Guest Rooms

Host Joan Kohn explores with designers Leanne Croft and Michelle Shields the elements that make a guest room welcoming and comfortable.

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Filed under: Decorating, Bedrooms

A comfortable, inviting guest room lets visitors know they are always welcome.

Host Joan Kohn explores with designers Leanne Croft and Michelle Shields the elements that make a guest room welcoming and comfortable.

Guest rooms often are at the bottom of the decorating list, but they shouldn’t be, since they are the one room your guests will remember.
Since you are decorating the room not just for one person but for many, keep the design scheme simple. Be sure to include ample storage.

All the furniture in this guest room for the grandchildren was customized with the same paint treatment for a uniform look.

When designing a guest room in a new home, you may want to position the room away from the rest of the family bedrooms for more privacy.

The size and shape of the new guest room will depend on how it will be used, whether for long- or short-term guests. If guests stay a while, you may want to include a large closet and sitting area.

A neutral color palette and simple decor in the guest room will keep the room appealing to anyone.

Don’t let the guest room become a repository for outdated or mismatched furniture. Try streamlining the look by treating all the furniture to a matching paint job, whether it is crackled, faux-finished, etc.

A guest bath doesn’t have to be as grand as other baths, but it can be warmed up with charming accessories. Good storage space, especially hooks, is an important and necessary addition.