Creating The Perfect Guest Bedroom Retreat: 7 Essential Tips

Turn your guest bedroom into a guest retreat by implementing the special details and ideas that you’d expect to find at a five-star resort.

Jane Blanchard is here today from Modernize.com with some great tips for creating the perfect guest bedroom retreat. Once you implement these simple ideas, your guests will think they’re staying at a five-star resort!

Photo credit: “The House, Lately” copyright (c) 2012 Emily May on Flickr and made available under an Attribution 2.0 license

Guest Bedroom Retreat – 7 essential tips

Looking to turn your guest bedroom into a guest retreat? Think about the things you love in the bed & breakfasts, spas or resorts you’ve visited. Try to implement those details in your own guest bedroom. Here we’ve come up with some simple tips for turning your guest bedroom into a well-appointed, five-star accommodation. With these tips, you may find it difficult to get rid of your guests at the end of their visit.

1. Use high quality Bedding

Don’t skimp on the bedding! Start with a set of high-quality sheets and a warm, cozy comforter or duvet. Add a variety of pillows with various textures to create an inviting escape. A throw at the foot of the bed will add color and additional texture.

Photo credit: “blue and white mixed floral print bedding+letherette bed frame+antique cedar chest+barclay butera pillows+circles mirrors” copyright (c) 2010 Maegan Tintari on Flickr and made available under an Attribution 2.0 license

2. Stage a Sitting Area

Whether you have room for a couch and armchairs, a small love seat, or a single comfy reading chair, providing a place to relax in your guest bedroom shows that you have truly taken your guests’ comfort into consideration.

How do you create a sitting area? It’s easy! You just need a few items all situated in a way that enhances comfort and conversation.

The perfect sitting area will have:

• Chairs or couches
• Lighting and lamps
• Conversation pieces – coffee table books or art
• Tables for drinks and snacks

3. Share some Reading Material

Choose a few popular magazines and your favorite books, place them next to a fresh vase of flowers on a side table or desk near the coziest chair in the room.

Photo credit: “bed and books” copyright (c) 2007 Jocelyn Durston on Flickr and made available under an Attribution 2.0 license

4. Provide A Robe & Slippers

A luxurious detail, nothing screams ‘retreat’ more than a cozy robe and slippers. When you provide this for your guests, they will feel extra pampered.

5. Share your favorite Artwork

Just as you would adorn the walls of your own bedroom retreat, make sure not to neglect the walls in your guest bedroom retreat. Hang artwork with complementary colors, keeping with the general theme and aesthetic of the room.

An extra-special touch could be displaying art from local artists. This will help your out of town guests get to know the area a bit better.

6. Give Your guests Chocolate

Who doesn’t love a sweet treat? This small gesture is sure to make your guests feel welcome and appreciated in your home. Don’t think your guests will enjoy chocolates? Try bottled water, lotion, tea or whatever thoughtful amenities might be most appreciated.

Photo credit: “Beachbrights Guest Bedroom” copyright (c) 2012 Christy Bright on Flickr and made available under an Attribution 2.0 license

7. Give access to Coffee

Allow your guests the comfort and privacy of enjoying a cup of coffee on their own before emerging from the retreat you’ve created. A single-serving coffee maker is especially deluxe.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend, so we buy ice cream.” But if you’ve implemented some of these ideas for your guest room, there will likely be no need for any ice cream.

Okay, maybe just a pint of Rocky Road.

More Home Decor Ideas

While you’re here, be sure to check out other home decor ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®. You may especially enjoy: 

• How to Make a Fabric Headboard on a Budget
• Guest Room Art: Free Printable Welcome Sign
• Easy Nightstand Decor for Your Bedroom in 5 Quick Steps

Originally published February 2015. Updated February 2019.