedding and headboards that match the wallpaper. Embroidered coverlets give them a formal, traditional look, while gingham skirts are a delightfully playful finish.

If all the rooms in your home are occupied or you just need to set up an extra guest bedroom, use your attic space. If the ceilings are low or sloped, keep everything low to the ground light to polish things off. This bedroom designed by McLaren.Excell is a lesson in restraint.

Not all room dividers are folding screens. You can get crafty! Interior designer Leanne Ford hung a curtain in this attic office nook to make it serve double duty as a guest room.

A window seat is a great addition to a guest bedroom. It’ll give them somewhere to cozy up in that isn’t the communal living room. A dresser is also a nice touch, in case they’d like to unpack any of their belongings.

Give guests a little seating area so they have somewhere private to unwind that isn’t just the bed. A simple reading nook will do, but if there’s enough room, add a loveseat and a small coffee table. This mini living room in a gorgeous chalet bedroom designed by Kylee Shintaffer is truly aspirational.

If you’re a household that still has landlines installed, make sure there’s one in the guest bedroom, too. It could come in handy if your guest’s cell phone needs recharging, and if you don’t get good cell service, this is even more essential.

When space is limited and you don’t want to shop for new, bulky furniture, use a chair as a side table and install wall sconces to save surface space. A cheerful color, like this pale turquoise hue, is also a good idea to set a happy mood.

Add a mini bar to give your guests extra privacy and a hotel vibe, especially if your guest bedroom is actually inn it’s own private structure away from the main house. Just don’t forget to keep it empty once they depart. For style inspiration, it doesn’t get better than this summery set up by Robert McKinley Studio.

Placings towels on the bed before your guests arrive leaves out the guesswork and shows them they’re welcome. This bedroom designed by Shari Francis has bonus storage space above the closet, which may not be convenient for everyday items but is perfect for extra suitcases or outerwear—but make sure you clear out enough space for guests when they visit!

Want to take things to the next level? Make your guest room feel like a hotel by putting the things they’ll need throughout their stay right there in the room, like a robe, slippers, and makeup remover.

If your home doesn’t have enough space for a guest room but you host a lot, make one of the other rooms in the house (like the family room or home office) serve double duty. Just put a daybed in a corner—make it super cozy and comfortable with tons of pillows and throws.

Keep things streamlined, with clutter at a minimum, and bring in darker colors for a sense of intimacy and coziness. Bedside sconces are a guaranteed way to make your bedroom look and feel as fresh as a five-star hotel room.