The guest bedroom is an interesting situation, because it is a room that you will not use. Nobody will use it really, until such time as a family member or friend comes to stay. Then it will be their temporary home, within your home, until they leave again.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when you set out to decorate a guest bedroom is that you are not creating a second bedroom for yourself. You have a room, this is a space that has to be accommodating for just about anyone. As such, you are relatively limited in your decorative choices.
Basically you don’t want to be too bold. Anything which could be offensive, or make the room uncomfortable for a guest should be avoided. Try to use neutral tones when selecting colors. Anything which is too bright could be annoying, making your guest feel antsy and agitated. On the other hand dark colors can make the atmosphere morose and depressing, leaving them with a negative impression of their stay in your home.
There are a few essential furnishings that any good guest bedroom should have. The bed is of course the main necessity. Many people choose to use a futon which folds out into a bed, in order to double the functionality of the space. You should also include some sort of a night stand, or bedside table next to whatever bedding arrangement you have set up.
As far as accessories, an alarm clock is useful for just about everybody. Some people need the extra push to get them up in the morning, but even if they don’t, they might still like to know what time it is. Adding a second
wall clock or mantel timepiece couldn’t hurt either. In a way clocks are the perfect innocuous decorative piece, they won’t offend almost anyone, and they make the space more functional.
You should also have an extra set of clean sheets, bedding, pillows, and any other bedtime necessities that will make them feel more comfortable and at home. You can also opt to provide a set of pajamas, although you never know how big or small your potential guest will be.
Other pleasant items that you can include in the space are disposable toiletries, a small mirror, some reading material, and or a television. None of this is strictly necessary, but it can go a long way toward making someone feel comfortable in a space that is alien at best.
