5 Items Designers ALWAYS Put in Their Guest Rooms
The result: A welcoming and well-appointed escape.
Want to be the host with the absolute most? A well-appointed guest room can help. Whether you’re welcoming friends over a long weekend or immediate family for an extended stay, it’s important to create a designated area for visitors: Somewhere that’s warm and welcoming, but gives guests their own space to unwind after a long day away from home.
You don’t need a spacious wing to host your favorite people—a small, spare room will suffice—but you do need to stock it with the most hospitable essentials. “Take note on your next hotel stay,” recommends Sarah Hart, a Charleston-based interior designer. “What amenity was there that you were truly grateful for? Think about yourself in this room and what you'd need if you forgot to pack everything... and couldn't leave to buy anything.”
Ahead, interior designers share the items that should be in every guest room. The next time you have guests over, you can flex your hosting muscle in style.
A Welcoming Spread
First impressions matter, which is why designers always stock their guest rooms with welcoming essentials. Kim Gettenberg of Redefine Home loves to fill a room with lotion, hairspray, razors, and toothbrushes in case her guests forgot anything. Kate Hartman loves to outfit a space with robes, slippers, and a water carafe, while Soucie Horner Design Collective’s Martin Horner leaves fresh flowers, a hand-written note, and a framed photo with the guest du jour.
“Don’t forget to write out the Wi-Fi password,” he adds. “In fact, you can put that in a frame, too!”
Regardless of which idea piques your interest, Katie Labourdette-Martinez of Hearth Homes Interiors says it’s possible to add a thoughtful touch on the cheap. “These details don't require a large budget, but they immediately make guests feel comfortable, cared for, and at home,” she says.
RELATED: 10 Bedroom Decorating Mistakes Designers Want You to Avoid
Spectacular Sheets
“Beautiful bedding is the heart of every welcoming guest bedroom, as it is the first thing visitors notice and the element they will experience most intimately,” says interior designer Ania Agárdy. “A ‘well-dressed’ bed not only elevates the room's aesthetic but also ensures a restful night's sleep, which is the ultimate luxury every host can offer.”
Translation: Instead of relegating your old bedding to the guest area, invest in soft sheets, and a high-quality duvet. Hart agrees and says she always places an extra blanket in a guest room’s closet for optimal comfort.
Pillow Options
Speaking of bedding, don’t overlook your pillows. Since everyone has their own sleeping positions and preferences, a pillow can really make or break a guest’s sleep. So why not give them some options? “A variety of pillow options also allows guests to customize their experience,” says Wyleigh Myers of Rumor Designs in Colorado. “When a guest sleeps well, they are guaranteed to enjoy their stay and the space you have provided.
Minneapolis designer Heather Peterson provides a firm and soft pillow to give her guests the best of both worlds.
Luggage Rack
According to the pros, the best guest rooms are the spaces that give visitors plenty of space to unpack and get settled. Many designers insist on clearing a guest room’s closet before your inner circle arrives, but it also doesn’t hurt to add a luggage rack.
“The best guest rooms anticipate needs before someone has to ask,” explains Nicole Forina of Forina Design & Co. “A luggage rack or place to set down a suitcase and unpack a few things also goes a long way toward making someone feel genuinely welcome rather than just accommodated."
Bonus points: Luggage racks can usually fold up when idle, so it won’t take up too much space.
Layered Lighting
It’s really not up for debate: Every room needs a healthy mix of task and ambient lights. However, if you’re looking to make guests feel at home, a layered glow is key. “Guests should be able to read in bed, get ready comfortably, or wind down without relying on one overhead light,” says designer Ellie Christopher.
Table lamps will streamline their bedtime routine, but if you want to go the extra mile? Leave a clip-on reading light on the nightstand.
RELATED: The Home Lighting Mistakes Designers Want You to Avoid
Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance journalist who has over a decade of experience in print and digital media. She covers interior design and lifestyle content for a breadth of publications, including Good Housekeeping, Country Living, House Beautiful, Veranda, and more. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.
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