I love to travel. And I am admittedly a hotel snob. But I don’t always stay at hotels when I’m on the road. My husband & I will rent a villa or a condo or a small house when we plan on staying in the area for more than a few days. And of course, I will stay with family when we visit them. Well, usually. 🙂

One thing that really makes a trip more enjoyable for me is a nice guest room to stay in. There are some similarities in all of the best guest rooms I have stayed in or created for clients. Here are the key points:

First. And most importantly. Do NOT throw all of your unwanted furniture, art, bed linens and accessories into your guest bedroom – and then invite friends & family to stay there. Because if it is THAT bad, replace it.

You don’t have to spend a bucket of money to create a welcoming guest room. For example, above is a photo of a guest room that includes nightstands that were painted, a mirror previously in another room and inexpensive, but colorful bedding that welcomes guests.

Not all guest rooms are large enough to allow for two nightstands with bedside lighting, such as the space above. Simply install wall sconces or hang a light from the ceiling instead of taking up valuable tabletop space. Your guests are probably more interested in spending time with you than spending hours reading in bed.

If you have the space, add some seating to your guest room. This makes for a good place for your friends or family to sit and put their shoes on or relax and enjoy a few moments of silence before going to bed.

Comfortable bedding is key. Make sure you have soft sheets (my favorite are Cozy Earth brand!) and plenty of blankets for warmth – no matter the time of year. If you have the luxury, place an extra blanket and pillows in the closet, in case your guests wish to use.

Even if your windows have privacy, adding simple curtain panels is a great way to make the space more welcoming.

And finally, make sure there is designated closet space. that includes empty hangers for guests to use when they unpack their suitcase. A small chest of drawers or dresser in the room or in the closet is helpful to put smaller items as well.

Wouldn’t you like to stay in one of the rooms above? Guest rooms do not need as much detail or budget as your master bedroom, but they should say “welcome” to your loved ones.